Originally Posted by
jtride
Hello all!! Taken into account todays newest technology, the type of tour and location (US) is it more economical and feasible to use a smart phone on tour for GPS, telephone, occasional internet access (Journal updates on CGOAB)??? OR is better to use a basic phone for emergencies, and carry a micro computer to use with the occasional wifi??
What do you want to be able to do with a computer? Or smartphone?
When I rode down the Pacific coast last summer, I took my iPhone and my Garmin Edge 705 GPS receiver and left the laptop at home. iPhone is great for posting to Twitter, reading e-mail, and sending short replies. The iPhone's Maps application makes it pretty easy to search for and navigate to local businesses. Browsing websites, like BikeForums.net, is more problematic due to the limited screen size. Writing a travelogue, at least for me, was out of the question; I just don't have the patience to do that much typing with the iPhone's on-screen keyboard. Battery life may also be a limitation. My iPhone lasts about a day, maybe a tad longer, between recharges.
I, personally, wouldn't rely on either a computer or a smartphone for GPS. If you want GPS, I'd suggest buying a dedicated GPS receiver.