I ordered an iPad (which shipped today) without having a clear idea of how we (Barb and I) would use it. Surf the web, check email, maybe read a book or two.

After watching the guided tours that went up on the Apple website today, I think I underestimated this little slab of magic. I was very impressed with the Keynote app. That’s the Apple version of PowerPoint. I can easily imagine whipping up a presentation while waiting for a flight.

Pages looked awfully good, too. I’d call it a word processor but it looks like a lot more on the iPad. I have Pages on all my Macs but rarely use it. I think I might on the iPad.

We won’t know until people get their hands on the iPad and start playing with it, but I think it’s going to become THE computer (or whatever we wind up calling it) for a lot of folks. If I had to guess, I’d say that 90% of the stuff that most folks doing on a laptop will be easier and more fun on the iPad.

I assume I was one thousands Apple fans waiting in front of their computers to pre-order the iPad. I imagine a computer deep in the marketing department at Cupertino, with Apple execs standing around, watching a counter whiring ever-faster.

The iPhone had people standing in line. I can’t think of many products that generated such interest and demand. A few gaming boxes but they didn’t have the broad appeal of these Apple devices.

iPads will begin shipping April 3rd.