Mac Tablet: Does Apple need it to compete with netbooks?

We've been hearing rumors for at least two years now about a potential Apple tablet computer, but to date, they've all been little more than hot air. The latest report from an analyst pegs the release of a new tablet for 2010, but does Apple really need to push this device out to compete with the netbook trend? We talk to Erica Ogg, correspondent for CNET News, as well as Jonathan Strickland of HowStuffWorks about the rumors. Erica maintains it isn't a do-or-die situation for Apple, though if they do it, Erica expects they'll do it properly, as they've done in the past with cell phones and MP3 players. Jonathan wouldn't mind if Apple released it as a sort-of Kindle-esque competitor, with its own app store and the like. What do you think? Are you excited for a multi-touch tablet, or would you rather take the plunge on a regular notebook or netbook? What's your dream tablet device that you'd love to see Apple implement?