“The comprehensive solution - a laptop with mobile internet access - is far too esoteric for the vast majority of pilots.”
That is what I do (a netbook), but in a remote location you will not get a signal.
The by-annual review instructors have been asked to push notam checking, but all the ones I know push the telephone solution. I have spent many hours teaching people to use the internet solution, but occasional pilots who are retired and never used IT soon forget.
Rod1