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  1. #1
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    Primary Computer in 5 years

    Hello All,
    Research is showing that there will be a rapid movement from Desktops/Laptops to tablets and other portable mobile devices in the future. Only 1/3 of these will run Windows.

    SmartPhones/Tablets are getting more powerful every month, they are now selling affordable Quad Core and Dual Core Tablets and Smartphones.

    There is also a growing trend showing the migration away from "fat client" applications to web based HTML5 applications, which support almost any platform and browser.

    So, my question to you is what will you be using in 5 years as your primary computer?

    In my case, it will be both a tablet and smart phone
    Keith I Myers
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  2. #2
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    thats not correct.

    its not a 'move' from desktop/laptops. its mobile devices bringing low-level computing to the places where you could not bring desktop/laptops.

    the means to work will remain the same as far as desktops/laptops are concerned. you cant code or write anything efficiently in a tablet screen.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by unity100 View Post
    thats not correct.

    its not a 'move' from desktop/laptops. its mobile devices bringing low-level computing to the places where you could not bring desktop/laptops.

    the means to work will remain the same as far as desktops/laptops are concerned. you cant code or write anything efficiently in a tablet screen.
    Your right, I could have been more clear. The statement is more true for consumer machines.

    Work machines will most likely remain un-touched. I am a coder so I need the extra horsepower in my desktop.
    Keith I Myers
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  4. #4
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    The laptops/desktops will stay there however there will be an increasing demand for tablets/mobiles for complementing the former ones for keeping in touch when someone is out of office etc.

  5. #5
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    I haven't turned on my desktop system in Months. Now that laptops are sufficiently fast, I don't personally have the need for a desktop anymore.

  6. #6
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    I'm with unity and benjohnsonfs on this. I don't see laptops/desktops being replaced altogether anytime soon, at least not based on the current input methods for tablets/smartphones.

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  7. #7
    I think I will always have a laptop but I plan on adding a tablet as well. at the office I have my work station that I will RDP to, to use applications that i can not use on my phone at the moment.
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  8. #8
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    I love having my massive screens, my changeable keyboards/mice and the ability the customize the look and specs of my system. I will not be changing from my desktop any time soon I find it painful to do any software development on my laptop.

    I am looking to upgrade my smartphone soon though, hoping for something with a bit more power so I don't have to wait 20 minutes to check my emails/twitter, and something that will actually recognize my screen touches.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by KMyers View Post
    Your right, I could have been more clear. The statement is more true for consumer machines.

    Work machines will most likely remain un-touched. I am a coder so I need the extra horsepower in my desktop.
    The operating system in tablets suck. I've seen Ice Cream Sandwich on a tablet and admittedly it was pretty cool, but the function of a tablet will not compare to a device with an actual keyboard. The primary user group of computers are still not fully comfortable with touch screen. And the cost of say an iPad 2 + bluetooth keyboard/case is more expensive than a netbook, laptop or computer. And on top of that the OS sucks for multi-tasking and productivity.

    If the upgrade history of iOS is any indication of how quickly mobile operating systems will progress, then it will take a lot longer than 5 years to have a productive mobile platform. Android and Windows may be able to overtake iOS in terms of usability and popularity, but that is yet to be seen.

    I think in the workplace we'll see more use of thin clients and cloud based services. I don't see tablets being useful in the workplace. For home use I see them being a secondary computing device and not a primary for the majority of computer purchasers. Younger, less tech savvy crowds may adopt a primary tablet based option first. But in five years it will not be the majority. Sales may show otherwise because these devices will become obsolete more quickly than the typical desktop or laptop making them even more expensive in the long term.

    BTW, why the name change?

  10. #10
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    I personally feel Desktops and Laptops are here to stay. I mean, with small screens and limited functionalities, you may get to reply your mails or do occasional browsing on tablets or smart phones. But for serious work, you simply can't rely on them. Desktop is the best, if you ask me. Cheap to procure, easy to maintain and robust in nature.

  11. #11
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    and in tomorrow, as hardware gets smaller, laptop will be a non concept.

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...3179429&type=3

    SAPPHIRE Edge HD3.

    all you need, is to have a screen to plug it in where you go. and screens will also be a non-issue as new stuff materializes ( there are already foldable lcd screens if im not mistaken). and there is even the concept of 'pen' computer, which is conceptualized to use a small projector to project the screen to a flat surface.

  12. #12
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    It really depends on your objectives. A light-weight user will follow the trend, switching to tablet-only, and then holography-centric, happily sacrificing portability for functionality. Gamers, artists, programmers, etc., will be slower to the uptake. Traditional computing has a lot of benefits to these types of people. So in five years, I personally see my primary computer exactly the same. My laptop, however, will more than likely be a tablet of some sort, as my laptop is really just an overly complicated typewriter.

