Fast Company has posted an article about why the Apple tablet rumors keep coming back.  I’ll save you some time

• People LOVE iPhones and iPods
• The netbook market has shown people want something smaller and less powerful than a laptop, but a little more capable than a smart phone
• Even Microsoft thinks Apple products are cool
• Apple’s iPhone software and App Store give them the perfect opportunity to come through with a strong product

It’s coming.  It will be a high quality product in the $600-1000 range and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them subsidize the cost with a contract with Verizon (I’m assuming built-in 3G or even possibly LTE chip if it comes out next year).  When it comes, I want one.