Catharine Smith is a nice person, I’m sure.  Quite an accomplished writer- after all, she’s on Huffington Post. And she wrote a nice story on iPad alternatives. But Catherine, you need to understand something.  There are no alternatives to the iPad. None. Anywhere. I know you meant well.  But- no.  The iPad is the Single Greatest Invention In The History Of The World. So logically, that limits your options.  Why is it The Greatest?  El Jobso said so. (Disclaimer time: I have to admit, I like HP. Guilty pleasure.)