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> I have mobile devices too, but 99% of my web browsing is still on my laptop Right. That's because you can. In much of the world, there is no such thing as a

by cryptoz 16y ago

> I have mobile devices too, but 99% of my web browsing is still on my laptop Right. That's because you can. In much of the world, there is no such thing as a high-speed wired infrastructure that lets you purchase $1000 computers, plug them in and go. Most of the world does have a wireless network though, and there are already nearly 1 billion 3G phones connected to those networks. You and I are not good examples of the new market that will exclusively access the Internet through mobile, so it may be hard to see that it's going to happen that way. But it will.

lsc 16y ago
laptops can run on wireless infrastructure just as well as smartphones can. I'm typing this on a lenovo ThinkPad x60s. Value was $400 a year or so back when I got it. Less now, obviously. There are serviceable netbooks for similar prices new these days. I'm using the verizon brand cellular modem, which works fairly well (but is also pretty expensive, because I'm an American.) If I was some guy in africa or china or what have you, this netbook/cellular setup would not be any more expensive than a iphone, and really the only downside vs. the iphone is that you've gotta plug the netbook in more often than the smartphone; on the upside, it's much easier to get the sort of work I do done with a real keyboard and monitor. Of course, this varies. for communication that doesn't need to be instant and traditional computer work, the netbook is unquestionably better, save for the battery life issue. If you need instant on or work while you walk capability, then the smartphone is your best choice. It's a tradeoff... I'm just saying that right now, the high end smartphones don't have a price edge over the low end netbooks. Smartphones are getting better; fast, but they are still a long ways from being as functional as a good netbook. As of yet, a good smartphone and a good netbook are about at price parity. (if this article is right, that might be changing; I can see situations where saving a couple hundred up front would make dealing with a smartphone vs. a laptop worth it.)

by cryptoz 16y ago

lsc 16y ago

laptops can run on wireless infrastructure just as well as smartphones can. I'm typing this on a lenovo ThinkPad x60s. Value was $400 a year or so back when I got it. Less now, obviously. There are serviceable netbooks for similar prices new these days. I'm using the verizon brand cellular modem, which works fairly well (but is also pretty expensive, because I'm an American.) If I was some guy in africa or china or what have you, this netbook/cellular setup would not be any more expensive than a iphone, and really the only downside vs. the iphone is that you've gotta plug the netbook in more often than the smartphone; on the upside, it's much easier to get the sort of work I do done with a real keyboard and monitor. Of course, this varies. for communication that doesn't need to be instant and traditional computer work, the netbook is unquestionably better, save for the battery life issue. If you need instant on or work while you walk capability, then the smartphone is your best choice. It's a tradeoff... I'm just saying that right now, the high end smartphones don't have a price edge over the low end netbooks. Smartphones are getting better; fast, but they are still a long ways from being as functional as a good netbook. As of yet, a good smartphone and a good netbook are about at price parity. (if this article is right, that might be changing; I can see situations where saving a couple hundred up front would make dealing with a smartphone vs. a laptop worth it.)