There are some idiots out there who think that faster phones are going to replace netbooks.  There is a better chance of everyone giving up their netbook and getting a shiny new iPad instead.

All of this stems from a report from Motorola where they declare that phone processors will go from the 1Ghz Snapdragon up to a 2Ghz chip.

Over the year phones have grown in screen size, resolution and function.  No longer are the top of the line phone only capable of making calls.  It will also allow you to take pictures, capture HD video, connect to a 4G netbook, turn into a hotspot, and more.  In the end these additional functions are great but aren’t anywhere close to replacing a netbook.

Here are five (5) reasons why your new iPhone, Palm Pre or HTC “Fill in the blank” won’t replace a netbook

1) Battery life sucks:  Trying to use your phone to make calls, check email, send text messages and surf all eat away at battery life.  Battery life is drawn out even more when you’re in areas where your wireless signal strength isn’t as good.  When compared to a netbook, feature phones just don’t compare when it comes to battery life.  As the processors get faster in phones expect an even bigger draw to take place.

2) Screens are still small:  The iPad comes close, but even a netbook with a 10 inch screen is better than trying to surf the web or watch video on a phone.  Even with phones with 4.3 inch screen you’re going to be straining to see what’s going on after an hour or two.  Don’t even think about doing it more than a few times a year.

3) Not enough store:  My netbook has a 160GB hard drive, the latest iPhone only has 32GB.  Upgrading an older phone to 32GB will cost you at least $250.  If you want to store your music collection then you’re fine.  If you want to use your phone the same way you use your computer you’re going to be running out of storage space real soon.

4) No “real” multitasking:  Try using your phone to edit a spreadsheet, check your mail, and have a voice chat…at the same time.  Enough said.

5) Limited document editing:  I saw an AT&T commercial touting that their network can help you get documents quickly.  There is also a Sprint commercial showing how 4G can let you send a report while you’re in a taxi or edit it in a car.  None of these make me even want to consider actually writing a Word document or trying to update a PowerPoint on a phone.

You wouldn’t be able to tell this by reading this list but I’m all for faster phones.  My first phone was an analog Audiovox which has a battery life of 24 hours.  My current phone is the Palm Pre which helps me keep up with my life whether I’m on the train or in the supermarket.  I’m just realistic about where my phone ends and my need for a netbook begins.  For people on the bleeding edge of early adoption this article will seem like a waste of words but it seems as though people forget there are more people like me out there than some tech sites would like to acknowledge.

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