To iPad or not to iPad?

So John says I need one and I wonder why? What will I do with it? What will I use it for?

To help me answer these questions, I've been researching the iPad on the internet and messing around with our iPod Touch to see what other things I could be using that for besides Angry Birds, Quick Cues and Me Moves (two apps for kids with Aspergers and ADHD respectively).

For starters, after spending 30 minutes on the Apple website, I didn't come up with more than the iPad being a large smart phone without the telephone capabilities. Since I have a feeling there's more to it than that, I started looking into blogs and articles about the iPad.

The first issue I see is Internet access. An iPad would work great for me to do some work while sitting at appointments or swimming lessons or karate or, well you get the idea waiting for my kids. However, I'd have to pay the extra money for the 3G and then pay for monthly access fees. Guess I'll just use my iPhone for email, etc. while waiting.

I love to read and iPad has a Kindle and Nook app along with its own e-reader. Great  - but it's more expensive than just buying a Kindle. So if that's all I'm going to use it for that doesn't make sense either.

I'm not in marketing or sales and don't do trade shows so don't need the option of showing a demo or presentation quickly.

However, I do give presentations and am on different committees where I could really use the information access without dragging along my laptop and worrying about the battery life. And we are a technology company so keeping up-to-date with technology and our customers is a must. And my kids would really love the games, movies and books on long car rides. Who am I kidding - I would too!

Your thoughts?

So, I definitely don't need to shell out the extra money for the 3G version and I really don't "need" an iPad but it would be really cool and fun. And I could use it for work and community involvement. What a dilemma.