I can't believe that people are still questioning the iPad's existence.
I mean, I get it if it's not for you, but the rest of us don't want to whip out a Mac to do certain things.
And you cannot draw, sign docs, edit things, etc. with the Pencil on a Mac.
The iPad is more than enough for some people, although for me it's a companion device to the Mac.
Extra screen real estate, couch and travel buddy, (casual) game, art and music (creation) machine.
I love it, and I'm glad Apple offers lots of flavors, price points and sizes for it.
I have a 12.9" I used as my main computer until I bought the M2 MBA, my wife and daughter have an 11" Pro (I think that's the best size personally), and my younger (adult) son has a (latest) mini he takes EVERYWHERE.