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Seaking, I don't think your timing is correct. IMO, they are not at apogee. Just last week I decided I wanted my first true tablet (not counting E-ink e-readers and various laptops). I'm a technical type, active over at Ars Technica, and I know all about Amazon's latest Fires and Google's Nexus 10.
I still chose the latest iPad. It isn't strictly about the hardware specification, not to me and not to the general public. Too many people don't get this. They say the Nexus has better hardware so the Apple must come in second. Wrong!
The ecosystem is what sells and what sold me. The number of tablet-optimized apps for iOS far exceeds Android apps. My head exploded reviewing the near-endless case variations for iPads (or any other accessory you care to choose). iTunes sells 99% of the media I care about. iCloud works well enough for my automated cloud needs (though I'm also a happy user of Skydrive and Sugarsync). iOS remains the most responsive to the user, despite Android getting a lot closer with 4.1. Google Now may be slightly more accurate than Siri but Siri is hooked into the device better (setting reminders for example).
Oh, and if the latest iPad's hardware is slacking, it isn't slacking by enough to matter. Battery life is insanely good (roughly 13 hours use on each of the first two charges, BT off but lots of Netflix over wifi) and overall display quality (color, resolution, viewing angle, brightness) is top shelf.
Have you taken a close look at the newest "retina" MacBook Pro? Too expensive for me but a totally awesome laptop. Sony's Vaio line competes but, guess what, at the same price or higher (and with more mixed reliability reports).
So, in sum, I'm arguing that Apple is not just about to topple. I don't doubt they will but not so soon as you think.
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