Every computer manufacturer has dreamed of a tiny, self contained computing device. HP made a slate years ago very similar to the iPad's size. I had one and it was a truly revolutionary device. Unfortunately, they were expensive and not supported fully from the software side, and battery life and performance we minimal.
The point is, the iPad is great, but it did not create a "revolution". Technology is creating the revolution. The iPad is just the first affordable version to come along, but it did not invent the concept. There will be many more. Some of these "benfits" of the other devices will not matter to many users. I expect the iPad to continue selling strong. It has great app support and Apple has a good reputation for building solid hardware.
A lot of devices will be out soon. Some people will prefer those over the iPad, some people will prefer the iPad. Each one will have its unique appeal to a certain kind of consumer.
Personally, I would like to see one with a real OS and an optional Wacom pen for drawing, handwriting and sketching in notes. There are some slates already out with both touchscreen and Wacom pens, but they are very expensive.
Basically I think you did make some good points. But about the revolution part, all due respect, I disagree.
Technology is technology, and it is creating innovation, not revolution. A revolution is a phenomena that leads a group of people, a industry, or a country to a different level or condition. Thus, I think that many of Apple products created a "revolution".
A revolution is marked more depend on the result, but not the beginning, not the process, nor how innovative it looks. Such as iPod, it doesn't have anything superior to any other competitors, but with the special design and marketing strategy, it changed the way of people see a MP3 player, and significantly changed the industry as how a MP3 should be like.
Same as the iPhone, it lacks of many core features when if first released, and lack of many highly requested features even now, but it has changed the whole smartphone world, every single manufacture is copying the iPhone's industrial design, UI concept, app icons design, even the style of the marketing slogans... that's called revolution.
Now, it's the iPad's turn. It doesn't have to be superior in hardware specification, but the user experience of the product as ONE is just SUPERB. Isn't it? Everyone in the industry is aiming and willing to challenge the huge success of the iPad, showing all different kind of reactions, like it's the biggest public enemy ever. Microsoft even declared that they've got 20 other companies together ready for fighting with the iPad. Wow, what in the world? Is this 9.7 inch tablet really possible of being so frightening? Well, it is just the way of being revolutionary. Right?
