The iPad is definitely an Apple device, it is lacking certain features, which will no doubt be introduced in the next few versions, features like SMS messaging, a camera, multi-tasking etc are missing. A couple of cameras on this thing would have been a boon, one on the back for photos and one on the front for video conferencing, but no you'll have to wait until the next version for that or maybe the version after that.
The iPad has a processor that is more than capable of running two or more apps at the same time, but as with the iPhone, the iPad can only run one app, until they allow the iPad to multi-task it will never be anything more than an executive toy.
Also the fact that Apple have essentially decided to use a new micro SIM card rather than the standard one, means that you are essentially tied to the one carrier until the others catch on and start releasing them, this will no doubt take a while as the only device capable of using them is the iPad and that will be locked to AT&T, so even if you jailbreak the iPad, you won't be able to take your SIM out of your mobile and use it in the iPad.
I have an iPod Touch and I love it, it's by no means perfect, but it's OK. But Apple's habit of tweaking existing standards and realeasing features slowly across multiple devices really does leave a bad taste in the mouth, yes Apple is a business and their aim is to make money, but do they really have to do that by screwing over their loyal customers?