Would You Give Up Your Laptop/Desktop for a Mobile Device?

Here's something to chew on. At what point would you give up your laptop or desktop computer for a mobile device? What capabilities and performance would you require?

That's a recent question I posed to the MobilOpen group on LinkedIn.

Since the release of the iPhone and similar mobile devices, many visionaries have proposed a day when personal computers, as we know them, will be replaced by mobile handsets. What features and performance would it take for you to take the leap into mobile space?

Here are three answers from MobilOpen group members:

Shaun said:

"Personally I don't think that would happen unless we could type on a virtual keyboard and have a hologram screen.. and that sounds like a bit of SciFi.. so I would say for the moment at least.. I don't want my PC replaced. But I love the mobility of a mobile device. I always found PDAs like what Palm and Windows based devices to clunky and not sexy.. What is coming out now be it from Apple or other mobile makers like LG is the perfect complement to my PC life. I really don't use in the same way so that is why there is two devices. But I do watch movies on my iPhone, listen to music, etc..."

Brent responded:

Shaun touched on it - screen size is the limit for me. I have an HTC Mogul and I use it for a ton of stuff, but I can't mothball the laptop until I can have a screen big enough that I don't have to scroll all over the place to see what I am doing.

There are already DVD systems that have glasses that simulate a 60" screen. When they can couple that to a mobile device they will be well on their way. As it is a 19" widescreen some times runs out of real estate, fix that problem and the rest of the problems are minor in comparison."

And Nicola commented:

"Hi, I've been thinking about trying to do that this year. I am playing around with a project to see if I can create my own notes editor for the phone. However I would need a keyboard if I was typing lines of code all day. I'm using tv-out on my phone so that I can view the code on my tv, whilst the mobile projectors are still being developed (and hopefully retailed at under $600). However another example of where mobile isn't working quite so well for me is the mobile-only social networks, they are not easy to search for people, browse photos on a regular smartphone if you don't have a tv-out or projector option. Would I go mobile-only then ? I don't know but it would be more likely."

My response to the three comments:

"Very interesting responses. While I tried to focus my question on functionality (ex. 5 hour battery life, Word-like word processor, 3Mbps Internet download speed, BlackBerry-enabled email,etc.), the responses relate more to handset screen size, input/output devices and so forth.

I think Shaun best points out the main quandary ditching PC's for mobile devices ("I don't want my PC replaced. But I love the mobility of a mobile device."). Brent sounds like he might jump ship if his mobile device screen was larger and offered the functions of his Mogul, while Nicola needs keyboards and visual displays that moves her from mobile space to home turf.

Maybe it's like Star Trek. If you're a fan like me, you've noticed that some devices on the ships are "mobile," like the communicators, including voice interaction with a computer, while touch screen panels are used for navigation, security and zapping the enemy with photons.Shaun gets more than his hologram screen; in fact, he gets an entire world of holographic people and objects that appear real.

I wrote a blog post on eBay in 2006 dealing with multiple devices for different functions. I've also written a lot of posts about the effects of mobile technology on people in my MarketingBeyond TypePad blog. I find the convergence of computer/communications technologies with mobile fascinating and continue blogging and podcasting on the subject.

So how about you? When would you throw away your laptop or desktop for a mobile device? What would you absolutely have to have to take the plunge?

Palm Treo 680

Since it's the end of the year, I thought I'd get your mobile juices flowing with mobile devices I reviewed during 2007. See the posts that follow below.

Considering the proliferation of "smartphones" in the market, many now touting WIFI, 3G network speeds, thin form factors and now the Apple iPhone, one would think Palm Treos are dead. While I must admit, my first experiences with the Treo 650 were disasters--5 of them kept power-cycling off-and-on--the 680 is a dream.

The screen display is bright and easy to read 9 point type, the keypad is comfortable for typing quick emails and texting, the layout of the control keys is logical and easy to press and, finally, a phone manufacturer created a solid feeling metal and plastic PDA. Amazing. As RIM, Motorola, Samsung and others have downsized their phones and added more plastic, Palm's Treo 680, though bigger, fits comfortably in the "palm" of your hand, the stub antenna is gone and it sports a 300+mhz processor speeding up program loading and browser operation.

The Versamail email client is quick to program and use on POP3, IMAP and Exchange Server/Lotus Domino servers, there's additional internal memory--more than the 650--plus the usual memory card expansion slot.

Only a couple of complaints. You need to press the center D toggle button straight in to engage it without errors. And Palm decided to use a less powerful, thinner battery to make the 680 slightly thinner than the 650. Charging it overnight, however, is not a major drawback, plus Palm's new cradle charges a second battery and the phone simultaneously. I didn't test the phone on my Mac but you can sync your 680 to either a PC or Mac.

So, while the current Apple crowd drools over the iPhone--and interviewers proclaim the death of the Treo--I say get yourself a Treo 680. You won't be disappointed.