1:47PM
Top 5: Reasons the Desktop Computer Will Eventually Die
It's inevitable, both the PC and the Mac have had their glory, but are now overshadowed by their soon to be successor -- the smart phone. Many companies are trying to latch onto the market for as long as possible to make that last buck, but as it seems, more and more people opt to smaller devices to do larger tasks every day.
- Almost all smart phones now come equipped with a processor that used to be found in a laptop. This ease of access makes working on these devices easier and easier every day.
- QWERTY keyboards on mobile devices makes typing documents, doing work, text messaging, and e-mailing easier than ever!
- Having the internet on a device that fits in the palm of your hand as opposed to a large desk at home.
- A great smart phone ranges from $100-$200 and a low end laptop (netbooks) is about $350. Saving $150 and performing an almost identical task is enticing.
- The final reason that a general user would ditch their desktop or laptop. Mobility. People are on the run, and they don't want to chug around a 10lb. device in their bag. Having their e-mail, internet, and entertainment all on one device that fits in your pocket really puts the icing on the cake for ditching a 10lb hunk of plastic.
Submitted by 
David Rayahin Oct 16, 2010 at 1:47 PM
David Rayahin Oct 16, 2010 at 1:47 PM
Reader Comments (14)
Um.... can you edit a full length feature film on a mobile device? Didn't think so. You may be able to have such tools in the future, but you won't be able to set every little detail to your liking. You can barely do this on a laptop computer as well. I've edited videos around 30 minutes before on my MacBook without a mouse, and it was hell. Also, you cannot pack the same power that a desktop has, in a laptop or mobile device. Although the iPhone may have the same processer as some laptop computers on the market, the iPhone only has 512mb of RAM, where most laptops have at least 2gb. Finally, the largest iPhone on the market right now has 32gb of space. The base model iMac comes with 500gb. The desktop computer won't be forgotten. Trust me.
I agree with the user above me. You cannot replace a desktop. Desktops are also used for gaming. Plus, a desktop is about 100x more powerful than any phone out there and will most likely always will be, meaning you can get things done a whole lot quicker.
Hey David Rayahin!
The Desktop Computer will never die. I much prefer desktop computers over mobile notebooks, just because parts are easily replaceable. For example: 1.) Spill coffee on a desktop keyboard.... just get a new one at the store for $20! 2.) Spill coffee on a notebook keyboard... motherboard might get damaged. I also agree with Danny.... movie editors will not edit on notebook computers... ever. Also, some people may love large monitors, and I doubt that there will ever be a 30" inch notebook computer. In the end, I am arguing that desktop computers will never die, due to the choice you have with accessories, and the power you have in them.
Thank you for all the feedback everyone! I realize that the desktop computer will never die. But, I meant that it will die for general users that want to surf the web, download music, and general multimedia. NOT for professionals!
But if you're going to say something will die, you should ALWAYS keep the uses of professionals in mind. I wouldn't be as angry if it was said that the 'general user' (whoever the heck that is) wouldn't own a desktop but this seems to be an overall summary.
Well either way the desktop would not "die" because it will still be used by media professionals and gamers who like to play on games such as Crysis.
Great article, I just don't think it would ever die. There is so much more to a desktop that a mobile device would never be able to handle. Mobility may be great, but it wouldn't be so great when you have to write a 30 page report in one night. Thumbs couldn't handle it!
LIES!
Everyone knows the thing which stops mobile devices replacing laptops is screen size, increasing the screen size makes an non-portable device. Maybe projectors could sort this out, but with current technology and predictable future technology there's no threat whatsoever of a mobile device replacing a desktop PC. Especially not for me.
I use a MacBook Pro connected to a 22" Screen as my main machine. I also do video editing in Final Cut sometimes.
I think desktops are like trucks. While 1920 near every car was a truck today just a few professionals and some others use one. Most went over to other cars.
In a few years the average user will use his smartphone for some basic tasks on the go and his tablet (iPad and others) will be his workhorse. Just some professionals will use a desktop.
1950 everyone said, nobody will have a compute at home... Do you know the future? I don't, but I don't think everything will remain the same.
I somewhat agree with this post. What I think is that even though desktops may have competition, they won’t be overshadowed.
I agree that the smart-phone will cut into the desktop market but it isn’t going to deter people from desktops entirely.
I’d say the smart-phone is for people who are generally on the run who want something, like you said, to edit documents, staying in touch with others online, and to do general surfing. But when people get home, they won’t always be using the smart-phone for general use.
In the years ahead, I’d say this line between productivity and portability will be blurred and more and more people will be able to do more and more on a pocket sized device, but who’s to say that it will be a smart-phone?
Also, iOS, Android, Windows Phone 7, and the like are the tip of the ice-berg when it comes to professionalism and portable devices. I DON’T think that it’s only going to be professionals who use a desktop. Much important, creative and popular content has been created on portable devices in the past couple of years and I can only see it becoming a bigger and better thing to do in the years to come.
I don't get what your saying. Because a laptop is NOT a desktop computer.
But what you are saying is that eventually everyone will stop using macs and start using there iphones. Which is NOT true. Because even if you can type up a document on your phone. Which is better? on a small screen where you can't even see the whole document or on a laptop? "desktop computer".
Your article is like saying "the reason why people will ditch tv's"
reason #1
1. now a days you can watch it on your phone.
2. its portable and you can watch it on the go.
dude. like really?
your comparing 2 different things.
I do not agree. Most phones do not support flash. And flash is a tool we use everyday. People need large screens. Their eyes would ache after a while looking at a small hideous screen. For some people iPhones and other phones "QWERTY" keyboards are hard to type in.
You should have got other peoples opinions before.
-Max
I agree with most of the people above me. No matter how powerful the hardware in a phone becomes, the small screen size and method of input can become frustrating after a while for even the basic user. The only way I see this possibly happening is if the hardware is equal to a desktop computer and it would have to be possible for them to be connected to a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse. But even then, that might just make it a desktop anyway.
I would much rather have a desktop/laptop than switch to all mobile for many reasons. Desktop/laptops I think are more reliable