That said, I guess to everyone born after 2000 a PC is considered kaputt if it does not have touch input.
Even my 1994 gf tries to touch every display to see if it is directly usable, or needs an obscure pointer to be moved and click to be found either on keys or tap or press.
The iPad + keyboard combo is typically as heavy or even heavier than a laptop. It's certainly more expensive and restrictive. I have agree with the author's thesis here
Pretty sure there are students at Uni using iPads with keyboard. It's smaller form factor than a laptop.