Death of the PC - The Gadget Show
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I'd like to see a tablet store 4TB worth of data and act as a NAS storage device, whilst doing film editing at the same time.
You can definitely hook up external drives to store/access a lot of data on a tablet and theres nothing stopping one working as a NAS technically though there doesn't tend to be much software developed for that purpose (though you can always mess around with samba). Film editing might be a bit of a chore but as I mentioned earlier its more of a software issue than a hardware one, top of the line smartphones and tablets are about progressing to the point where the performance is feasisble for that kind of use - especially if you can use the GPU hardware to accelerate the editing.
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Associate
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I'm not entirely agreeing with the show but, within the context of their target audience, they have a much stronger point. Granted they did stretch this by straying into gaming and even professional fields. But the simple fact is that a lot of people do not need a desktop. I still have mine and will not get rid of it any time soon, yet I spend more time using a tablet or laptop on the sofa, unless I am playing games that need something with a decent video card*. A quick glance at immediate family members shows a preference for laptops and tablets too. Laptops especially can handle the tasks that you list at a hobbyist level and I suspect still have some utility for pros doing the same.
On the other hand, I would much rather let a young child loose on a desktop than either of the above. At least if they break something, it is far more likely to be about thirty quid's worth of peripherals than something costing hundreds.
*My laptop is actually more powerful in most respects but Core 2 Duo CPUs apparently have some staying power, when paired with a modestly good GPU. Not to mention the relative dearth of games for OS X.
Isn't this just Tomorrow's World for a new generation?
Trying desperately to guess the future of tech whilst shooting so far off the mark it's not even visible.
Also their reviews seem to have the smell of being bought and paid for. Devices with some obvious down-points which aren't reported or even mentioned whilst raving about gimmicky features that have no real substance. I stopped watching a while ago when I realized I get more in depth reviews from some unknown on YouTube.
Trying desperately to guess the future of tech whilst shooting so far off the mark it's not even visible.
Also their reviews seem to have the smell of being bought and paid for. Devices with some obvious down-points which aren't reported or even mentioned whilst raving about gimmicky features that have no real substance. I stopped watching a while ago when I realized I get more in depth reviews from some unknown on YouTube.
Right now most of my web browsing, programming and even light video editing, etc. is done on a laptop (hooked up to a monitor, keyboard and mouse) with a Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9600 @ 2.8GHz w/ 4GB RAM and a GTX260m (basically 1GB 9800GT) and it handles everything fine - though for heavier video editing/encoding I tend to move over to one of the systems listed in my sig as those i7s beast that stuff.
Associate
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My current usage pattern is really rather basic but I have dabbled a little in 3D modelling on my current desktop, with older video cards (currently a GTX 650 Ti though I forget what I had back then). And it still handles newly released games at acceptable settings (with some exceptions, of course). So yes, it is definitely worth remembering that even older laptops and desktops exceed the requirements of many users. The i5 in my late 2011 MBP is basically overkill for just about anything I currently do and provides a lot of growing room, should that change.
There's some funny responses in the thread, although I'm not surprised given the type of forum. As a popular media news item it didn't particularly bother me but I can't disagree either.
Most of my family and friends have moved over to Laptop and Tablet for their computing tasks. And I've even seen some friends that I've regarded as hardcore PC gamers ditch the desktop gaming PC for consoles, or are thinking about not replacing their desktop gaming PC when the time comes. My last contract (ended Friday) at a large multinational company where everything was hot desking with laptops and tablets.
The truth is as a mass market device the desktop PC is and has been for a long time on the decline. We must be getting close to the point where you can only buy tablet, mobile, laptops or all-in-one units from most high street retailers - if we're not already there. Of course they'll always be the need for servers, power users or gamers that'll use desktops for while, but this will decline more or those items become their own niche market (server racks etc.).
The youtube video above of one of the presenters is priceless though.
Most of my family and friends have moved over to Laptop and Tablet for their computing tasks. And I've even seen some friends that I've regarded as hardcore PC gamers ditch the desktop gaming PC for consoles, or are thinking about not replacing their desktop gaming PC when the time comes. My last contract (ended Friday) at a large multinational company where everything was hot desking with laptops and tablets.
The truth is as a mass market device the desktop PC is and has been for a long time on the decline. We must be getting close to the point where you can only buy tablet, mobile, laptops or all-in-one units from most high street retailers - if we're not already there. Of course they'll always be the need for servers, power users or gamers that'll use desktops for while, but this will decline more or those items become their own niche market (server racks etc.).
The youtube video above of one of the presenters is priceless though.
With Android anything is possible
If I had a spare 4TB drive then I could post a better up to date pic but for now have an old SSD flavour one!
It's a shame that the USB interface is not quite as fast as SATA III.
It's a shame that the USB interface is not quite as fast as SATA III.
Note 3 is USB3 so it's not "that" far off
Caporegime
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I think they are right in some ways...
10 years ago every household wanted or had a pc. Then as laptops became cheaper most families bought a laptop..
now they realise they can browse the Web on a tablet etc and write emails and do shopping. Hence the bottom falls out of the home consumer pc market..
