I don't currently own an iPad. I had no idea they were coming out until about a month before their release.
Before I knew of them, I mentioned to my father that I'd love to have a Kindle, so he bought me one for Christmas. However, I really wished he'd have gotten me an iPad. He did, however, buy himself an iPad after I sent him the video link from the Apple store. His was one of the very first released.
I wanted a Kindle because I'm an author and was thinking about publishing to Kindle format (I have done this already and my first book in a series of three is now available at iBooks! Whoo hoo!)
Anyway, I've been participating in the Kindle boards and the hatred for iPad users is thick over there. Having used both the Kindle and iPad I can say there is NO comparison to the two. The Kindle is an e-reader and the iPad is SO MUCH MORE.
I don't understand the vehemence a lot of people have toward Apple products. Again, I've used both Mac and Window's based PC's for years. I can say, from my experience and type of use, the only good thing the Window's based PC's are better for are playing games and getting viruses.
This comment is in no way meant to offend those that prefer the Window's based PC's. I was brought up with an Apple in the house and that could easily explain my preference. (Though... isn't Windows based on the Apple model?)