Would you rather have a super smartphone or a new Netbook?

Just last week, we got a peek at Nvidia's new line of HD-video-playing processors in downtown Manhattan. One, the Ion, is a GPU that pairs with an Atom processor to give Netbooks gaming and HD-video-playing muscle, coming soon in Netbooks from Lenovo and Samsung.

Tegra Netbooks in action.

(Credit: Scott Stein/CNET)

The other, Tegra, is an all-in-one chip: it has an HD video processor, but it also has an ARM processor, making it an all-in-one computer on a chip that will be put on phone company-branded Netbooks toward the end of the year, according to an Nvidia representative.

But that's not all, it seems: rumors around the Web are suggesting that the Tegra might be placed in upcoming smartphones as well. With a Tegra processor, these phones would have pretty impressive HD and gaming capabilities.

Add to this Dell's entrance into the handheld Internet device arena and the beefed-up graphics of the iPhone 3GS, and an interesting showdown is in the works between the new-generation smartphones and fall's upcoming crop of graphically superior Netbooks.

Assuming prices hold steady, the costs might be similar, too. A Netbook can currently run between $299 and $500, while smartphones run between $199 and $299, subsidized (and up to $600 unsubsidized).

There are even some new 'tweeners that try to have the best of both worlds--call them UMPCs, MIDs, or whatever you like. We recently reviewed the (almost) pocket-size Viliv S5, which is neither a Netbook nor a smartphone.

For your money, which would you rather have--a smartphone that could handle HD video and gaming but wouldn't necessarily have a physical keyboard, or a graphically improved Netbook? Or are the two not necessarily mutually exclusive? A recent SRG research study found that women under 40 are using smartphones more than PCs as their mobile computing platform of choice. Is this true for men as well? Assuming your budget and gear bag aren't of limitless size, which would you choose?

[ILLNOIZE]

I love my smart phone and netbook, would not want to do with out either but when it comes down to, im going to stick with the smart phone over the net book. it's more accesible, easier carry, and it has that phonme calling thing that I could not live with out. Although I am thinking of purchasing a magic jack for the netbook to how that works out.

[RitoMan]

SUPER SMARTPHONE!!! (Nope i don't mean that i one)

[zizzybaloobah]

Smartphone

[subie09lega]

The phone, I don't like carrying something that doesn't fit in my pocket.

[cvaldes1831]

That's how I feel and that's how most of the world feels. Pocketable mobile devices is where it's happening. In some countries like Japan, cellphone use has been much widely embraced than home computing.

At the end of this quarter, there will probably be 30 million iPhones and nearly 20 million iPod touches. Netbooks will probably never be more than a niche device.

There is nothing surprising about the SRG study.

[lusciatti]

Smartphone for me!

[Sporlo]

I'd rather have a smartphone and a really good laptop. I wouldn't go for an in-between because the two ends do everything that the middle does anyway.

[merlefisher]

Definitely agree!

[Dan7637]

i will choose a super smartphone over a crippled notebook which is what most of these
"netbooks" are becoming with their bigger screens

[Daniel-Castaneda]

I'll stick to my phone...love it...for whn I'm on the run...but when I'm at home, I stick to my laptop..not a netbook...

[jpokorski]

Smartphone. With a physical keyboard. G1.

[peramica]

I agree with Sporlo, that a great smartphone and a good laptop is the preferred combination. That said, I fail to see the benefit of 1080 resolution on a netbook or a smart phone, neither of which has near the number of pixels required.

[johntdavenport]

I have both

SmartPhone wins, hands down. I only use the netbook for google docs and the limited word processing I need when chilling in bed.

If i have to choose one the smartphone is staying the netbook is gone. I have the Iphone, btw

[GamerCore]

Super Smart Phone. Netbooks are cool but not small enough that I would choose them over my nicely equipped 13 inch. I would definitely sacrifice power however for something I could fit in my pocket. =)

[tech_junkie14]

For me, Smartphone all the way. Carrying a netbook is horrendously inconvenient. Not to mention, it doesnt make calls! :O that aside, my iPhone accomplishes everything I need. When you're out and about, carry your smartphone, when you're at home, use your notebook (NOT NETBOOK). I don't see any value in carrying a netbook. Those things are terribly underpowered. I would never consider getting one. I'd rather get a 13" macbook pro. Seems like everyone in the comments are choosing their smartphones. Great choice ;)

[pawdog1961]

Not being a cell phone lover, I would take an underpowered computer over any type of cell phone any day. No computer makes me sign up for a $99.00 per month plan for 2 years just to access the internet on a really tiny screen. No you can't watch HD video on a Dell Mini 9, or fit it in your pocket. I don't see wanting to watch that same video on a tiny cell phone screen either. I vote netbook.

