The new Kindle with it’s easy to read screen looks and sounds great. Those of us who carry a laptop around most of the time really don’t want another screen or gadget to carry. That is why I predict that by the end of 2010 there will be prototypes (if there aren’t already) of a new laptop with a detachable screen that will act as a Kindle/iPod. This takes the Tablet PC to the next level.
For example, you get on a flight and wish to read, watch a movie, write notes on a pad and/or listen to music, but don’t need significant processing power. Remove the screen with its own internal battery for the lightest coolest experience. Because there is no processor and only flash or an iPod sized hard drive, the screen acts as a Kindle/iPod without much heat or battery consumption.
If you then realize you need more content or processing power from your base machine, simply connect the screen to the base using the built-in Bluetooth connection. Using the touch screen and a stylus, full power processing is immediately available within 30 feet of the base unit. In those cramped coach seats you have an easy to read or write surface like a Tablet PC (on some flights I can’t even open my computer on my lap).
If only our cell phones were built into our Laptops too, but that is for another time and probably a whole lot less practical.