fair enough if size restrictions are deciding consideration..

i believe recent mini disc recorders provide extended record time option at cost of decreased sound quality..

Laptop should record continuously at high quality for considerable
time duration.. mobile recordings limited by battery power
[battery specs are a factor i forgot to mention]
and available hard disc space.

not sure about foot control option..
win some lose some I guess..

I do know that Laptop recording systems are now becoming
very practicable 1st choice option for latest generation
of digital audio recordists and increasingly many old-school tape fans
are converting to benefits of laptop based mobile project studios..

obviously it all depends on the purpose you need gear for,
amount of use it will get..
and how many more years you see yourself using it..

sadly, equipment and accesory manufacturering corporations take no prisoners
when phasing out old reliable much loved technologies
for shiny new sources income for their profiteering investors..