Pardon me if sounds a little too conventional but the iPad isn't just a marketing gimmick - it is actually rather good and if you are ripping/converting the movies you want to watch, it's simple to put them into a format the iPad will play.
I opted for the iPad over a basic netbook before the summer and I've never looked back. For content consumption a tablet is a far superior option to any kind of laptop and is very easy to carry around (although Mrs T. bought me a Joey-style manbag for it as she was fed up of always having to have it in her handbag
).