    Future trends, however, include pc-to-go's, where a whole pc is held on a thumb drive, or a pen, and PnP monitors will crop up in public terminals. And has holography improves, eventually the need for a monitor and keyboard will be replaced. This coincides with the gradual decrease of user-dependent computing power. With the advancement of SaaS and streaming video, a lot more will be done server-side.

    What would be wild is if we each had unique identitiers, somehow, and we could use a public terminal anywhere, and it'll automagically link to our computing instance in some big-brother-esque central platform. This would, of course, cause two issues: you'd have the payphone problem, and then you'd have the paranoid (not disputing justification in this case). It would also make a convenient target for terrorism, or war, although I'd imagine a DR solution would be in place.

    One last thing, I really see the internet as defining the future of computing. As wifi and wireless broadband improve in speeds, so too will our reliance on it as a central resource; maybe even more central than processing and storage.

  13. #13
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    The laptops that have the power to do what i need to do are all basically electric heaters. They have the power of desktops, but sadly not the airflow. I have had several multi-core laptop and the pretty much require a cool-pad to prevent them from overheating. I agree droids, tablets, net-books are more for convenience than power. To me a tablet is no more useful than an e-reader with a wi-fi connection. If you absolutely have to have the touch screen, a dell duo running linux is a better choice.

    They have a long way to go before a tablet will be able to replace a desktop, a very long way. Most day to day users will be able to get by with lesser power. For the majority of the people I know, a desktop is at their core of their computing needs. Anything else is of little use.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by SCRAPPPY25 View Post
    The laptops that have the power to do what i need to do are all basically electric heaters. They have the power of desktops, but sadly not the airflow. .
    new amd fusion laptops are cooler than body temperature. you may wanna check them out.

  15. #15
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    I just may. The Toshiba I7 runs way to hot, another is a Dell XPS. Both are great machines, but cant be used w/o cooling. Alien ware I7 is another, but isn't so heavy u wouldn't want to carry it anywhere.

  16. #16
    As a designer/developer I would only consider a tablet a toy for the most part. I'd love one for either the bathroom or laying in bed to read books on, other than that I would never be productive with one. It's bad enough writing an email with my iPhone

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by LandingPower View Post
    As a designer/developer I would only consider a tablet a toy for the most part. I'd love one for either the bathroom or laying in bed to read books on, other than that I would never be productive with one. It's bad enough writing an email with my iPhone
    Same here
    Add gaming to that
    Seriously, the PC isn't going anywhere at all. Nor is the laptop
    Tablets are good, but they're limited. I don't want to have to deal with crappy keyboards, give me a REAL keyboard. I shouldn't have to replace my whole system if something goes bad, just give me the parts to replace and i'm good to go.
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  18. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by linux-tech View Post
    Same here
    Add gaming to that
    Seriously, the PC isn't going anywhere at all. Nor is the laptop
    Tablets are good, but they're limited. I don't want to have to deal with crappy keyboards, give me a REAL keyboard. I shouldn't have to replace my whole system if something goes bad, just give me the parts to replace and i'm good to go.
    yeah I think the only people it's gonna place computers for are those that just use facebook on their phones, which I feel like has already been done for those types.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by prashanth[HC] View Post
    I personally feel Desktops and Laptops are here to stay. I mean, with small screens and limited functionalities, you may get to reply your mails or do occasional browsing on tablets or smart phones. But for serious work, you simply can't rely on them. Desktop is the best, if you ask me. Cheap to procure, easy to maintain and robust in nature.
    Just get a docking station with a monitor and keyboard and you are all set. When they become available there won't really be a need for both. I will miss choosing my own parts though. Took a 2006 computer, slapped on a newer video card and can max all of the games thrown at it up to 2010ish games and that was with a budget card. With the phones and tablets etc if you want to upgrade you buy a new one

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by KMyers View Post
    Hello All,
    Research is showing that there will be a rapid movement from Desktops/Laptops to tablets and other portable mobile devices in the future. Only 1/3 of these will run Windows.

    SmartPhones/Tablets are getting more powerful every month, they are now selling affordable Quad Core and Dual Core Tablets and Smartphones.

    There is also a growing trend showing the migration away from "fat client" applications to web based HTML5 applications, which support almost any platform and browser.

    So, my question to you is what will you be using in 5 years as your primary computer?

    In my case, it will be both a tablet and smart phone
    Laptops won't be replaced. I would 100% rather travel with a laptop than a tablet.

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by JohnJ View Post
    Laptops won't be replaced. I would 100% rather travel with a laptop than a tablet.
    Ditto
    I love my phone, but there's no way I'd give up my laptop.
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  22. #22
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    Don't forget that in future desktop monitors may have touch enabled, if price is right.

  23. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by hellind2 View Post
    Don't forget that in future desktop monitors may have touch enabled, if price is right.
    i think that's another thing that's only appealing to consumers... as a designer i see no use for that unless it doubled as a wacom tablet or something

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