In response to "Are notebooks set to bury desktops?" reader Brad Garner writes:

I wish notebooks were ready to replace desktops, but they're not.

Cost wise, notebooks are about $3,000 to "get the job done," while desktops are about $600. Big difference. All the add-ons--like a monitor, docking station, PCMCIA card for LAN access--really add up. You may debate the extras, but people think they are necessary. Another issue with notebooks is the perception of what it takes to really get the job done.

I'm glad you finally came clean on support. Support on notebooks is a complete nightmare. One component goes down, the whole thing is toast.

I have a Micron that is about four years old. I paid $1,600 for it from the used shelf. (It was returned by an unhappy owner under warranty; I bought the returned unit for a substantial discount.) It's been rock solid until just recently when the floppy drive went out. Have you ever tried to replace a floppy in a four-year-old notebook? Not fun. First, if you can find the drive (they aren't made any more), it's $80--not $15 like a desktop. I'll have to replace it with a USB external drive. Just more stuff to pack around.

Notebook manufacturers need to come clean on cost and standardization. Until notebooks are much more standardized, businesses will buy only on an as-needed basis. Support drives the game.

Brad Garner