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I fall firmly on the side that the iPad is an internet appliance. If you can't go out and buy apps from someone other than Apple then it's an appliance. A darn nice one but still not a general purpose device. Assuming that Archos is the same as last year, you have to buy plug-ins from them noone else offers them.
If the iPad were Mac OS and allowed you to load Mac OS compatible software from anywhere then I would call it a PC.
I've been with Verizon Wireless for many years because for me they have the best coverage but VW is infamous for their walled in phones. That's why the iPhone isn't on VW because Verizon wants to install their own operating software. (Besides the ATT exclusivity agreement.) I've been told that by both CS and a friend of mine who is an engineer there. IMO, the iPhone, Touch, and iPad are Apple's version of Verizon's walled in garden. Those devices are quite capable but you're still locked in to using them exactly as Apple proscribes unless you jailbreak. When Apple allows you to buy Apps from somewhere else besides the iTunes app store then those devices will be closer to a general purpose PC.
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