Very thoughtful. I agree in principle, but I'm holding out for one where you can detach the keyboard entirely. Something like a large Archos, with a USB HID port for a portable keyboard. I'd even accept WinCE, Maemo or Android as the operating system, rather than Windows proper. Some parts-bin engineer in Taiwan, Korea or China should be coming up with one any day.
I had hopes for the iPad, which seems to have a form-factor like this, but it seems aPple is being aNal, and won't allow a simple USB connection. It has to control the USB ... sPecial. gOd forbid you should attach a non-camera SD card. (gAsp!)
Regards,
Jack Tingle