>However, considering it's pitched as a casual usage device (Jobs even premiered it from a couch), half a grand is serious money, not casual money. Ah, so here

>However, considering it's pitched as a casual usage device (Jobs even premiered it from a couch), half a grand is serious money, not casual money. Ah, so here's an interesting something about that keynote in which I was probably the only one to take note of. The chair Jobs was sitting on was Le Corbusier's LC-2, and I believe it was paired off with Saarinen's Tulip side table, presumably with the extra-white marble top. Realistically you can expect to spend $4,000 for that chair and another $1,500 for that table. Taxed, shipped and delivered that's easily a $6,000 pair. Like Apple's products - in which Ive is known to draw on Deiter Ram's influence, as those of other modern designers - they're simple, extremely well-made, beautiful, and try to provide a great experience in at least one area. I'll agree the iPad has some usability shortcomings, but it's still a very solid 1.0. The average person would love some great furniture. However the average person has a hard time justifying spending such a great premium for some excellent design qualities, and most would agree that such a decision to compromise on price is perfectly normal. However at least in terms of price, something like an iPad or iPod is more accessible to people, whereas beautiful furniture and homes - of which the costs can be terrifying - are not. They're (Apple products) still without a doubt luxury items, but they're within the reach of most.