It seems to me that computers, as originally intended, are dead. They used to be for crunching numbers and outputting results. But today, they are used for word processing, graphic design, playing games, and the internet. So, are computers dead? We’re converging technologies into one single unit, but they aren’t computing anything, they are simply tools for the results to be delivered. So, technically, they are at the end of the channel of development and nothing but a means for people to consume the result that was created… with a computer.
While I sat pondering this idea of computers being dead for all but high-end gamers and graphic designers; Forbes put out an article on the very same topic but from a different angle. Basically, they discussed the fact that people are switching to virtual machines and dumb(smart) terminals. So, really the same thought.
One of the biggest things that I think will be coming into vogue will be the Tablet, and it will happen when Apple launches its tablet. Frankly, I can’t wait for it. The problems I’ve had with previous tablet platforms center around quality and user interface. I have had everything from the old iPaq to the HP tablet, and everything inbetween. In all cases, something effected form and function. The PC tablets were painfully low in quality when held, as if they would shatter like glass if you dropped them. They would flex when you picked them up and you could hear them make creaking sounds (I’m looking at you HP Tablet). The digitizers would be questionable towards the edges (I’m looking at you Samsung Q1 series). And finally, they’d have limited functionality which is pretty much all of the PDA style tablets like the iPaq. Yes, I’m pretty old school.
So, I can’t wait for the Apple Tablet. I hope it comes soon.
[...] So, now we know that the gaming market on the desktop is slowing down, it might be a recession indicator that is just lagging behind. I’d have to do more research for that, but what I do know is that it fits well with the title of this post. We now are poised to “make a right turn” and that means dumping desktop computers for mobile computers which are just as powerful [or more powerful] than what is sitting under or on your desk right now. I know that my MacBook Pro is faster than my desktop in all areas, but one… the video card. I have faster hard drives in my mobile computer which weighs in at 3 lbs, than I do in my desktop which weighs an unbelievable 75lbs currently. Yep. 75 Pounds of metal and plastic. My Mac Mini has faster ram, a faster hard drive, and weighs in at around the same… 3 lbs. It even drives two monitors without having any extra cards installed, unlike my PC desktop. Things have gotten very small, very fast, and now we’re moving away completely. The Desktop is Dead. [...]