General Discussion

Bjorn Against

(12,041 posts)

34. From a technological perspective you are absolutely correct

Sat Jan 26, 2013, 01:54 PM

Jan 2013

From a practical perspective however I think that tablets will become powerful enough to make desktop towers impractical for typical home use. I should have specified in my post that desktops will be obsolete for home use, businesses will still need to use the towers if they need to process huge amounts of data at rapid speeds, but as far as home software goes everything is going to be made to run on tablets within a few years.

What is going to happen is that everything is going to be invested into making software run well enough on tablets that the general population will be happy with their performance, desktop prices are then going to skyrocket in price because they will become a technology focused on business needs rather than personal computing needs. So while you are correct that the larger machines will always be more powerful they will also become further removed from the average consumer. I am not saying this is a good thing, but it is the direction I see things headed.

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Has the ‘Death of the PC’ Been Greatly Exaggerated? [View all] RKP5637 Jan 2013 OP

I use my laptop most of the time, but I still like having the desktop, too... cynatnite Jan 2013 #1

Extremely exaggerated... Cooley Hurd Jan 2013 #2

Give us a virtual, adjustable keyboard and I will agree with this. randome Jan 2013 #3

"something to replace the keyboard entirely".....Ok, here ya go: dixiegrrrrl Jan 2013 #66

I suspect that when people create things like that, kentauros Jan 2013 #152

The PC is still the best choice for many tasks Blecht Jan 2013 #4

VR is very close to being there -Dragon (after Nuance took it over) has really made great strides... Cooley Hurd Jan 2013 #7

There will be a variety of forms. ToxMarz Jan 2013 #5

PCs are never going to die, they will just change with the times Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #6

Asus, Toshiba, Acer and Fujitsu make tablets that dock to keyboards... Cooley Hurd Jan 2013 #8

Yes, and soon all of those brands will have tablets that run PC software as well Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #16

One is expected in February Confusious Jan 2013 #40

Wow, I haven't seen that one yet but with an i7 processer it sure sounds promising Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #45

What is the advantage of a tablet over a notebook? WinkyDink Jan 2013 #68

Mainly portability. Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #71

Thank you so much for that info/link! DeschutesRiver Jan 2013 #100

Win 8 is very stable... Cooley Hurd Jan 2013 #125

In other words... It's a TABLET that becomes a LAPTOP. TheBlackAdder Jan 2013 #151

Not really... all have Core i5's Cooley Hurd Jan 2013 #156

Even if they get an i7, there are different variants of it. TheBlackAdder Jan 2013 #157

Mostly due to the lack of a powerful video card. Cooley Hurd Jan 2013 #160

Powerful processors and video cards demand two things: Power & Cooling TheBlackAdder Jan 2013 #164

Don't ask me to use those little screens and keyboards. moondust Jan 2013 #9

+++ 1,000,000 +++ n/t RKP5637 Jan 2013 #10

Absolutely! kentauros Jan 2013 #153

I'm in the middle of this supernova Jan 2013 #11

Tablets need a better interface first. Dash87 Jan 2013 #12

Exactly!!! n/t RKP5637 Jan 2013 #13

Or graphics DollarBillHines Jan 2013 #70

Yep!!! n/t RKP5637 Jan 2013 #74

If the dictation programs improve you may not need to type much. dkf Jan 2013 #20

True. They still need a lot of work, though. Dash87 Jan 2013 #23

lol, if someone in my office was dictating to their computer OriginalGeek Jan 2013 #103

Thanks for the laugh! kentauros Jan 2013 #154

Most tablets already do support keyboards and allow you to hook them to any high def television Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #21

I think you're right. Dash87 Jan 2013 #24

The day a tablet PC becomes as powerful as a desktop, backscatter712 Jan 2013 #31

From a technological perspective you are absolutely correct Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #34

Doubt that Confusious Jan 2013 #41

Tablets are already playing graphically advanced games Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #42

I still doubt it Confusious Jan 2013 #47

With online streaming of games however processing power could become a moot point Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #55

With that scheme, you're going to have some nasty lag. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #59

OnLive is already up and running and it is said to run quite well Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #63

I doubt they're going to be doing 3D game streaming Confusious Jan 2013 #83

As I said, it is already happening Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #85

Seems like a looser Confusious Jan 2013 #89

It may not have taken off yet, but it will Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #92

Two major problems Confusious Jan 2013 #96

It is bigger than one company Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #97

Well, I for one hope it goes the way Confusious Jan 2013 #98

Key deficiency: tablets CANNOT be user upgraded. Occulus Jan 2013 #121

Very true. Gamers are always going to demand more horsepower. n/t backscatter712 Jan 2013 #43

My prediction: For gamers, VR's going to make a comeback. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #64

