Many folks disagree with me, but I maintain that the iPad is a supplement to a Mac and not a replacement. And new data from the Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) -- as reported by "eWeek" (http://macte.ch/Wmixv) -- mostly backs up my premise.

CIRP says that the new iPad (the one with the Retina display) has attracted more business users than earlier models. However, users are mostly using the tablet for surfing the Internet, playing games and enjoying entertainment.

"At least 27% of buyers, and as many as 40% use the iPad in these ways,," says CIRP's report. "Entertainment includes watching video, looking at photos and listening to music."

Business use came in fourth, with approximately 13% of all iPad owners using it for professional purposes. Among new iPad 3 owners, that figure rose to 16%t. Internet and email use were also higher on the newest iPad. Standout business users, CIRP found, were those who purchased iPad models with extra storage and "devoted" Apple users (those who own also either an AppleTV, AirPort WiFi router or Time Capsule external hard drive and router).

"Buyers that have iPads with more storage use the iPad for more serious purposes, such as business," writes CIRP. "Yet, buyers that have iPads with 3G/4G connections use them similarly as buyers with WiFi-only iPads. Twenty-three percent of these owners report using their iPad for business, compared to 13% of all users."

So don't plan on buying an iPad as a Mac replacement. Buy it as a complementary device.

-- Dennis Sellers