HP TouchPad

WebOS fanboy here.

I think if you can find one of these for $100-$150, it's the perfect starter tablet for someone who hasn't used a tablet before. Yes, there are quirks with the software, and the plastic feel isn't great, but it's SO INTUITIVE.

WebOS Multitasking is the most satisfying user experience for managing things... ever.

My 8-year-old sister immediately understood how WebOS worked, without any instruction or prior experience, in under a minute. I think this says more than any opinion I could explain.

The moral is: if you can find one cheap, don't hesitate. WebOS is great, the homebrew community is bar-none the best in mobile, and if you really get bored with it... don't worry. CyanogenMod 9 will be out in a month!