I do it all the time. nadinbrzezinski Jan 2013 #30

I bought a tablet last year and I hate it! William769 Jan 2013 #14

Well if you need more space in your closet I will find your junk a good home :) Exultant Democracy Jan 2013 #58

I love using my nexus tablet on the go quinnox Jan 2013 #15

You can't really work on a tablet. At least I can't. No file management system forestpath Jan 2013 #17

File Management for Android SayWut Jan 2013 #28

Thanks for the info! forestpath Jan 2013 #37

The way to understand how Android works is to remember it's Linux under the hood. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #116

With wireless based devices, I think the old all in one box PC is doomed ThoughtCriminal Jan 2013 #18

There's a lot of reasons for NOT having any of your data in the cloud. hobbit709 Jan 2013 #128

Those issues can be addressed ThoughtCriminal Jan 2013 #137

Any of my extremely sensitive date is kept on a flash drive that is not plugged into the computer hobbit709 Jan 2013 #138

Not sure, but I build my own PCs. The DIY community is thriving. EastKYLiberal Jan 2013 #19

Same here! n/t RKP5637 Jan 2013 #62

I have a tablet and laptop tabbycat31 Jan 2013 #22

I think theKed Jan 2013 #25

What's the first thing people do with tablets? backscatter712 Jan 2013 #26

Right, they get a keyboard. Then they have TWO devices to lug around instead of one. randome Jan 2013 #35

Exactly as you said, it's a marketing/sales gimmick to push everyone into their walled gardens!!! RKP5637 Jan 2013 #76

I use my tablet for fun. I use my desktop for work. GreenPartyVoter Jan 2013 #27

Phone and tablet are fine for e-mail and Facebook. Atman Jan 2013 #29

If I can't type on it, its useless for work bhikkhu Jan 2013 #32

Yes, it has. SayWut Jan 2013 #33

Something else to consider ikri Jan 2013 #36

I think you're right on about that. randome Jan 2013 #39

If I may be a techno-geek for a moment Confusious Jan 2013 #44

Don't forget about SSD's IDemo Jan 2013 #52

Agreed, but ikri Jan 2013 #61

I agree about the lifespan of desktops being longer. I just upgraded two of mine to Windows 8. denverbill Jan 2013 #56

Take a look at Dell's new Project Opheila ... it may be a hint of where Dell is going LastDemocratInSC Jan 2013 #38

Yep! Interesting!!! n/t RKP5637 Jan 2013 #114

Dell was, last I checked, a strong backer of the Republican Party and its ideals and goals Occulus Jan 2013 #122

Which PC maker is a strong backer of the Democratic Party and it's ideals and goals? Cobalt Violet Jan 2013 #134

That's part of the reason I don't buy PCs "off the shelf" Occulus Jan 2013 #144

Not going to happen duffyduff Jan 2013 #46

I use my iPad and Galaxy Note 2 many times throughout the day. Apophis Jan 2013 #48

Self-pronounced geeks have been trying desperately to kill the PC for years IDemo Jan 2013 #49

I For One, Agree WiffenPoof Jan 2013 #50

I've seen some off those projected keyboards. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #60

I think it's the "ooooo, shiny!" factor Retrograde Jan 2013 #51

As a translator, I still need a full-scale (Mac) laptop for Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #53

My tablet is more expendable than my PC or phone. Buzz Clik Jan 2013 #54

Of course it's exaggerated kimtjj195_tx Jan 2013 #57

No tablet can do what my pc can do... RedCappedBandit Jan 2013 #65

Same here, plus I custom build my PCs, run Linux, and no way can a tablet on a RKP5637 Jan 2013 #75

Exactly. RedCappedBandit Jan 2013 #93

I hope so; I'm on one. I like the "real desk" set-up. WinkyDink Jan 2013 #67

Still need a desktop for applications that take a lot of power (gaming for one) SWTORFanatic Jan 2013 #69

They'll ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #72

Yyyyyyep. In fact, I just bought a new PC this past week. n/t cherokeeprogressive Jan 2013 #73

It may appear so to people who are always moving.. annabanana Jan 2013 #77

I sit here with a 24' LCD screen, full size KB, a power Tower, I buildup my own PCs to my specs., RKP5637 Jan 2013 #79

Yep. hobbit709 Jan 2013 #130

Hard to do on a matchbook sized Tablet, LOL. n/t RKP5637 Jan 2013 #131

Plus you're much less likely to step out in front of traffic while playing with the touchscreen hobbit709 Jan 2013 #129

I love my Kindle, but am not really interested in having a tablet. winter is coming Jan 2013 #78

Yep!!! I like the tablet for the road, but at home I want my full size desktop with a large screen RKP5637 Jan 2013 #81

my dell desktop is still running after 4 years madrchsod Jan 2013 #80

My first PC was a dell in the late 80's. A system 310 Dell desktop and was the RKP5637 Jan 2013 #84

