How much mobile internet do you need?

It's increasingly important for people to be always online or at least always have nearby internet access. Two things are needed to make that happen: Internet access and an internet access device. I won't claim to be able to explain all the pro's and con's about various internet services, WiFi, EV-DO, HSDPA, and the like because the data on those change from city to city and country to country. However, I can talk about mobile devices.

Currently, there are four major options:

Smartphones
I distinguish smartphones from normal cell phones because smartphones generally have a web browser, PDA, and Email client built-in. In the above picture, you can see my Motorola Q. In a pinch, I can pull up barebones web sites or check my Gmail on it, but extensive browsing is not an option and the screen resolution is frustrating and limiting.
Advantages:

• Always connected
• Always carrying your phone anyway
• Fast access to PDA functions and no boot-up time
• Built for all-day battery life

Disadvantages:

• Painfully limiting Email client and web browser.
• Requires data plan - can be expensive
• Requires contracts and commitments
• Low resolution screen
  

Specialty Internet Devices
I would normally call this category "Internet Tablets" referring specifically to the Nokia 770 and Nokia N800 (both visible in the above picture) but this category is about to get more broad. The Intel-announced MID (Mobile Internet Device) tablets using a new low-power chipset and running Linux will add to this class.
Advantages:

• Higher resolution screen (800x480 seems to be typical)
• Better browser (Opera with Flash on the N800)
• Carrier agnostic (Uses phone's plan over Bluetooth)
• Uses WiFi - no data plan required
  
• Can replace MP3/portable video player (with large memory cards)
  

Disadvantages:

• Limited storage
• Limited applications
• Some sites don't render properly

Ultra-Mobile PC
UMPCs are simply very small slate tablet computers. Two of which are pictured above. They have weaker CPUs and graphics chipsets and do not generally include keyboards, but are much smaller, lighter, and flexible than full size laptops. For example: A UMPC can be mounted in a vehicle for navigation and entertainment, but can you imagine a laptop hanging off your windshield?
Advantages:

• Most "Full-sized PC" functionality
• Choice of browser, software, and storage
• Wide range of add-ons with USB and Bluetooth
• Smallest/lightest available form factor on which to run PC applications

Disadvantages:

• Can get expensive compared to laptops of equivalent specs
• Sometimes underpowered for full PC apps
• Currently, batttery life is weakest among all these classes (but chip manufacturers are working on this)
• Unlike the above options, cannot fit into a jacket pocket
  

Laptops
Everyone knows what a laptop is. I no longer own one, however. I have found that there are no mobile computing applications that I really need to do that my Smartphone, Internet Tablet, and UMPC cannot do. Let's skip down to the advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:

• Can do everything you can do with a desktop (except upgrade)
• Full keyboard, large screen
• Wide variety of configurations available
• Choice of operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Disadvantages:

• Large
• Heavy

Before making the plunge into choosing any mobile platform, an accurate assessment of the needs and desires in mobility are required. Once that assessment is done, the needs can be compared against the device.

A doctor can take his smartphone with him everywhere and have his schedule of upcoming appointments at hand and get text messages, Email, and reminders without added bulk. However, a doctor on call may want an ultra-mobile PC to carry around encrypted patient histories and pull them up on demand.

I suggest a combination of devices. I use my Smartphone for all PDA functions, emergency Email access, and mobile data access when no WiFi is available. My N800 Internet Tablet goes with me everywhere too because it offers a richer browser and has two 4GB cards for mobile entertainment. When I want to use PC apps on the road, I pack my UMPC. If I need to do heavy computing applications like video editing, I just wait until I get home.

The concept of "Internet Everywhere" is maturing and there are many ways to enjoy it. Hop on!