I have mentioned often that it appears that the jointer is the most mis-sized tool in the workshop (unless you have a big shop and can put an 8" to 16" jointer in it). The small workshop typically has a 6" jointer while a planer is 12" or over. Most of the wood I get is between 5 and 8 inches wide. For much of it you have to play some sort of trick to plane the first side before "thicknessing" it. I have just seen many jointer/planers at UK sites that don't have this problem. Most projects are not constrained by problems with the length, but by problems with the width unless they are massive projects and then roller stands could do for the few occasions where this problem comes up.
Why doesn't the woodworking magazine community address this? I think the problem is that few woodworkers (possibly myself included) wonder if there is a problem with the combo machines and have never given them a chance. (Of course one of the problems is that they are relatively expensive). With that thought in mind, it would seem that a combo machine could be made from the concept of a portable planer. That machine came about when a planer (thicknesser) was needed that could work for a small, low volume home shop. I do know that some of the combo machines are expensive. The Rikon RPJ10 is being sold by Woodcraft Supply. Maybe it is time to review these machines in mass.
Out of curiosity, I wonder how many people would choose an 8" jointer with its associated size IF IT SOLD FOR the SAME PRICE as a smaller 6 inch jointer? How many of you would buy that more massive machine instead of the 6 inch?