I much prefer my PC to my iPad Blue_In_AK Jan 2013 #82

I did a lot of traveling recently and took a Tablet. I don't think there's much quite as RKP5637 Jan 2013 #86

I hear ya. Blue_In_AK Jan 2013 #90

"The anvil bag" is what I've heard some call their laptop carrying cases, winter is coming Jan 2013 #95

"The anvil bag" Yep, that's it!!! Excellent description!!! RKP5637 Jan 2013 #101

I prefer my desktop unless i need portability Marrah_G Jan 2013 #87

Yep, exactly the same here! I love my desktop. It's fast, I built it up myself, I maintain it, RKP5637 Jan 2013 #88

And gaming on a laptop or tablet is impossible! Marrah_G Jan 2013 #91

I game on my laptop all the time and it works great Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #127

to small for me Marrah_G Jan 2013 #132

You just have to make sure you get a laptop with a dedicated graphics chip Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #133

The Tablet is the "PC" of the Future--Most responses here are focusing on the now... Moonwalk Jan 2013 #94

I worked in R&D and IT for decades and I think your analysis is right on ... in the positions I RKP5637 Jan 2013 #111

When the tablet of tomorrow becomes as powerful as the PC of today... backscatter712 Jan 2013 #112

Nope. Not going to need a powerhouse PC. All they'll need is a powerhouse computer... Moonwalk Jan 2013 #123

Try to play World of Warcraft or Guild Wars II on your IPad........ DainBramaged Jan 2013 #99

definitely false. JesterCS Jan 2013 #102

A computer that doesn't collect dust Duer 157099 Jan 2013 #104

LOL!!! Mine is a huge vacuum cleaner!!! RKP5637 Jan 2013 #105

Funny, I just went through this myself. knitter4democracy Jan 2013 #106

Yep!!! n/t RKP5637 Jan 2013 #107

We've been talking about this a lot at work. I work for a small IT provider. I think we'll WhollyHeretic Jan 2013 #108

Your last sentence is an excellent point!!! n/t RKP5637 Jan 2013 #109

Tablets & phones are no substitute for the full service of laptops & desktops. Honeycombe8 Jan 2013 #110

Yeah, that's what I think too. It's a matter of size. On the road, tablets are nice as are phones. RKP5637 Jan 2013 #124

What provider do you use for VOIP? I'm running across more people who are using VOIP. Honeycombe8 Jan 2013 #162

I use an OBi110 off my router and then Callcentric as my VOIP provider. A nice RKP5637 Jan 2013 #163

Thanks. nt Honeycombe8 Jan 2013 #165

To seriously type, I need a real keyboard krispos42 Jan 2013 #113

Clever!!! "... that I installed a Morse code one that I usually use." RKP5637 Jan 2013 #115

it's not bad krispos42 Jan 2013 #166

Dont worry Be happy, lol RKP5637 Jan 2013 #168

My current smartphone has a hard keyboard. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #117

i have a Galaxy S3 krispos42 Jan 2013 #118

The Galaxy S3 doesn't sound half bad... backscatter712 Jan 2013 #147

Same here. I can type on full-sized keyboard about as fast as talking. Hoyt Jan 2013 #155

i can probably type 30 or 40 wpm krispos42 Jan 2013 #158

I'd try it, but SOS is all I know. Hoyt Jan 2013 #159

hmmmm... krispos42 Jan 2013 #167

The high-end desktop / workstation form-factor is hard to replace entanglement Jan 2013 #119

I think for many the Tablet might be the solution they want ... The Tablet with RKP5637 Jan 2013 #126

I agree - the tablet will be adequate for many (not all) users entanglement Jan 2013 #141

yes samsingh Jan 2013 #120

PCs are the most cost-effective A Little Weird Jan 2013 #135

That what I do, I buildup my own PCs to my specs and run Linux. The ones here go 7x24, except for RKP5637 Jan 2013 #136

Linux A Little Weird Jan 2013 #139

Ubuntu is great ... so is Linux Mint IMO, based on Ubuntu. I like Linux Mint because I don't RKP5637 Jan 2013 #140

Right now, I'm running Kubuntu. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #146

I love KDE. I tried it earlier and it had gotten pretty sucky. I should give it a try again sometime RKP5637 Jan 2013 #148

There were difficulties with KDE when they transitioned from 3.0 to 4.0. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #149

Thanks for the update! Great to hear !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t RKP5637 Jan 2013 #150

I type for a living, often for 10+ hours each day, sometimes much longer War Horse Jan 2013 #142

Thanks!!! RKP5637 Jan 2013 #143

Here's an interesting article: The PC isn’t ready to die, it’s ready for a rebirth. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #145

Desktops are big clunky boxes customerserviceguy Jan 2013 #161