Where they allow me access to the same content or apps, I’d see the 2 devices just as alternative channels to get to that content. Which one I use depends on where I am and what I’m doing, e.g. can I be bothered or is it convenient to open up my laptop? Or does it really make sense to do that bit of work on my iPhone, or would I end up just struggling through it. I wouldn’t think of my laptop or my iPhone being a replacement for the other.

It’s certainly true that smartphones are becoming able to do more and more of the things we do on normal PCs etc. But it will be interesting to see when people really start to use the smartphone to buy things online.

I’ve been using a WM Phone for a number of years, and have found it a perfect companion device to go with my Notebook.

I can easily use it for Content consumption as you said when I am out and about, Checking my eMail, surfing a few sites, Using Calender and Notes But I cant depend completely on it for more then a couple of days, and even then its a bit of a stretch.

Even with the Keyboard, the Small screen and slow speed don’t help with productivity. And for multitasking, forget it. Most of the Smartphones don’t allow or don’t do it very well.

What I have found is that with a Smartphone, I’m much more plugged in, Checking and answering my Mail more frequently, checking my favourite sites more often, More organised as my data is combined in one outlook database, so that I don’t have to worry about forgetting something important. I.e I’m much more dependent on online sources then I was in the past. On the flip side, my information is usually much more up to date.

Not ready to give it up for a desktop-only, but phones are sure getting good.

Think about what you would use your full-featured 15″ laptop for, now take away the big screen, keyboard, mouse/trackball and that 2.8 core 2 duo. Suddenly things you were accustomed to doing have hit a wall and you’ve become somewhat paralyzed. I’ve been using pocket pc phones since 2004, and while they are indeed very capable, they WON’T replace notebooks ever.

But as someone else here already mentioned, I see a viable alternative in having a pocket pc phone paired with a small netbook. I can pair my always-on HTC TyTN with my 2133 mininote and be able to comfortably work on word docs, spreadsheets, ppt and pdf files. A full keyboard lets me type documents/blogs/emails much more effectively, and the 1280 screen lets me easily view full-screen web pages without having to scroll like on a ppc. I keep full use of my desktop trackball and still have access to USB, pc cards, and enjoy a roomy 2.5″ notebook drive for 720p movies and music. When it’s time to split, the ppc goes back on my belt and the netbook hides under arm, keeping both hands free for coffee and handshakes.

@Weylund
You might want to take the HP mininote for a spin, it’s keyboard is pretty quick.

The Xperia X1 looks great. The T-mobile G1 if they didn’t have that obstruction on the right would have been okay too. Again, the OS is a big deal.

I really just need a great keyboard, and I could at least code. Not write too much, I guess, but code. Manufacturers don’t seem too interested in squaring the input circle, though, as Corrupted Mind puts it. Sharp got it right with the Zaurus clamshells, and Blackberries are pretty darned good as well, but I have seen few small keyboards that are actually built for fast and comfortable typing.

Oh, well.

@GoodThings2Life: I’ve sold my wife on T-mobile, as it’s got the cheapest (free) tethering plans. For some reason I’m not seeing any of the Touches in their offerings. Know if that’s going to change?

@JM… you’ve got it exactly right. My Mogul (and soon to be Touch Pro) is still more of a communication tool… calls, texts, and shorter emails, but to spend my days staring at a ridiculously small screen for my work is never going to happen. In fact, it’s precisely why I *don’t* like netbooks and other small form factors.

To be honest, I see netbooks as being popular because of the small but not ridiculous form factor. They’re still usable for many tasks. That said, I still don’t see them replacing laptops or even desktops for quite some time.

Nothing wrong with being a road warrior and wanting to be ultra-portable with your gear, but there’s always a productivity limit, and there are always going to be desk jockeys that need something a bit more robust.

I guess I could get a G1, then trade it in for a Curve or Dash if I don’t like it (or if I can’t hack together a tethering app within the return period…).

My n800 is always running, but it’s not “always on” because I don’t have a cellular data plan or a Bluetooth phone.

I guess the n810 WiMax edition could be “always on” in a way, as long as you’re in a WiMax area, and with VoIP it can act as a phone. I don’t think it’s really realistic, yet.

The article mentions Intel’s MID, but Intel’s power consumption currently makes it far from “always on.” And Intel has been using FUD to snipe at the iPhone and others who can provide “always on” in that shape.

With the increased storage capacities of micro sd cards, and the manufacturers intent to put bigger/better/faster processors on smartphones, I do ponder whether the Average Joe will need a laptop for portable computing in the not too distant future.

The biggest hurdle I see is actually getting consumers to use their devices to their fullest capacities. I hear stories of lots of folks returning their smartphones because they were overwhelmed by them and found them ‘too hard’ to use. Perhaps the market will evolve more strongly into consumer level and pro level with cheap and easy devices for the masses and more expensive powerhouses for the rest of us.