Is The Desktop PC Doomed?

[Daniel ~]

Written by Daniel
Monday, 02 November 2009 18:01

The rise of Web-based apps, virtualization, and a crop of powerful mobile devices have the traditional PC desktop on the run.

Well, is it? If all the buzzwords about cloud computing, Web apps, software as a service (SaaS), the free desktop, and the rise of netbooks and tablet PCs, are to be believed, it may well be. [Front page...]

[cadaveca]

The desktop hasn't left, nor will it leave...as I said many years ago, it's future lies asa central data server. We can already find such ATOM-powered boxes on the market today...yesterday's desktop computing power, relegated to serving files.

See here, from February 2009:

World's First 4-Bay Intel Atom NAS From QNAP | VR-Zone | Gadgets | PC Enthusiasts

Intel unveils its micro server platform - V3.co.uk - formerly vnunet.com

[dsio]

With how much more I use my iPhone than my desktop and laptop these days, I'm starting to wonder if I need that many computers. Main purpose for the quadcore at the moment is streaming movies to the PS3 upstairs, which is a bit... underwhelming for a 3.46Ghz C2Q.

[Gizmo]

I don't think it's doomed by any stretch of the imagination. It's days as the be-all and end-all of computing are rapidly coming to a close though.

[Daniel ~]

You'll have to pry mine from my cold dead hands... I think I borrowed that one":O}

[Samuknow]

Originally Posted by Daniel ~

You'll have to pry mine from my cold dead hands... I think I borrowed that one":O}

I'm with ya Daniel.

[candle_86]

not so long as gamers buy computers, laptops cant have the best parts, and games on a PDA or Iphone suck. The day the desktop vanish's is the day I soak myself in gasoline and light a match.

[PorPorMe]

Make sure you go Green! Low test with ethynol mix.)

[Repo Man]

That article didn't go in the direction I thought it would. What I see happening is that desktop computers have become unfashionable. Many people buy laptops because they like the size, and the idea that it is portable - but then never take it anywhere, other than the occasional trip from the kitchen table to the couch.

Most aren't aware of the disadvantages of laptops Vs. desktops. How it is more difficult to get rid of the heat because of the tight component squeeze, which shortens the life of everything. How you can always get more performance for your dollar with a desktop because it is easier and cheaper to build a computer when you have more space to work with. How upgrades of any significance are difficult to impossible. Spill your Coke? Good chance you'll need a new computer. Even if only the keyboard is ruined, that is still much more expensive than a new keyboard for a desktop. And installing a keyboard on a laptop requires mechanical skills that are beyond most people's ability.

They buy a laptop. Then they buy a standard mouse, because touchpads suck. Then they buy an external keyboard, because tiny keyboards suck. Then they buy a bigger external monitor, because they like nice big text. Then they never move it.

As it stands right now, I think of the way stereos used to be back in the seventies through the eighties (and still are among audiophiles today). People who really cared about audio quality bought discrete components, because they knew that this company made the best amplifier, while that company made the best tuner. People who didn't know any better just bought some all in one system. At this time, computers are similar.

[Daniel ~]

Thank you for a rational explanation of my emotional response! ":O}

[candle_86]

Originally Posted by Repo Man

That article didn't go in the direction I thought it would. What I see happening is that desktop computers have become unfashionable. Many people buy laptops because they like the size, and the idea that it is portable - but then never take it anywhere, other than the occasional trip from the kitchen table to the couch.

Most aren't aware of the disadvantages of laptops Vs. desktops. How it is more difficult to get rid of the heat because of the tight component squeeze, which shortens the life of everything. How you can always get more performance for your dollar with a desktop because it is easier and cheaper to build a computer when you have more space to work with. How upgrades of any significance are difficult to impossible. Spill your Coke? Good chance you'll need a new computer. Even if only the keyboard is ruined, that is still much more expensive than a new keyboard for a desktop. And installing a keyboard on a laptop requires mechanical skills that are beyond most people's ability.

They buy a laptop. Then they buy a standard mouse, because touchpads suck. Then they buy an external keyboard, because tiny keyboards suck. Then they buy a bigger external monitor, because they like nice big text. Then they never move it.

