Thanks, man! I know we'd be friends in life. I like different perspectives so please do continue to contribute.

Perhaps this stream of consciousness will help people get where I'm coming from more clearly:

I'm taken by this device, but I wouldn't call myself a fanboy by any stretch (then again, who would? In hindsight, that's not a terribly convincing statement). You see, I wouldn't blindly choose a Samsung product by virtue of being a Samsung product -- not even close. And I'm quick to recommend an iPad to a friend who will benefit more from the positioning of that device -- in fact I've recommended two over the Tab already.

But devices seem to be so polarizing these days that an individual defending a challenged statement almost comes across as being a fanboy; at least this is my guess based on my observations. But I wouldn't complain, as a society I'd rather that we form warring tribes around meaningless devices than around groups of people.

As a tablet, I'd choose the Tab. With a more competent SoC (coming in a matter of years), I'd champion a ubuntu/MeeGo tablet as a mobile workstation based on its usefulness. I, like you, love the design of the macbook pro and air, but I would choose a UL30Vt despite its terrible LCD and arguably weak CPU thanks to the light weight, good GPU, and insane battery life (even when running the non-windows Ubuntu) -- but the MBP is a close second. I wouldn't buy a smartphone because of the screen size. Etc, etc, etc...

I've not found a device where a tradeoff doesn't have to be made, but having been a fanboy (Nokia N8x0, FWIW), I realize that I'd rather have fewer tradeoffs than more. I value my time more these days, and don't find 'hacking' fun anymore to get something working properly. I also am 'frugal' and like the idea of longevity -- even if its not realized. The Tab seemingly fits this prerequisite for me quite well.

Being somewhat informed about the available options, I *feel* free to choose based on what works best, and not on brand affiliation. So, while today == Samsung for me, tomorrow is anyone's guess.