Weekend Open Forum: Desktops doomed to irrelevancy?

[supyo]

mobile computing has come a long way but still can't hold a candle to a high powered desktop.

 

[Yoda8232]

For regular people who just use there computer to check their e-mails and other basic tasks, yes. But for the rest of us who download everything, play games, make videos, all of that, NEVER. I couldn't imagine gaming on a iPhone or some QWERTY pad hardcore 24/7...

 

[InsaneVr6]

Desktops aren't going anywhere, and every post here confirms that. I don't know about anyone else but until they make a phone as powerful as my computer with a 19inch LCD, then I am sticking to my desktop.

 

[NightAngel79]

I for one will always have a desktop, dont get me wrong, laptops are all the rave right now and will continue to grow but the desktop is a fixture in all houses, especially with me.

 

[fadownjoo]

I would say heavy computer users will have both, i use a netbook for everyday stuff, and ive got a bnice little rig at home for bigger things.

 

[dobocki]

I still use desktop PC, but now I know I need laptop more. I guess that 3 years is not enough because price is still the major reason for desktop.

 

[Vrmithrax]

As software and methods change, the desktop PC may slowly phase out, but there are 2 places it will always be strong: gaming, and secure corporate environments. As many mentioned above, gaming horsepower just cannot be matched in mobile platforms right now. There may, someday, be a point where the performance levels hit a range where more advances really won't make much difference in a game quality perspective, but that day is a long way off.

In the corporate world, the business laptop is popular, but for security reasons those are not always wanted. A solid, reliable, non-mobile computer in a secure environment is often preferred over a laptop which can be stolen, easily broken, etc. There is also lower maintenance and easier repair costs in desktop vs. mobile, which enhances their appeal in some mission-critical environments. Terminals often fill this niche, but desktop PCs are much more prevalent.

 

[maestromasada]

They said the same about the radio when TV turn up, or the newspaper when Internet grew, or people face-to-face chat when Facebook struk.. nonsese. We'll pass away, but some good things in life never die

 

[red1776]

I think about the time Moore's law is exhausted (believed to be about 5mn transistors) then they will be all portable and folks will just have a larger monitor on the desk for home and gaming.

 

[KidChaos]

I'm afraid even if portable systems get on level with desktop power/performance equivalence, most professionals will still prefer a desktop set up (even if it is all hooked to a mobile device). The need for large displays and accurate input (normal keyboard/mouse) for professionals will not change that quickly. I'd guess 20 yrs would be more accurate for desktop computers to become "irrelevant."

 

[bearspencer]

Depends upon how one defines a "desktop" PC.

I would venture that a very substantial percentage of laptops are used as "de facto" desktops, in that they occupy a specific place in the home and rarely (if ever) leave that location.

In 5 years time I foresee the current trend of laptop sales over traditional desktops reach an equalibrium as many home users will place greater value on how the computing device fits into the home environment over power, hardware upgrade or economic considerations.

Hence for those who need to upgrade their hardware capabilities on a shorter timeline will continue to opt for desktops.

 

[rufio]

i have NOT purchased a desktop in years now. it is the age of portability and on-the-go technology and this is the path of the future no doubt

 

[mrtraver]

There may, someday, be a point where the performance levels hit a range where more advances really won't make much difference in a game quality perspective, but that day is a long way off.

Interesting that you say that; just yesterday I read an article discussing that topic at Toms Hardware! The writer was talking about how graphics have not yet hit the point of diminishing returns that sound cards hit years ago, and how it is still going to be a while before integrated/mobile graphics performance will approach even today's desktop premium products.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/future-3d-graphics,2560-3.html

 

[Wabinaki]

Me and a freind were talkin about how game makers such as UBI Soft and the like are all gearing twords the console users and shutting out the desk top crowd with the goal of going strait to the console, i rember back in the day when desktops had the best grafics, its amazing how far consoles have come from the days of playstaion or super nitendo's. I hope they will continue to cater to both comunities but i relize most game companys look at profit first.

 

[mattfrompa]

I agree with many on this story. THIS....IS....RIDICULOUS!
The world of computing is of course constantly evolving, but to think that such a radical shift would happen so soon, is a stretch.

 

[Serag]

Pretty much everything was covered in this interesting open forum,
And I gotta agree, mobile and portable computing have a long way ahead of it before it replaces Desktops due to reasons covered, performance and reliability mainly..

 

[EduardsN]

I think desktops are going to sell less and less each year but they will never go away. Many people will still keep a pc for home use and games

 

[ToastOz]

You can't liquid cool the CPU,chip-set or GPU of a laptop. Enthusiasts will always go for performance over size, that is why hummers are still driving around.

 

[captaincranky]

That Said, Try This.......

At the end of the day, this isn't really about equipment preferences, it's about rampant mental retardation in the computing public.

Once upon a time, someone with their, "head in the clouds", was being referred to as a foolish dreamer, without much in the way of common sense. Now, Google execs are, in a very cavalier fashion, suggesting the everyone upload every bit of their personal information into the "cloud". So's ya don't need that clunky ol' desktop. Yeah, we''ll keep your info safe for you. Don't worry, be happy.

My feeling is that you should shut off your "smart phones" for a while, before they make you more stupid. Stare at your own reflection in the display, it's harmless, it won't hurt you, it worked for Narcissus, and it would work for you.

Hey, there's probably "an app for that".

 

[jacob007]

The TV didn`t kill radio, e-readers didn`t kill books, the PC didn`t kill paintings, laptops didn`t kill desktops, cellphones didn`t kill phones, everything just ads to the culture.

There will come a time when everything changes everything but i don`t think anything will truly die.

 

[CMH]

I wouldn't say total irrelevency. It all depends on what you mean by irrelevent. If you consider irrelevent, such as what you'd consider PDA users today, then desktops are heading that way. 3 years is a pretty distant possibility though.

Again, like someone mentioned earlier, its all about what you consider a desktop. There are desktop replacement "laptops", which imo is about as big as a desktop with low-profile parts.

With Intel coming out with integrated graphics with CPU, for all you know a deal may be announced tomorrow for a low-power GTS250 to be integrated into a mid-high end LGA1156 CPU. If this happens, laptops can become much more powerful, and may please most gamers (except the extra picky of course).

Do realise that once more people (not just gamers) shift and stop buying desktop, demand reduces, suppliers stop making them, they become more expensive, more people switch, and the next thing you know, only people who really need top-end performance will be owning desktops. God knows when this would be happening....

 

[SNGX1275]

I'd like to mention that yes, if we project the usability of smartphones/laptops into the future yes, they would make desktops irrelevant. But, software makers are going to ensure they can't, games are always going to exploit hardware to the maximum extent, same with almost every continously updated app. VERY few consumers do anything today that they could not do with a computer from 2000.

I look at what I run today, and what I ran when I was an undergrad in college (98-03) and my main computer(s) during that time run every bit as well as my main one now. The only difference is newer apps/OS.

 

[pipopaz]

I don't think it will, even when laptops, iphone and the like people still use a desktop computer.

 

[ToastOz]

Although Desktop sales would be down from computer company's like dell, compared to laptop sales. It would be interesting to see, the sales of computer products and parts for desktop PC's. As I am sure a lot of enthusiasts would make there own PC's or at least get a wholesaler to build it at a smaller cost.

 

[Fragrant Coit]

1 word... GAMING.