By now, you know that Apple
What happened?
Apple has famously avoided introducing a netbook for more than a year. As Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook said last January:
We're watching [the netbook] space. But, right now from our point of view the products in there are principally based on hardware that's much less powerful than we think customers want. Software technology that is not good, cramped keyboards, small displays.
Of these issues, the iPad only addresses software. Apple customized its iWork suite for the iPad, and all 100,000-plus iPhone apps can be used on the device.
Winners
I think the success stories here are companies that already have similar technology. Let Apple recreate the tablet category; then others can file in with equally good or even better technology. Hewlett-Packard
Losers
There's one way in which the iPad's silly name works: It connects the device to its iPod heritage. This isn't a low-grade Mac, Fool -- it's a souped-up iPod touch. Consequently, I'm not convinced that Dell
How to play it
There are a few ways to play the iPad's proximity to the netbook market. HP might fare best, given what we know about its prowess with touchscreens. Google
Yet I find myself most drawn to Logitech
Do you agree? Disagree? Make your voice heard using the comment box below, then check out the rest of our series on how the iPad could change the world.