JW: I know I'll be getting the "best" onaccountabecause it's a Mac AND it's an iPad.
The question is "How large is reasonable/necessary for the olde guy to expect someone else to afford"?
Paddy: I've had the same experience. Of all my Mac pals here-there-everywhere, only my audiologist has one and she reacts similarly to your friend. She never has had a lap top – though her offices/home are all-Mac – so she hasn't experienced/enjoyed the merits of a MacBook, thus some of her unbridled enthusiasm for her 64 gig may arise from that, but I hear (so to speak) from her the same reports as your friend. Not an appointment with her has transpired over the last 2 months or so absent another iPad "tutorial". I received my first iPad/e-message from her (on vacation) a couple of day ago. Her iPhone is loaded with beaucoup pics and music. I have a sneaking suspicion that my son who is an outside sales rep will also be interested in seeing its functioning, even though his company gives him an armor-plated Winderz machine.
As I've thought about my current MacBook usage (now that I no longer travel), probably 90% of the interests for which I estimate an iPad would/could easily replace my MB-P are:- e-mail retrieval/dispatch
- checking the "news" throughout the day
- other web surfing (TeeEss. TiDBits, investment/business/political sites et al)
I don't yet know how easy manipulating downloaded photos may be to effect. I need to query the guys at the Apple Store about that.
I have the skinny wireless keyboard with my iMac/Intel 27. and I'm guessing it can easily be paired if and when I thought it useful to do so. I am going to be VERY interested to see if I can pair the bluetooth streamer accessory of my Oticon hearing aids with it. Now that would be remarkable. What that streamer has done for my iPhone has been little short of miraculous.
My e-book reading became really important (say 95% of my "book" reading) about 6 months ago when I got a Kindle. It has been truly w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l! The appearance of iPad's e-reader is quite compelling (to say the least), but not a central reason I'm interested in it. That could change, of course.
So thanks for the "field report". I genuinely appreciate it.
Stay tuned.
ABD
QUOTE
I know I have asked before, but with your younguns movin on, just remember I'm still available for adoption and it's accompanying accoutrements.
Duly noted. But, please recall they are 25, 22, 16, 11 & 8. With this transfer-of-MB-P-technology each and every one will be, finally, a Macster!
QUOTE
I don't yet know how easy manipulating downloaded photos may be to effect. I need to query the guys at the Apple Store about that.
I don't think I'd want to do that on the small iPad screen, even if there were an app to do that.
I assumed you'd do that well before loading them onto the Pad, since they would already be on your iMac, where Elements is installed. I seriously doubt that Adobe will create an iPad version of that program.
The conversion process is about as simple as it can get. But that's fodder for another thread, me thinks. 
QUOTE
with this transfer-of-MB-P-technology each and every one will be, finally, a Macster!
See, that's one less process you'd need to go through!
All you'll need to do is et a new iMac and give me your current one! I'll even pay for the shipping! See, it's really simple and easy, just treat me as one of your "kids" and 'hand-me-down' one of your Macs!
QUOTE
then you will be wondering who to pass this one on to...
HA! Get in line behind me, lady!