Dell Mini 9 Netbook

I took a look at the new Dell Mini 9 Netbook today in an unboxing posted here. Looks like an interesting product by Dell that will prove to compete in this Mini computer/UMPC market. It seems like it is a solid machine with all the basic functionality of any notebook (Windows XP, basic collaboration software, basic office software, etc.). However, I still hold to the fact that these UMPCs do little more than handheld devices (iPhone/Touch, Blackberry, etc.). These are Internet devices that need to use network or cloud computing to bypass any storage on the solid state drives. The biggest advantage is screensize, which will be important to many users. I don't see the point in carrying a device of this size (as small as it may compare to a standard laptop) when I can get the same functionality in a handheld. Sure, at this point, applications must be specially built for most handheld devices while UMPCs will run standard software but this will be little use one as cloud computing continues to grow. Like I mentioned in my last post, noone is going to replace their standard laptop with a UMPC or a handheld computer. Each will simply have their own functions and I don't see a point in carting around a 2.5 pound device to surf the net. Maybe using one will change my mind but I say the device is worthless in 2 years.