...the mobile companion to my office network. Since the early 80s, I have envisioned the mobility to which dinoscr and Cynyster alluded. I have a mental block preventing me from moving 30 years worth of valuable business information out from behind a solid firewall. But, with the IPad, and the netbook before it, I can securely access that data while out of the office. And, when I carry both the IPad and the netbook (which is most of the time), I am able to troubleshoot almost any network issues that don't require the "fluke set".
Look at it this way - a honking powerful desktop plus a wi-fi tablet provides much more flexibility at or below the cost of a honking powerful laptop. No, the tablet is not competition for desktops or notebooks/netbooks; it is the best companion.
On a slightly related note, I wish MS could grasp this concept and adjust win8 accordingly before we get another Vistall.