Too be fair, the media and slashdot in particular has always had a love / hate relationship with the iPad. In one sense, it seems the media is in love with them in that pretty much every journalist and pundit I have ever seen is usually carrying one. On the other hand, most articles not from a Mac fan site, is usually going on and on about "Apple is doomed", "iOS is the worst OS ever and is a failure compared to the greatness of Android", "iPad is just an overpriced toy", "Bill Gates proved time and again that nobody wants tablet computers", etc.
I like my iPads and my computers (2 Windows Desktops and 2 Macs). If you like Android tablets, or Windows laptops, or whatever great, use what makes you happy. However, in the end, Apple just posted record profits which tells me they are at least putting out products that people want.
For a good bit of nostalgia, find the Slashdot post anouncing the iPad and look at the amount of vitriol and nay-saying.