Not an iPad post...

So the iPad got released. Good news maybe?

I should be nice, as Apple makes a really nice product. Just read that Apple holds 91% share of the premium PC market. That's not shabby. Of course, that really indicates the kind of people who mainly buy the product: rich folks.

Before you get peeved, simmer down there. Not just rich folks buy Apple computers, but given the choice between a $599 PC and a $1199 Apple computer for the typical computer user, which do you think most would buy? Other analogies don't quite work: homes and cars can be resold, houses are financed, and TV prices vary as much simply within a brand.

So what's the deal with the prices? I'm not rich by any means, nor does my profession dictate that I have an Apple computer. Would it be nice? I think so, but in the end, my hobbies wouldn't be justified in spending the extra monies towards it.

So as the iPad is released, what's a humble wage earner to do to take part in the tablet revolution? Well, a few weeks ago, CrunchGear.com posted an article about seven alternatives to the iPad; today a follow up with seven more alternatives were posted. And that brings us to here, allowing you my faithful readers, to hear my wonderful take on all of this hullabaloo.

[Shameless plug alert!] A while back, I started a brief series about eBooks in general and simply raised the question about them in the world of physical books. Personally, I've been using a tablet laptop for my eReading. Yes, it's heavy and is slow to get going, but overall it does the job fine.

As I read today's article by Matt Burns, I thought about what I had written and what I've read about the iPad. Surprisingly enough, I can't find enough out there about good alternatives to the iPad. Hell, I had great difficulty finding a suitable alternative for the iPod; it honestly does not exist at the moment. But for the iPad? It's waaay to early to say that it will be the best. I remember the hype surrounding the MacBook Air upon it's release, but now...

And that's the point. Apple, to quote a really good writer, is "full of sound and fury" but not always perfect. Personally, the one that I think has the potential to do well is the Neofonie WePad. Of course, you can find a more specific comparison here. Another that has a bit less potential (but still my fave here...) is the Joojoo.

Will it beat it? Too early to tell. Fact is, ask me in six months. By that point, the fanboys will have made up their minds about the iPad, griped about the issues, and other manufacturers will have taken note and addressed it.

And that's where the rubber meets the road. Not the initial buyers. Not fanboys who clamor for the latest gadgets. It's the suburban mother of two with a million things going on who doesn't have the time to relearn the wheel. I'll probably be in line about a week just before her, but that's just me taking my time, doing my research, and saving my money.

Which tablet do you think will come out on top? Will it just be hyped sales or real deal performance?

Shazam!