In Higher Ed the iPad is turning out to be pretty useful. It can replace books in some instances. Our main library already checks iPads out for student use.
I have also seen that hospitals are picking it up as a way to review patient records and even using it in the OR for Xrays, etc.

For IT support people it is great for remote support of servers via SSH or RDP and web based remote desktop assistance.

As to writing, yes it takes a little getting use to the virtual keyboard but I can still do content management on many of my websites since they are CMS's systems like Concrete5, Drupal, etc.

It has its place for me in Higher Ed.