The developed world was pretty productive thru-out the 1980's, when not only all desktop PC's, but most large corporate computer systems were far less powerful than an iPhone.
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Here's Two: Moving to iPhone as main computer?
- Thread starter lowonthe456
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The developed world was pretty productive thru-out the 1980's, when not only all desktop PC's, but most large corporate computer systems were far less powerful than an iPhone.
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sushi
Moderator emeritus
It's interesting to see the number of young Japanese who only have a smart phone. Space is one issue. Being connected 24/7 is another. With a smart phone, most don't need a computer for e-mail, browsing, purchasing, making reservations (train, hotel, plane, etc.). Additionally, the typical phone line is expensive. With a smart phone you are not tethered which is fantastic for them.
Notice I said smart phone. The iPhone does not do many of the key features that those who use smart phones want. That may change in the future but for now, the iPhone has limited appeal in the smart phone arena.
Regarding only having a cell phone, personally, I would still need some sort of laptop/desktop to augment an iPhone/touch. However, the iPhone/touch are to a point that I can leave home without my laptop and still get some things accomplished effectively.
As the software on the iPhone/touch improves the situation can only get better.
Notice I said smart phone. The iPhone does not do many of the key features that those who use smart phones want. That may change in the future but for now, the iPhone has limited appeal in the smart phone arena.
Regarding only having a cell phone, personally, I would still need some sort of laptop/desktop to augment an iPhone/touch. However, the iPhone/touch are to a point that I can leave home without my laptop and still get some things accomplished effectively.
As the software on the iPhone/touch improves the situation can only get better.
uiop.
macrumors 68020
+1.
My Auntie did it. No seriously, she did. She played with my iPhone last summer and loved it, so she got one and uses it mostly for email.
kas23
macrumors 603
Correct and a lot of people feel this way. I'm pretty sure Apple did this on purpose. Besides being a phone, the iPhone is also an Apple marketing tool for the Mac. You also need a Mac to develop iPhone apps. Apple wants people to buy a Mac, not buy an iPhone instead of a Mac. For this reason, although I don't agree with it, I believe the iPhone is going to stay somewhat crippled as a stand-alone device.
Once the computing world gets a little bit more on the "the cloud" I'd be ready to make the conversion. But as of right now, I enjoy the real estate of my 13.3 screen.......😀
QCassidy352
macrumors G5
I've used my iphone as my only computer while on vacation, and sometimes for days at a time when I'm too busy at work to turn on my imac. 🙁 It does a very good job if you just need email/internet/IM/some simple games, etc. Obviously the biggest thing it lacks is word processing, but since you have a mac at work, you should be fine with that. Flash is not a big deal, IMO - the nike+ site is the only one I really visit that relies on it.
sushi
Moderator emeritus
What I do, is use notes to input text. Then e-mail it to myself.
On my desktop I can easily create/update documents that way.
Learned this work around many years ago when using the Palm Pilot.
I use my iPhone for quite a lot now .... but alas i still have to use windows for some things (work)
kas23
macrumors 603
Plenty of enterprises needed a computer: the original Sabre world-wide airline reservation system, the Apollo space mission, designing the Space Shuttle, and etc. The most powerful computer systems in the world available for those projects generally had less, usually far less performance than an iPhone does today.
I agree that modern smartphones are more powerful than old computers, but thats pretty much irrelevant today. By the pure performance smartphones are kinda in the treshold of being almost adequate replacement for Mac or PC, but the compromises made to make them portable hinders it. Sure it's okay to surf the web, but for longer periods I want a proper computer. Same with text input, short messages/email are ok, but for longer typing I want a proper keyboard. Same shortcoming are in processing power, available apps, storage space and etc.
Atleast for me phones provide a decent subset of dumbed down computer features I need while out, but nowhere near good enough features that I could solely live with them.
anjinha
macrumors 604
Recently I went to my parents' for two weeks. I brought my Macbook but forgot the charger. So I was left with my iPhone for those two weeks and it was just fine. The only thing I missed was the ability to post pictures to Macrumors directly from my iPhone. Everything else was great.
Yeah, I too found out that iPhone really CAN replace a computer in most of the things, except when you try to do something specific, like she said. So yeah, it's almost as a little Macbook.
-J
Just so you know after some heavy internet browsing safari just freezes and sends you to the iPhone "home" page. So if you spend a lot of time on the internet then you may want to rethink this.
Just my 2 cents.
You could get the iPod touch, avoid paying for a monthly plan, and you could therefore get your computer sooner.
DavieBoy
macrumors 6502
I can not for 20 min without sitting at a computer. It has gotten so bad that anything under 24" is too small for me to use for an extended time.
My uncle is the same way, but one day he mentioned to me that the iPhone is great because it can do a lot of the functions of a computer and is great for people who are on a limited income and do not really need a full fledged computer.
iPhone = $200 CPU = $500 (for a cheap dell which I bet most of you would rather just have a iPhone)
Data Plan = $30 Internet = at least $30
My friend just got an iPhone and has no computer. Used mine to put music, movies and apps, went to college. He won't sync his phone till May...
My uncle is the same way, but one day he mentioned to me that the iPhone is great because it can do a lot of the functions of a computer and is great for people who are on a limited income and do not really need a full fledged computer.
iPhone = $200 CPU = $500 (for a cheap dell which I bet most of you would rather just have a iPhone)
Data Plan = $30 Internet = at least $30
My friend just got an iPhone and has no computer. Used mine to put music, movies and apps, went to college. He won't sync his phone till May...