Laptop Vs. Netbook Vs. Smart Phone: Which is Right for You?

The time has come to make a choice. Is it really worth lugging a laptop around anymore or, would spending a little less on a full featured smart phone the way to go? I've wrestled with this for the last year or so and have switched from laptop, to Netbook to smart phone. Full features versus portability versus convenience. It was not an easy choice to make as the each have their pro's and con's, and it was certainly time consuming with a lot of trial and error!

While the full featured laptop is the way to go for most power users, most folks I run into that are required to keep their digital lives on them at all time will tell you that at the end of the day, they are simply checking emails, weather, and sending simple text 95% of the time. Having to carry a larger case and constantly finding a power source for their laptop is a burden and not always worth the effort, and while WiFi has become more access able than ever, it always seems that when you need it most, it's never around!

Their next logical step, (as mine was) is to purchase a Netbook. A much smaller version of a laptop that has longer battery life and weights much less. The issue I ran into here is the keyboard is a nightmare to get used to, and given the lack of horsepower in the system you'd rather just be carrying a full size laptop! Similar issues with the full size laptop include finding Internet when you need it and from time to time, the need for a wall outlet to supply power.

That leads me to the Smartphone. I've used Blackberry and iPhone's and to me this is the way to go. They do everything I need and they are simple enough to charge on the go in my car, or with my external extra battery that is only 1/3 size of the device itself. On a busy day I carry a simple little full size folding Bluetooth keyboard in my briefcase so I can knock out documents or emails quickly and be on my way. The Internet is always at my fingertips with the data plan purchased for just a little more money each month. While a large screen would be nice it's not needed, and if I do get in a pinch where I want a little more, there is always the iPad option.

It's been a good year for me to come to this conclusion. If you've found that you can't go anywhere personally or professionally without the web at your fingertips, I wish you luck in your search for a solution! It might not come easy, it might not come quickly, but finding a platform to stick with while you are on the go will make your life much easier in the long run!

Good Luck!