I suppose one thing is this Mac replaces a 6 year old computer so will always appear to be better.
I would not have purchased it without MS word, Excel etc..........
Suppose I have the best of both worlds now
With regards to the iPad I can see no use for this at all for our house apart from being just another gadget.
Bit like satnav, thought about it but no real point as for the few long journeys we do I print a route.
I am actually a convert and they are very good to say the least.
I have always rated Dell but this iMac is very good and the iPod touch is a superb bit of portable kit.