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When the original iPad launched, it seemed netbook manufacturers were going to have to find a new gig. As the more powerful iPad 2 continues to break sales records, maybe it's time for PC makers to panic.

CENS, a Taiwan Economic News website, is reporting today that the world's top PC vender is lowering its first quarter PC sales goal. The projection went from a 3% increase in growth from the prior quarter to a 10% decrease, causing their stock to plummet 7% on the Taiwan Stock Exchange this morning.

Acer claims that weakened demand from the U.S. and Europe is the reason for the drop off in sales. The truth is Acer (and every other major PC manufacturer) might be in real trouble. As the iPad 2 lines around the globe have pointed out, Apple's on to something.

It's hard to explain really. The combination of design and functionality really set Apple devices apart from other consumer electronics. Although it's not quite there yet, the iPad is just an update or 2 away from completely replacing a lot of peoples every day laptop.

I was in an Apple store in Santa Monica the other day and overheard a gentleman tell an Apple rep that his G4 MacBook was aging and that he was trying to decide between an iPad 2 and a MacBook Air as a replacement.

As Acer and other companies struggle to respond to the handheld tablet craze that Apple has sparked with its iPad lineup, it may be too little too late. A year after the original iPad was released, the competition is just now starting to look decent. But Apple priced the iPad 2 so aggressively that when it comes down to cost for a consumer, the iPad is generally cheaper than other tablets with similar specs.

The bottom line is tablets and other post-PC devices aren't a passing trend, they are the future. And it looks like Acer and other PC manufacturers are starting to find that out the hard way.

Has anyone replaced a laptop or netbook with an iPad? Do you plan to? Tell us below!

Almost a full month after the announcement of the iPad 2, rumors about competitor offerings continue to swirl. Blackberry is making headlines with its PlayBook tablet because it will run applications built for Google's popular Android OS.

Samsung was also trying to garner some attention from CTIA attendees last week by taking shots at Apple's tablet. Remember the Samsung executives that sent TAB designers back to the drawing board after seeing Apple's latest version of the iPad?

Well they were back, with a new and improved Galaxy Tab 10.1. So new in fact that Fritz Nelson of InformationWeek reports Samsung wouldn't let them turn it on. This could be because it was a non working prototype.

The interesting thing is that Samsung was marketing the new Galaxy Tab 10.1 as being thinner than the iPad 2 at 8.6 mm thin. But this picture taken by InformationWeek seems to suggest otherwise. When Samsung was questioned about the photos depicting a slimmer iPad 2, the spokesman just repeated the public Galaxy 10.1 specifications.

Finally there is the Motorola Xoom. It has garnered some attention from current Verizon subscribers, but outside of that sales are faint. The Xoom's spec sheet and possibility of 4G are impressive, but the tablet is more expensive than the iPad 2 and it has almost no dedicated applications.

With an HP tablet, carrying Palm's Web OS set to join the other suitable opponents, you could say that competition is heating up for the iPad 2. But as companies cram dual processors and high resolution cameras into their tablets, can they possibly achieve the success that Apple has seen? Doubtful. With lines still wrapped around the globe for their latest product, Apple is clearly still king of the tablets.

Does anyone think Apple has some good competition for their iPad 2? Tell us below!

If you were one of the people lucky enough to grab an iPad 2 while they were still available, you might be looking for an alternative to the iPad's built in soft keyboard. With the original iPad, Apple released a keyboard dock that would connect an Apple keyboard to your iPad and charge it at the same time.

If you are searching for a similar accessory from Apple for the iPad 2, keep looking. 9to5mac is reporting that one of their readers emailed Apple Senior Vice President of Marketing Phil Schiller on this very topic.

From what I've heard, the Apple keyboard dock is not made for the iPad 2. Is there an ipad 2 version that I can't find on your online store - or is it coming soon?

It seems Schiller's reply to the email doesn't necessarily answer the question, but definitely gives you the idea that Apple will not be making an iPad 2 keyboard dock.

People prefer to use the iPad's built in soft keyboard most all of the time, it works very well. Those that do choose to use an external keyboard most often choose to use Apple's bluetooth wireless keyboard for the convenience it provides.

It's not surprising that Schiller is indirect with his response. But 3 weeks after the iPad 2 launch and no announcement, the answer is no. So it looks we'll just have to buy Smart Covers to use as stands and Apple bluetooth keyboards for our external input.

Good news though, for those of you who already owned an original iPad keyboard dock, 9to5mac is claiming it works with the iPad 2.

What do you use for an external keyboard for your iPad or iPad 2? Tell us below!