The Linux ‘Weakbook’ Bites Back

Smartphones vs. netbooks. Let's get ready to rumble? Erm...no...

"I was pointed toward an interesting article recently that centered on a competitive battle of netbooks v. smartphones, indicating the latter will emerge victorious. It is true that smartphones are bucking the bad economy and gaining market like never before--with traction for iPhone and BlackBerry and even mobile Linux making a go of it (as discussed in our latest CAOS report, Mobility Matters). However, will the smartphone really kill the netbook, described as a ‘weakbook’ because it’s light and cheap? Nah. Here’s why:

"Keyboard - even if it’s a smaller or tiny keyboard, the netbook allows you to type with real fingers and real keys. I’m partial to this because I’m a writer, but I don’t see the capability to write more than a Twitter update or short message, much less a stack of email responses, on a smartphone. On the netbook, you can plug away at the keys and if you prefer, you can find netbook keyboards that are almost as large as standard notebook size." [Read more]