Thin is not a patentable idea. If Apple's thinness innovations are truly patentable, then they should get a patent for the specific technologies they've invented and not a design patent for the idea of making something thin. People have wanted thinner computers forever.
Also, the article shows a tablet that came out before the iPad looking at lesst as much like the iPad as the Galaxy Tab.
And I don't think the Crunch Pad looks like the iPad. For the reasons stated above, and the rumors of the iPad began before the Crunch Pad was conceived.
Thanks, I know what a design patent is. (Not sure why you think patent discussion about icon design is relevant to thinness, though.) Thinness is not still not patentable. That's an integral element. Saying that "thin" is patentable is like saying "has a screen" is patentable. Apple's case hinges on the idea that they can own the very idea of a tablet that doesn't suck.
And seriously, this doesn't look like the iPad, at least to the same extent that the Galaxy Tab does? Come on.
Also, the article shows a tablet that came out before the iPad looking at lesst as much like the iPad as the Galaxy Tab.