[eronel]

One option is the MacBook Air. I'm a student and considered the iPad for the same reasons you mentioned. I settled on the MBA instead because I'm a touch typist and the physical keyboard is a big plus; because I had a lot of software already for the Mac; and because it is a full fledged computer for nearly the same price.

I have found that it's so ultra-portable and easy to carry around. Also, now that I've been up and running with it for a year, if I had an iPad I think it would be too similar to my iPodT/iPhone. The MBA fills a different niche.

Anyway, FWIW in making your choices....