*Update: Now with a poll!*

Louis Vuitton has produced a case for the new iPad

Want or Waste?

GQ.com got the exclusive preview of Louis Vuitton's to-be-released iPad cover, and we're unhappy it wasn't shipped to women! (Hence our photoshopping.) But that's not the real story, it's all about the LV! (Although you can see our vanity here, it's always about moimoimoi, natch.)

Despite the typical Apple buzz and obvious profitability, the upscale design hauses are increasingly showing their tardiness in producing iPad accessories, and even though Louis Vuitton is the first gal-beloved big brand to showcase a case, the actual product won't be available until 2011 (no word on month). Perhaps they can blame it on the time it takes time to craft high quality luxury - just think Hermès and the ladies will understand.

Even though it is Louis Vuitton and well-crafted, you may not care for the "exclusivity" pricetag of $366 when the most cost-effective version of the device itself runs little more than $100 more ($499).

A luxurious and secure home for your precious gadget

I do make this argument to you though, depending on how you treat your iPad (examples of use below), it may be the next important gadget down from your laptop. It might hold important or private files, photos, perhaps even your work. If you would not spend this kind of money on the look of LV alone, think of the durability of the materials and workmanship and how much those things mean it can protect this Comp Lite.

If you're not sold, that's great, and you can say you're not a fashion victim. However I do ask you not to knock it ... with all that knocking over you or your clumsy friend will inevitably do with the pad.

Buying it? May we suggest the Damier - subtle is classy.

[caption id="attachment_3230" align="alignnone" width="450" caption="We photoshopped a woman's hand onto the image to make it more girl-friendly than the GQ article/photos. ;-) Should we say you're welcome or just commit ourselves? ;-)"][/caption]

Or perhaps it's protection-schmotection, if your iPad has cat scratches anyway...

If you're wondering whether I would buy a luxury case from Louis Vuitton, or wait for a lower designer like Coach, or just go with something else that's nice and suits me but is likely more affordable ...

The answer is no, but partially because I don't even have any near-future plans to get the iPad, so that would surely be a waste of money.

You see, I see the iPad as really great for two things, one: a nice point-of-sale device, useful for craft shows (and I don't have real plans to do craft shows in the future). Two: an awesome but expensive cat toy, and I'm allergic to cats. Another waste.

Wait, a double waste. Darn my dweebish, allergic body. I'd love a cat and she'd love this cat toy - I mean iPad. Not a waste of $500 plus app costs at all, right?

Bonus! Poll!

The iPad itself, is it...

[polldaddy poll=3145809]