Would you rather have a computer but no phone, or a phone but no computer? Why?

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I ask because it baffles me the amount of people i know without a computer, but just a phone, personally, i don't care about phones that much and could easily live without one, most things i do are better on a computer, and some where portability is the advantage over a computer can be done with other dedicated devices anyway, only two things i actualy think are better on phone would be: Steam's authenticator, and Youtube's search history function, it's not that they can't be done on desktop, it's just that the phone version is the more convenient one. However, a lot of the things i like to do rely on me having a desktop, such as 3d modeling, video editing, playing videogames, both native and emulated, and the phone experience is either way worse than desktop, or non-existant. I know phones are computers too, it's just that most people agree that computer usually reffers to desktop/laptop
 

deficitdisorder

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If I was required to have one of the other I would easily pick the phone. The connectivity to the broader outside world is much more important than what is basically an overpriced game console that is my desktop most weeks. That said I'd rather have a $300 phone with a $1000 computer then the other way around. With access to both a better computer is more important personally.
 

Tom Bombadildo

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Seeing how I can do basically everything on a PC that you could do on a phone, a PC would be the obvious choice I think. My phone is basically used for texting and calls and occasionally taking pictures of things. I can text and call people no problem using Google Voice, and cameras exist, so I could ditch my phone right now without issue. Portability isn't a problem for me, since I don't mind carrying around laptops and, presumably, I could use the money I save from buying a phone on something like a GPD Win and get an extra small form factor PC if I really needed something easier to carry around.
 

battlecatsahead

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I ask because it baffles me the amount of people i know without a computer, but just a phone, personally, i don't care about phones that much and could easily live without one, most things i do are better on a computer, and some where portability is the advantage over a computer can be done with other dedicated devices anyway, only two things i actualy think are better on phone would be: Steam's authenticator, and Youtube's search history function, it's not that they can't be done on desktop, it's just that the phone version is the more convenient one. However, a lot of the things i like to do rely on me having a desktop, such as 3d modeling, video editing, playing videogames, both native and emulated, and the phone experience is either way worse than desktop, or non-existant. I know phones are computers too, it's just that most people agree that computer usually reffers to desktop/laptop
i would choose to only have a computer, i dont really use my phone, like at all, last week i only used it for like 20 minutes in total, and basically all my hobbies are things i do on my computer, and the only reason i ever use my phone is to listen to music, and i can do that with a computer
 

FAST6191

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If this computer includes an internet connection then that. I quite possibly would still pick it without an internet connection but it would be a struggle.

As it stands I don't have a phone and don't feel lacking without it. I occasionally get one for a day trip or a holiday. Most of the time they are a knackered old phone I have sitting around that someone gave me when they got an upgrade (last one was a few years ago and was a windows phone, time before was an ancient android and the time before that an even more ancient one), and even then sit by the bed or wherever as a glorified landline.
 

The Real Jdbye

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Computer, I don't even need to give it a second thought. I'm a heavy multitasker and typist (often doing both at the same time) and a phone is bad for both those things. When I go somewhere for more than a few hours and I didn't bring my laptop, I feel kind of handicapped with just my phone.

I could easily live without a phone. I don't like talking on the phone anyway, and I mostly communicate through text (forums, IRC, Discord, Messenger, WhatsApp)
 
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My main concern is getting stranded somewhere without being able to contact family, or vice versa, so I guess I choose phone. If laptops can use sim cards then even better.
it baffles me why sim card laptops are not a more common thing, you are meant to take them on the go, as such, why wouldnt you want the certainty of internet access(within range of an anthena of course)?
 

GoldenBullet

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Definitely depends on the person you are and the work you do. A person that needs to manage many things and expects emails, calls, and texts should definitely have a phone or at the very least a laptop. Someone who doesn't expect a text or call every other hour probably could live using a computer for communication.

I personally might have to choose a phone. I am a hardcore After Effects video editor that needs a computer to do the kind of stuff I like to make but I think if it came to it, I would take a powerful phone that can put videos together with Premiere Rush or something like that. Even for photography, Adobe Lightroom on mobile is pretty much on par with the desktop version.

Of course, if communication is important but you need a powerful computer for work, just get a cheap used phone for like $200. You don't need top tier specs if you're just texting.
 
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FAST6191

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it baffles me why sim card laptops are not a more common thing, you are meant to take them on the go, as such, why wouldnt you want the certainty of internet access(within range of an anthena of course)?
Other than businesses then it seems like a rare use case. USB modems were popular for a while and nowadays everybody has a phone apparently so I guess tethering will be a thing without them having to figure out a) all the regs around the world and b) have to submit every laptop model they make for testing (it is now a long range transmission device after all).
 
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Other than businesses then it seems like a rare use case. USB modems were popular for a while and nowadays everybody has a phone apparently so I guess tethering will be a thing without them having to figure out a) all the regs around the world and b) have to submit every laptop model they make for testing (it is now a long range transmission device after all).
yeah, i get not too many people would want to do this, but seeing as how wifi is often a detachable board, couldn't a sim+wifi board be made? and as such, it would only need to be sent for testing every time they make a new board (not as often as a new laptop model)
 
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