10 years ago every household wanted or had a pc. Then as laptops became cheaper most families bought a laptop..
now they realise they can browse the Web on a tablet etc and write emails and do shopping. Hence the bottom falls out of the home consumer pc market..
that's the one.
People are slightly missing the point I think. 10 years ago, most people had a PC for email and shopping etc because it was the most practical way. they didn't use CAD or do any video editing or anything else really. They chatted to people on AOL, then went on play.com or CD-now to order a CD. These people now have little need for a PC.
The advantages that a PC has in browsing etc probably isn't worth the cost to these people who will already have a capable phone regardless.
even though I'd still have a PC myself, there was a time not that long ago where I kept a 2nd PC just in case something happened to my main PC and to ensure I would still have internet access throughout. I wouldn't dream of doing that now because of phones and tablets.
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Exactly. Furthermore, PCs take up space and that is a bit of a PITA. Laptops or tablets can just be hidden away or used as and when, while your PC is generally an ugly thing with a monitor (or two), a keyboard and a mouse surface.
'Serious work' is done on a PC, but not many people bother with that in their leisure time, especially if you've been using one in your job.
this is the point that most people have missed.
For the vast majority of home users who just want something to do online shopping with, use facebook, maybe play a card game or something, the PC is obsolete. Its far easier, cheaper and more convenient to use a tablet or smartphone.
The only people who use desktops now are those who use it as a work tool, or the tiny percentage of the population that are enthusiasts like us. But the gadget show is not a TV show designed for overclocking or gaming enthusiasts. We're tiny in comparison with the number of people who bought £400 white boxes from PC world just to use the internet on.
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Associate
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I wonder how AIOs factor into their thinking. I mean, they seemed to focus on the beige box computer (even though comparatively few are still beige) but an AIO is a bit like a laptop that sacrifices portability for a bigger screen. It is a half way measure that can provide sufficient computing power (even pros use iMacs), whilst saving on space and arguably looking more stylish. Sure you are limited in terms of upgrades. But then how many mainstream users bother with that anyway?
Then there is small form factor. I gather some of these can even be attached to the back of a monitor, so as to create an ad hoc AIO.
One minor point that they cannot really escape is that portable computing generally means smaller screens. Even casual users still like a big screen to look at sometimes.
Then there is small form factor. I gather some of these can even be attached to the back of a monitor, so as to create an ad hoc AIO.
One minor point that they cannot really escape is that portable computing generally means smaller screens. Even casual users still like a big screen to look at sometimes.
Soldato
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Just a poorly researched piece of journalism.
Yes, I do agree the PC grew due to the need for home users to be able to access the internet but it was ever only for basic tasks so 90% of the PC / laptop features were never used. For these type of users mobile devices are more than adequate - a coffee table browser if you will.
However for more engaged activities which require effort then the laptop or PC is the only answer. Don't forget there are work regulations around ergonomics of the workspace and mobile computing does not meet those on their own.
I see PC's being around for many years to come especially in the office space.
Yes, I do agree the PC grew due to the need for home users to be able to access the internet but it was ever only for basic tasks so 90% of the PC / laptop features were never used. For these type of users mobile devices are more than adequate - a coffee table browser if you will.
However for more engaged activities which require effort then the laptop or PC is the only answer. Don't forget there are work regulations around ergonomics of the workspace and mobile computing does not meet those on their own.
I see PC's being around for many years to come especially in the office space.
Man of Honour
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I'd hate to do all my stuff on a tablet - even at home I'd rather have my laptop on my lap than a tablet - it's so much easier to switch windows/apps etc...
Anyway there will always be a market for PCs - there are too many benefits to them, especially if you like to do things online or do more than just email (but still, emailing on a tablet is a pain), heck writing big posts on here is a pain with a tablet.
This forum isn't a fair example of the demographic of course, but just in my circle of friends everyone I know uses a computer at least at work. They provide so much better productivity than a tablet can for the moment.
Anyway there will always be a market for PCs - there are too many benefits to them, especially if you like to do things online or do more than just email (but still, emailing on a tablet is a pain), heck writing big posts on here is a pain with a tablet.
This forum isn't a fair example of the demographic of course, but just in my circle of friends everyone I know uses a computer at least at work. They provide so much better productivity than a tablet can for the moment.
Associate
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As I understand it though, the show was saying that the desktop PC is dead, with laptops, tablets and smartphones being the main successors. If you predominantly use a laptop, this provides some measure of support to their case.
Man of Honour
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You're right that's what they were discussing - however, I was commenting on the fact that tablets seemed to be a popular choice over PCs which I don't get. They're a supplement to a PC not a replacement in my opinion.
I'd use a desktop if I could (I have one in storage) but I do not have the space for one in my flat. As soon as I move to larger premises I will be back on a full desktop PC.
Perhaps some people are moving away from desktop PCs, but gaming/HTPCs are becoming increasingly popular from what I've seen.
I'd use a desktop if I could (I have one in storage) but I do not have the space for one in my flat. As soon as I move to larger premises I will be back on a full desktop PC.
Perhaps some people are moving away from desktop PCs, but gaming/HTPCs are becoming increasingly popular from what I've seen.