The notebook computer is doomed. OK, that's a little strong. And as one of the people who worked on the first laptop PC, the GRiD Systems Compass Computer Model 1101, there will always be a soft spot in my heart for mobile PCs. But as we move into the era of infocentricity, defined by Web 2.0 network services, the "everyone gets a CPU" model needs to be replaced by "everyone has access to an interface to the Web."
We'll continue to interact with information using the familiar WIMP (windows, icons, menus and pointing device) model of today. But that interface will run on a lightweight -- as defined both physically and software-wise -- inexpensive package. This may be Microsoft's worst nightmare. Still, it's the only way to go as access to more information than one can carry becomes critical and the expense involved in maintaining and managing a PC continues to increase.
