With the stand video conferences would not be awkward. As far as snapping photos, that’s not an issue with the cameras in MacBooks.

At first I thought it was an omission, dare I say it a Deal Breaker. After thinking about it for a few days I don’t think I’ll miss a camera.

Camera would be nice, but certainly not deal breaker…. We’re going to buy a first gen iPad and if we like it, when the second gen comes out, we’ll buy another one so both of us can use one in bed to read and surf the web at the same time.

The thing is, Skype.  No camera means no video skype and that would be a problem for a good no. of people.  Certainly it doesn’t need a still camera!  It means, for example, that I wouldn’t buy my daughter an iPad for graduating from grad school, though her laptop needs replacing and an iPad would otherwise fit the bill.

Personally I’d rather have a camera that attaches to the iPad. One that would be adjustable instead of an embedded camera that you have to move the whole unit to focus on something.

her laptop needs replacing and an iPad would otherwise fit the bill.

I’m not convinced the iPad is a replacement for a laptop - or even an alternative to a netbook.
How viable is an iPad as your only (computing) device? What about printing?
Is syncing with iTunes (on a PC or Mac) essential, desirable or unnecessary?
Can the iPad do everything you currently do on your laptop (albeit differently - and in some cases - better!)?

Perhaps once setup with a MobileMe account it would be possible. I don’t know.

I’d hate to buy one with the intention of using it exclusively only to discover all the limitations are really deal breakers, and it’s not just missing a camera for Skype.

Maybe a thousand or so people say something like “it’s garbage,” “it’s not what I expected/wanted”, “it will fail,” etc. But if hundreds of thousands buy the 1st iteration of iPad, even without camera, etc, isn’t that success? Will those bemoaning the iPad’s “failings,” who now find themselves oddly aligned with Dvorak, soften their stance? Or change their mind when printing and other “issues” get worked out? And what if a camera could be attached to the docking port, and swiveled for either taking photos or video conferencing?

Negativity and getting stuck in “being right” are rampant on the planet now, on many issues, not just iPad. Can we all just breathe? And try to be a bit more gentle with ourselves and others? The iPad didn’t match my expectations either, but I’m willing to give it a chance, even for a first generation because, I won’t have to sit at this damn desk to read, listen, and connect to the web. If a better model comes out, chances are this 1st model will be easily sold. So I, a power user, may get one, and I won’t blow a gasket if my elder relatives want one. Of course, OS X laptops will still be available to buy.

It would need two cameras to live up to everyone’s demands.  One facing the user for video conference, etc, and one facing the back for photos and video.  It would be silly trying to take photos with a front facing camera!  I don’t think people have thought it through.  My guess, when it does get the camera upgrade, it will only be a front facing one, and people will raise hell.  Then it will still be a huge success and very useful device.

Personally, I carry around a small Cannon all day and couldn’t care less about video conferencing. The iPad is a hit for me