[merlefisher]

Actually many smartphones these days are doing an incredible job of video playback. It might not be HD, but its still incrdible. Oh and by the way... try an iPhone.... you may end up loving cell phones after that. ;-)

[Spanwite]

Some might still think for a second or two, before they say Super Smart Phone.
Because of the small screen right? But that bump might disappear some day. They will get some sort of projector, or hologram ala Star wars into this "cute" little devices. Many did see those early prototypes, in one or a other story!
Then bigger as 17" will not more be a question in a super smart Phone.

And guess what, from all this restrictions from Intel and Microsoft of what can go into a so called "Net book" No one will care, or those 2 will change there mind rapidly :-))
Other Chips and OS's will flood this Systems, with or without those 2's consent.

But then we are at the same Problem again, our Wireless carriers are even more behind of be able to provide the necessary Bandwidth. Current Smart Phone are already restricted in that!
More Powerfully Super Smart Phone will run with brake pushed to the metal, of those Carriers we have now!

Maybe we should have wished Apple didn't have invented the i Phone a while back.
So Microsoft's Smart Phone Software from 2005 would be still up to date, so would all the established Phone Manufacturer until that date rule the world! Because that Phone that changed everything does not exist!
1997Dell CEO recommended to close Apple, so I guess many others Today.
http://news.cnet.com/Dell-Apple-should-close-shop/2100-1001_3-203937.html
Maybe he worked also for GM, I'm just sarcastic.
How big is the Value of Dell vs. Apple Today?

We need new Ideas for Wireless too!

[indianajonesy7]

Actually Dell is worth twice as much (60 billion to 30 billion give or take) as Apple. And they actually sell products at semireasonable prices. Not that I would buy one, being a desktop junkie myself. However, for me a netbook works. Its a cheap supplement for me to run CAD on when I'm out of the office/classroom. Yes, it's underpowered but I 've yet to see the phone that can do it.

[cruisegm]

I'd prefer the netbook. You end up paying up to $100 a month up here in Canada for a smartphone data/voice plan fixed for 2 - 3 years. I'd rather keep my regular cell phone and pay low monthly rates and use the netbook free of additional costs. Also, browsers on smartphones can't run some java script or flash based programming. Watching a movie on an iphone or blackberry doesn't make sense either and the netbook is relatively light at 3lbs.

[Dominick_7]

Super SmartPhone/Pocket PC! While I could definitely go for a build found in the HTC Shift if it had the ability to do phone calls with top specs, due to the big screen, and the enlarged kind of smart phone set up, I think IDEALLY if you could get the top specs in a Palm Pre type one handed vertical qwerty keyboard device that would be awesome..exceptions being a bigger keyboard/keys (though the ones on the Palm Pre are nice enough I think), expandable memory slot, and a bigger screen/ala iPhone sized or close to it. I've been waiting for the premier convergence device so I can not only have my calls and browsing but also a NICE PVP/PMP all in one..having very large sized hard drives/memory capacity sufficient enough for music and videos/music..I'm thinking the largest Archos capacity.

[Thranx]

Treo 800w. Physical keyboard, fast, works as a WiFi router with simple software addition.

Netbooks are too much of a compromise. They're not enough computer to be a laptop, not enough portable to be a mobile device.

CNet had an article that 53% of netbook owners are happy with thier purchase... half? That's horrible numbers, but I think it's because people believe that a netbook can suplant thier standard PC use... and it really can't. Even if all you do is e-mail, that thiy screen and keyboard will get on your nerves eventually.

[KillersDad]

SMARTPHONE. Heck, even my laptop has an external monitor, keyboard and mouse for working at home.

[setjeff15081947]

A book; The Sunday newspaper strewn all over the room; Preparing supper with another human being who still knows how to speak; Figuring out which one is Jupiter and which is Venus; Lying on the grass on a warm [25 deg-C] summer evening. Etc., Etc., Etc.

[Figsology]

I'm torn. I am a college student living off campus. I have constant breaks throughtout the day, I can't work on a paper on my iPhone and my 15.4 inch laptop is too bulky too carry around. So I'm going with the netbook. I believe though a revamped netbook would be useless and more expensive. Make them more affordable.

[BenFlavoredCandy]

I agree. As much as I like the convenience of smart phones, there is a lot you can do with the full OS on a netbook. This would be an especially good combo if you have desktop computers at home/work/school.

Also, what is the point of HD on a 13" screen? You really think you can tell the difference? Give me more efficiency in a smaller package and make it cheap. That's what I care about.