Being an avid Apple fan (my Apple products have included a Macbook, an iMac, iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G, and numerous iPods), needless to say I was interested in what had become the most anticipated piece of technology since the iPhone, the Apple iPad. I’ve gotta tell you – I’m mostly underwhelmed.

In my mind, I wanted a device that was basically a Macbook with a multi-touch, swivel screen, a la most tablet computers. I anticipated Apple to beef up the computing power, and have a lower price point than when the Macbook was introduced. Here are the primary reasons I’m not thrilled, and subsequently won’t buy, the iPad.

1. It’s basically a big iPhone. I own an iPhone, and my eyes aren’t so bad that I need something bigger. Oh, wait – it doesn’t make calls. And what’s that? You have to pay for 3G access monthly?
2. I love my Nook. Therefore, I don’t care that the iPad is being billed as a “magical device” that will revolutionize e-readers.
3. The price is TOO low. I mean, such a “revolutionary” piece of hardware at such a low price? This just isn’t Apple to me. There must be a lot of corners that have been cut here.
4. The name. I mean, come on.

These things being said, however, I can see a niche group of folks for whom this will be perfect. Photographers, filmmakers, graphic artists, etc. who want to have a quick way to show their work to folks when they’re out, without their laptop, could foreseeably make use of this.

Maybe Apple will get the picture, but I know I speak on behalf of a lot of folks when I say to Apple, “We want a tablet computer, not a big iPhone.”

What are your thoughts?