As it stands right now, I think of the way stereos used to be back in the seventies through the eighties (and still are among audiophiles today). People who really cared about audio quality bought discrete components, because they knew that this company made the best amplifier, while that company made the best tuner. People who didn't know any better just bought some all in one system. At this time, computers are similar.

well OEM computers have always been fashionable but the laptop thing is right, my mother sold her desktop, Athlon64 4000, 1gb DDR400, 6600GT for a HP Laptop with an Athlon64 3200M, 1gb DDR333, and a 6150 intergrated and she never takes it anywhere lol. I myself have a laptop also, but it doesnt get used when im at home, its a Pentium3 Mobile 700mhz, 512mb SDRAM, and intel 810IGP, its for when i go somewhere so i can check email

[cloasters]

Get rid of old faithful for a laptop? I have a Dell laptop that hasn't been used for a year, because I luv that touchpad sooo much!

[Kaitain]

What we're really seeing is that technology is becoming both powerful and cheap.

The laptop on which I'm typing this cost about 500 quid. It has identical power and performance to a desktop computer costing about 500 quid. My present phone has more power than my first dozen computers put together and costs significantly less than the first, and whenever I'm in a sensible country will connect me to the world through the internet all the time wherever I am. With a (now horribly out-of-date) PSP I'm able to watch movies, play arcade games and so forth wherever I am. My mp3 player the same, but with better sound quality.

I can and do select the most convenient device for the job, be that phone or laptop, games console or desktop PC.

With the cost element made moot, other factors such as convenience and lifestyle become important. Where I'm concerned, "convenient" does not mean having to detach myself from family life and lock myself away in the back bedroom as the desktop PC requires.

*As for longevity of components: who cares? How long do you really expect to be using anything without upgrading it thesedays?

*As for "the cloud"... Sidekick, anyone?

[cloasters]

B-but, some people have families that they want to be locked away from. Just sayin.'

[candle_86]

Originally Posted by Kaitain

What we're really seeing is that technology is becoming both powerful and cheap.

The laptop on which I'm typing this cost about 500 quid. It has identical power and performance to a desktop computer costing about 500 quid. My present phone has more power than my first dozen computers put together and costs significantly less than the first, and whenever I'm in a sensible country will connect me to the world through the internet all the time wherever I am. With a (now horribly out-of-date) PSP I'm able to watch movies, play arcade games and so forth wherever I am. My mp3 player the same, but with better sound quality.

I can and do select the most convenient device for the job, be that phone or laptop, games console or desktop PC.

With the cost element made moot, other factors such as convenience and lifestyle become important. Where I'm concerned, "convenient" does not mean having to detach myself from family life and lock myself away in the back bedroom as the desktop PC requires.

*As for longevity of components: who cares? How long do you really expect to be using anything without upgrading it thesedays?

*As for "the cloud"... Sidekick, anyone?

I dunno for 500US I can get an AMD Athlon X3, 2gb ram, and a 9600GT with windows ect on it, you cant get a gaming laptop for less than 1200US

[Daniel ~]

Seems like as a group we like to play with and use a number of devices in a "yes and" rather than a" yes instead of" way.

[candle_86]

no clue what you mean there

[Áedán]

Originally Posted by candle_86

I dunno for 500US I can get an AMD Athlon X3, 2gb ram, and a 9600GT with windows ect on it, you cant get a gaming laptop for less than 1200US

Why do I need such a power computer to play a game? I could just sign up to something like OnLive, who do the grunt lifting, and just use my computer as a terminal?

Besides, how much is a PS3 or XBox 360 these days?

[dsio]

Killzone 2 on the PS3 sort of convinced me that there was no need to buy a new graphics card. Wow.

[Kaitain]

Originally Posted by candle_86

I dunno for 500US I can get an AMD Athlon X3, 2gb ram, and a 9600GT with windows ect on it, you cant get a gaming laptop for less than 1200US

[citation needed]

Just in case I was imagining things, I checked at the local computer mall in Jubail, and online with dabs, and for the 450 - 500 UK Pounds price point, the systems were basically identical, and not particularly brilliant (Intel graphics, low-end processor, that sort of thing). Am checking with the brother-in-law what that sort of money would buy in China.

Just remember that most people aren't computer enthusiasts and won't shop harder than Walmart or Dixons.