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View Full Version : Today's Smartphone is Tomorrow's Laptop


Kevin Jackson
03-29-2011, 01:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/motorola_atrix_4g_review' target='_blank'>http://www.maximumpc.com/article/re...atrix_4g_review</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>". . . the Atrix does take one giant step towards allowing us to work and play without an x86-based desktop or laptop. By plugging the Atrix into the proprietary $400 laptop dock depicted here-which lacks a CPU or storage, and only has a chiclet keyboard, touchpad, battery (which automatically charges your phone), and an impressive 1366x768 screen."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/adt/auto/1301338359.usr283.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Here is a review of the Motorola Atrix 4G from Maximum PC. A lot of ink has been spilled over the phone and its shortcomings, but one thing really stands out about this device; I believe that we are seeing the next generation of mobile computing. Smartphone processor speed is quickly catching up with many lower end laptops and netbooks (Netbook? What's that?) and with cloud storage becoming ubiquitous, it is only a matter of time before we slip our primary computer (at least the brains of it) into our pockets when we leave the office or the house. The Atrix 4G, with all its inadequacies, is just an early step in this convergence.</p><p>How about you: will you give up your laptop for a smartphone and a dock? Let us know if the forum.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Michael Knutson
03-29-2011, 05:42 PM
I find that there are certain advantages to carrying around one device, and advantages to carrying around several smaller devices, so I guess that it depends on what I'm doing. Looking back a few years, Palm failed with a concept similar to the Atrix (although I'm not sure if the technology ever really made it to production). I think the "modules" concept will work if performance is there (robust processors, long battery life) and all the parts work seamlessly. Then I think about carrying a tablet and a keyboard, and I wonder why I don't just pack a laptop, but then I have to carry a mobile phone anyway. My ideal device is probably a decade away: a small device that projects a holographic screen and keyboard, and is phone, computer, personal assistant, etc; all in a package that I can tuck into a pants pocket. (sorry, back to earth I go ... )

mmidgley
03-30-2011, 02:50 AM
is there a reason why the phone is not used as the touchpad? seems REALLY obvious to me. why waste a touch screen, display, and other buttons? seems like a perfect way to "dock" the phone into the "laptop". the phone display could be on or off, but is the touchpad either way. then you close the "laptop" display and both screens are protected.

m.

Sven Johannsen
03-30-2011, 03:39 AM
The Palm Folio and RedFly for Windows Mobile were early attempts at this concept. The capability of the hardware just wasn't ready IMHO, and in the case of the RedFly the mobile OS wasn't designed with this in mind, though it expanded to the screen reasonably well. Just a bit ahead of their time.

I got a chance to look at, not play with, the Atrix setup at a BestBuy the other day. Actually a very slick looking implementation. Don't think it would bother me to go this route. Probably need to see if the docked screen is more than just a big version of the phone screen. No doubt the capability is there, considering phones today have as much power as laptops of only a few years ago. It intriques me.

Lee Yuan Sheng
03-30-2011, 06:54 AM
I'll keep my notebook for now, thanks. :D