I-Pad - the new travel computer?

Apple is coming out with the I-Pad this week and aside from it being a pretty cool computer, it also looks like it's going to be rather hand in travel!   In a nut shell the I-Pad is a big version of the I-Phone but it can do more, and less.  It's not a phone, but it also does more computer-wise.

I'm excited about this new gadget is that many believe it could eventually replace the laptop as the traveler's choice for on the go internet access.  As someone that flies often and lugs my laptop with me through airports worldwide, it would be great to slim down and have one of these bad boys with me when I travel.

Similarly to the iPhone (which I own and love), the iPad will include many great travel apps. From Lonely Planet's 1,000 Ultimate Experiences, which comes with a plethora of photos and travel destination information, to Google Maps, there are already more than enough travel geek goodies ready to download on the iPad.

This new computer will be priced at $499 and will go up from there.   It has a 9.7 inch touch screen and works off WiFi.  It weights just 1.5 pounds and it's super thin at just 1/2 inch thick.  It will use over 10,000 current apps from the App Store so go ahead and download your favorite travel apps.  Great Travel Apps.  Apple claims it'll last 10 hours on it's battery but users have been reporting cases of the I-Pad lasting 12 and 13 hours!

(the soon to be dead Kindle?)