Crisis is surely a factor, but I think it also counts that they are practical and easy to carry around, while being more powerful than just a PDA or a phone. I

Crisis is surely a factor, but I think it also counts that they are practical and easy to carry around, while being more powerful than just a PDA or a phone. I'm considering getting one to replace the paper notebook I drag around to write my notes. I don't need a 17" screen for that, but a mobile interface is also not comfortable enough.