Quote:
Originally Posted by kuliand
I don't get this geek obsession that a device has to be multi functional and has to be connected to the internet all the time it drives me mad with people saying they would just buy a netbook over a kindle if i want to browse the damn internet i'll use my computer.
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I'm one of the geeks who would love to have a multifunction device that was great for web browsing, some light writing and for reading books but I can't see a netbook filling this need. I've met a few people who are fine reading entire books on LCD screens. Most read on devices smaller than a netbook which are easier to hold for long periods. Occasionally I see people who read on a larger LCD screen and are happy. From most of the comments I see here, it seems most of us find these screens unsuitable. Even though I sit at a computer all day, it's not the same as reading for hours without a break. When I'm working, my eyes leave the screen frequently. When I do have to stare at the screen for an hour straight, my eyes hurt. If you add to this the fact that a netbook weighs two to three times as much, generates a lot of heat and for all that still only gets you about half a day before you need to plug it in, it seems a poor substitute. Maybe these people really don't mind the downsides. It seems likely to me that for most of them it makes sense to them on the surface but either they don't usually read at length or they haven't actually tried reading an entire book that way. Sadly, lack of experience doesn't keep people from voicing opinions, especially on the interwebs.
I do think multifunction is the way it's going. On the bright side, you won't have to use it to browse the web or do anything besides read books if you don't want to, but a device that can do all that will appeal to a lot more people. Volume will likely mean lower prices and greater content availability for all of us.