[macintologist]

What do you think of this idea? She was set to buy a Macbook later this academic year because she hated having to always go to the computer lab. But she realized 90% of what she does on a computer is surf sites and check her email. So instead she just bought an iPhone. If she needs to do a lot of typing for writing a paper she will just use one of the many computer labs available on campus.

Do any of you know someone that spent the 400 bucks on an iPhone rather than putting that money towards a computer?

[paul w]

for email, sure. For surfing the web it's hardly the same as a full size computer screen. Handy, but I'd hate to have it be my primary browser.

And there's loads of embedded content and stuff that the iPhone just can't handle yet.

[Sage]

It kind of depends on what “surf sites” means. If she just spends an hour a day on like Facebook and YouTube, then it seems perfectly reasonable to me (especially since those are iPhone-friendly sites). On the other hand, I spend many many hours each day on a variety of sites (including forums, of course), so I wouldn’t be able to tolerate an iPhone as my primary internet device.

[imitchellg5]

My friend basically never uses his PowerBook anymore on the road... just his iPhone. He hasn't taken his PowerBook on one trip since he's gotten his iPhone.

[Laminar]

I was considering getting an iPod Touch instead of a MacBook, but both of those are on hold until next spring.

[The Godfather]

Maybe she wants to be the first person who writes her dissertation entirely on an iPhone, and get 15 minutes of fame (in a geek website).

Does Google word processor work in the iPhone?

[Big Mac]

Very doubtful.

[The Godfather]

Google Docs optimized for viewing on the iPhone - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

No need to hack Open Office into the iPhone, I guess.

[Andy8]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

My friend basically never uses his PowerBook anymore on the road... just his iPhone. He hasn't taken his PowerBook on one trip since he's gotten his iPhone.

Exactly.

For short trips I just take my iPhone. I do not see the need to lug my 17" Powerbook around, when I am only checking email and browsing a few sites while traveling.

[The Godfather]

Much easier to take out iPhone from pocket to the xray machine in the airport, compared to your laptop.

[Koralatov]

Personally, I see this happening more and more in the future. From a person with low computer usage's perspective, it makes perfect sense--they don't need anything other than occasional internet access and to check their email. The iPhone is the perfect device for doing this.

I have a friend who doesn't own a computer, and he's seriously considering getting himself an iPhone because it would meet all his computing needs outside of work (where, obviously, he's supplied with one).

[Big Mac]

Except needing a computer to sync the iPhone with iTunes?

[Koralatov]

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

Except needing a computer to sync the iPhone with iTunes?

In my infinite wisdom, I totally forgot to mention this. His plan was to use my Mac for that--he already has an account on it. I don't think he's particularly interested in using it for music, just as a phone and email/internet device.

I presume syncing it to my Mac for updates and such is feasible? From what I can gather, he can just plug it into the wall with the supplied adaptor charge it.

[goMac]

I really feel that the iPhone will be the next big computing platform. As you've pointed out, the iPhone can do everything your average user needs. At that point, who needs a computer? Maybe you'll still have a central computer at home to work on... But the iPhone seems like a pretty key platform for Apple for the future.