As it stands, the ipad can’t fully replace a laptop or desktop computer, however in my opinion this has more to do with the ipads requirement to be registered and synced via a computer.
I’ve heard rumours that Apples Mobileme service may be offered for free soon, if this is the case then I think the ability to register and sync the ipad via a wireless or data connection to a ‘cloud’ version of iTunes would be a major step towards negating the need for the user to own another computer.
There’s already a wireless syncing app for jailbroken devices, so we know it can be done, however a cloud version of iTunes would be the next obvious step, being able to store and manage your iTunes library in the cloud would really set the ipad free!

