Is there just no practical use for things like Ipads and Smartphones for everyday users? I like to think of myself as somewhat of a technophile and I get excited about new things like internet browsers, new Wifi standards, and microsoft vs apple programs. The new exciting technologies and softwares always keep me looking forward to the "whats next" idea and how I can see my life being impacted by these new things. I see the internet replacing what used to be big clunky VHS tapes, LED HDTVs replacing what used to be big box TV's and fewer and fewer wired devices. Its all really cool in my opinion but!, what I don't see is a clear picture for the future of tablet type devices, smartphones, and current desktop/laptop computing.

Current desktop/laptop computing has the advantage in that it is the convention. The newer technologies will have to undergo the paradigm shift and answer questions of practicality to everyday technology consumers like me.

Tablet and smartphone mobility technologies have the advantage in that they're "new" technologies and people/advertising are very excited about them.

I think desktop/laptop conventions using 802.11g or n wifi and a home cable connection are set up very well and generally offer enough to speed to handle what most people need on a daily basis. The obvious downside is that its difficult to take out of your home and use it wherever you go. Hence the all new rage of mobile technologies.

You can get almost an equal connection (or even greater with advanced 4G standards) using mobile connectivity. The common mobile formats are tablets and smartphones vice desktops and laptops. Perhaps I am missing something but for a non-business level consumer, I don't see much practicality beyond using smartphones and tablets to update your facebook page, twitter, or kill time watching youtube clips as you commute on the train. To be quite honest I don't do much more than that at home but I also pay for my internet access at home. Does it make sense to shell out even more money (quite often a substantial amount of extra money) for additional mobile devices and additional internet connectivity on the fly for the average shmo? Does it make sense to replace the conventional home computing set up with all tablet/4G kind of technology? It feels to me like the current set up has a technology for the home and a technology for on the go with no clear future on the standard technology for home AND on the go. Will mobile computing become widespread or is it not all that practical like I feel it is?