BBC: Does the PC have a future?

[Vivi22]

Well, no, not going to happen. Fact is that no matter how good you make the hardware for portable devices the hardware for stationary computers will always be better. Miniaturisation always has it's costs, usually in capabilities, thermal retention and power supply.

This is certainly true, but I'm hesitant to say it will never happen when it comes to technology. It's always somewhat hard to predict where things will go, or where the next quantum leap in technology will be, and we may find ourselves reaching a point where the most powerful hardware on the market can be easily portable and power efficient enough to make sense in a laptop form or something similar, or we'll have cloud computing to such a point where it doesn't make sense to use the actual machine sitting on your desk as anything more than an access terminal while the actual number crunching is done in a server farm somewhere else.

Fact is, the machine we actually interact with directly may change a lot in the future. But in the immediate future, as in the next 10-20 years, I don't see the modern conception of a desktop PC disappearing.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

As much as it pains me to say it I agree with most of that article. The industry is changing and the Desktop is being rapidly replaced by the laptop and other devices. Most PC users use their home PCs to surf the web, e-mail, maybe watch a few shows on Netflix et al, and play the odd game. These tasks can all be done on a current generation Tablet, Netbook, or smartphone. Face it a PC is a big thing, and it is almost a piece of furniture (including the screen, keyboard, desk, etc).

I, for one, am slightly saddened, but also excited. We are experiencing a sea change in the way people use computers. Almost a revolution. I am pumped to see where this goes. Widespread Mobile computing is going to change a lot of things.

As for PC games... well if a new generation of consoles comes out that may spur developers and push PC tech again. Perhaps.

The PC isn't dead. It's regenerating into something new.

<url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/the-big-picture/2911-PC-Gaming-Is-Dead-Long-Live-PC-Gaming>Moviebob said it really well.

 

[Joccaren]

The industry needs high end PCs. It does. Not every industry, but some industries, especially the gaming industry and industries involving video editing, require at least a reasonable Desktop, Laptops and Netbooks and such just can't cope with what is needed. Hell, I've got some relatively low end video editing software and its pretty system intensive, even on new hardware.

On top of that, gaming needs PCs. Not for development, but for the pinnacle play experience. If gaming moved purely to consoles, it would lose a fair portion of its market, myself included. And as long as we keep getting games like BF3, even if only occasionally, we will have people that will strive to get the best out of them, and will sink hundreds of dollars into a system capable of doing so.

No, PCs aren't going anywhere. As I believe has been stated they are merely becoming specialised. Portable PCs such as netbooks and such for mobility, Desktop PCs for capability, and Laptops for a cross between. All are types of PC, they are just specialised forms of it.

 

[Creator002]

I've a Xbox 360, PS3, original Xbox, Gameboy Color and an iPhone and I still use my PC a lot more during the day than all of those combined. I use my iPhone for browsing the web, but only when not on my PC, which is rare or at night (also rare, sort of).
I use my PC to make games, to program, video-edit, instant message and play games. I only play my Xbox 360 a few times a week and that's when my friend bugs me. I'm thinking of selling the entire system because I use my PC more. I also never use the PS3, but it's my sister's.

Basically, what I'm saying is the PC will always have a place somewhere. It will never die out, unless another contraption that does all the functions a PC can and more as well as being called something else, though I think PCs have pretty much everything covered unless the new machine gives out free pie or sex.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Well, no, not going to happen. Fact is that no matter how good you make the hardware for portable devices the hardware for stationary computers will always be better. Miniaturisation always has it's costs, usually in capabilities, thermal retention and power supply.

This is certainly true, but I'm hesitant to say it will never happen when it comes to technology. It's always somewhat hard to predict where things will go, or where the next quantum leap in technology will be,

Quantum computing. There are already quantum computers commercially available if you have a spare $10mil or so to burn. What you'd do with one if you aren't in a field that relies heavily on quantum calculations is beyond me, though.

and we may find ourselves reaching a point where the most powerful hardware on the market can be easily portable and power efficient enough to make sense in a laptop form or something similar, or we'll have cloud computing to such a point where it doesn't make sense to use the actual machine sitting on your desk as anything more than an access terminal while the actual number crunching is done in a server farm somewhere else.

I think the traditional laptop will go long before the desktop does. Smart gadgets and slate/tablet computers will see to that. High portability plus growing power (their technological improvement is outpacing pretty much anything else at the moment) is definitely a threat to their market except as Desktop Replacements (laptops that never move from the desk).

As for computing clouds... I remain unconvinced. The biggest problem is the aging telecommunications infrastructure and it's inherent limitations. The bandwidth just isn't there for everyone to move to cloud and, taking into consideration the growth of processing capabilities, will always struggle to meet demand. Just have a look at the problems that the increasing popularity of wireless internet access is starting to cause - it's beginning to choke the cell networks in areas of high user density.

The other problem I personally have with an overuse of cloud computing is that it takes away control of the technology we use from us.

However, there is one idea I've seen kicked around now and then that I think does have merit - 'home' hub based computing... where a central unit acts as the primary processing and storage centre for everyone's gadgets (that have their own limited secondary processing and storage for when on the go). Basically a small supercomputer in the home (or office or whereever) that can handle the bulk of processing requests from all the devices in it's network... sort of like a Home Theatre PC meets small server farm. Hell, apart from gadgets that can switch from local/independent mode to network/terminal mode, all the tech to do it exists... it's just a bit bulky and expensive for most people at the moment.

I would totally get one now if I had the money to build it... and yes, it would hold pride of place on my desk (although I might need to buy a bigger desk or even have it built into a desk, that would be awesome).

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Basically, what I'm saying is the PC will always have a place somewhere. It will never die out, unless another contraption that does all the functions a PC can and more as well as being called something else, though I think PCs have pretty much everything covered unless the new machine gives out free pie or sex.

Here's a word for you to look up: Teledildonics

In technical terms it just means transmitting physical sensation...

However, most companies that use the term do so because of the high recognition value of the middle section of it and the relevence to their line of products... although let's just say they'd give new meanings to terms like "rumble pack" and "force feedback"...