I find any computer without at least a 20" screen unusable, so no notebook as a desktop replacement for me.
My custom-built desktop is also about 1.5-2x faster than any laptop currently made, so also no thanks in that respect.
My custom-built desktop is also about 1.5-2x faster than any laptop currently made, so also no thanks in that respect.
My MBP has enough power to run OS X + two VMs (Debian and WinXP) so everything I could ever need to do, I can do on my MBP. (For gaming, I installed Win XP on a second partition and boot to that when I need to get some FPS in.) And since I bring it to work and use it there too, it's basically the only computer I use from day to day.
(Of course, the downside to this is that it's also a single point of failure. Just yesterday I got to work and discovered my laptop's screen was blank. It turned out to be the infamous NVidia defect that created much commotion last year. But, even though I was 6 months past the warranty, Apple is fixing it free of charge: http://tinyurl.com/ctz3h9. Luckily, I also create bootable backups on a fairly regular basis.)
On the big screen issue, I've found it has less to do with the physical size of the screen as it does the screen resolution and your multi-tasking habits. If you really need more screen real estate, use the Unix screen utility or some form of desktop switching with keyboard shortcuts.
I have an Apple 23" Cinema Display as my primary monitor, and a 19" Hyundai as my second monitor. I'd be lost and be much less productive without this screen real estate.
And ever tried watching movies on a laptop? It sucks. But my Cinema Display handles this beautifully.
Glad it works for you. Won't work for me, however.
The new 18.4" (though widescreen, which is not as large as squarescreen) laptops get close. http://news.google.com/news?q=18.4+laptop
Speed is not the issue I thought it might be, and I love the multi-tough thingy; exposé and app switching via touchpad is brilliant.
MacBook Pro + 24" LCD = no wonder desktops arent selling as much