Yes, I use search engines less on Cell phone and Tablet since it is harder to type on them, so I just bookmark sites and blogs to read instead of search for sites. I'm also more likely to use the most viewed section on sites rather then built-in search engine on the site because it requires no typing.
The bigger 3DS XL looks like a pretty good sized handheld for surfing non-mobile websites.
Using the 3DS to search the web to find articles on how to fix a broken computer can be a good idea since it is faster then going to school or the library to look for articles on how to fix a computer.
I read on a forum that a member's computer won't turn on and only his DS or 3DS can go online because his PC is broken.
But, sadly a lot of websites still don't look good on smaller screens.