In addition, Apple's iCloud strategy is clearly designed to link the two types of devices. With OS X Mountain Lion, , managing reminders, notes, passwords and much more. Once Apple makes iCloud syncing fully transparent, the ability to switch from an iPad to a Mac will be simple enough that it will become second nature.

I can see Apple launching a major marketing campaign to get its iOS customers to buy Macs. With the rapprochement of the two operating systems, I can even picture a new commercial the company might run. It might start something like this:

A: Hi, I'm an iPhone.

B: I'm an iPad.

C: And I'm a Mac.