04-11-2013, 09:38 AM | #16 |
Wizard
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I feel that it has a lot to do with Windows 8. It hasn't been accepted by the masses of yet. Since most of the new PCs come with Windows 8 installed, PC users are standing pat with their Win 7 configs.
Also, for the most part there is no compelling reason to upgrade a functional PC. There has been no major chip upgrades, no major video upgrades. Those were the reasons in the past for upgrading PCs. |
04-11-2013, 10:13 AM | #17 |
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I just bought a Lenova Yoga, and I am in love with Windows 8. The reason I went with a full computer is for work --I remote into my desktop at work (yes, I picked a desktop over a laptop, because I found bitlocker to be more trouble than it is worth, and it kept screwing up my hard drive). Even the Surface, which my husband has, doesn't work, because I need a hard keyboard (for my lap, my knees, etc.) We thought our desktop was done, and we were not going to replace it (we have one of those cube ones), but it turns out it was just static, and it is running fine. And I am doing my taxes on it, and no I am not done. Worked about 15 hours last weekend, and just have to proof it this weekend. And write the check
But after work, I fold my Yoga up like a tablet to read personal email, play games, etc. I also have a Samsung 10.1 Galaxy Tab, and Kindle Fires in both sizes. I use the big KF most often, cause I can read on it after I play games. But I was able to put a 64G mini SD in my Tab, and even though the Tab doesn't recognize the card, it plays all the movies I have loaded on it. Yes, I am a gadget freak. But, I gave up my smartphone (never used it, always use my blackberry, which has camera and tweeting and games disabled. So it isn't really smart) |
04-11-2013, 12:33 PM | #18 |
Nameless Being
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There is a bit of a difference between CRT vs. LCD and computer vs. tablet. LCDs are a functional replacement for CRTs. One can be replaced by the other without altering what you can do with your computer. Tablets are not a functional replacement for computers. The hardware, system software, and application software all impose too many restrictions.
Writing is a good example of the limitations of tablets. You need a keyboard if you're going to do much writing, which means buying docking keyboard or buying a bluetooth keyboard plus a stand. If you're doing a lot of writing and you're writing in different places, carrying around and setting up that extra hardware defeats the purpose of having a tablet. Even though tablets negate the need for printing in many circumstances, it doesn't negate it completely. Unfortunately, the system and application software found on most tablets has very limited support for printers. Being able to print from your favourite printer usually involves using a computer. The maturity of word processing applications also leaves a lot to be desired. They may get the job done for simple tasks, but most (if not all) of the word processors lack features that are necessary for basic productivity in the office. Now a lot of people can get away with just using a tablet. Most of the rest will be able to function with tablets once the software matures. (Let's face it, a tablet is a computer. They have a processor and memory to do the number crunching, as well as integrated input and output devices. Most, if not all, tablets support Wi-Fi networking and USB host mode in order to expand their capabilities beyond a standalone appliance. Heck, most of them run stripped down versions of Unix that can be replaced with full featured versions of Unix if the user desires.) But most of the rest doesn't mean everyone. I don't foresee tablet operating systems aspiring to be feature complete because limited functionality, more commonly referred to as ease of use, is attractive to the people who are interested in tablets. Tablets are also going to be behind the times in terms of performance, simply because higher performance machines tend to be larger and require more power. Tablets may be the future, but they aren't going to replace computers in the way that LCDs replaced CRTs. |
04-11-2013, 02:14 PM | #19 |
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I can certainly see a day when tablet or phone form computers are the center of the personal computing experience. With the maturation of the personal area network, there's no reason to believe a bluetooth enabled computer could not automatically pair with nearby peripherals so that my portable computer outputs to nearby displays, accepts input from local keyboards and mice, and logs onto designated networks. This is not science fiction. No reason why a touch screen could not be so paired.
I suspect this is the vision for the surface devices. |
04-11-2013, 02:27 PM | #20 |
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Between writing, making covers and gaming, I still like my desktop. I'm super old though.
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04-11-2013, 03:09 PM | #21 |
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I am desktop all the way, plus tablet, plus phone. Why can't I have it all?!?!!
In fact, I'm going to go and buy me a new desktop so that I can improve those numbers. |
04-11-2013, 04:19 PM | #22 |
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No wonder.
Windows 8 is the worst Windows since Windows Millennium. |
04-11-2013, 05:18 PM | #23 |
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04-11-2013, 05:32 PM | #24 |
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I think one contributing factor to this trend is the fact that full powered desktop and laptop computers have begun to level-off with regard to advances in processing power and design, hence they are not being replaced as frequently.
Mobile electronics are in their growth spurt, with relatively dramatic changes in design and technology occurring every six to nine months. A smartphone can begin looking inadequate compared to new models months after purchase, and after 2 years downright obsolete, both technologically and by the fashion/status influenced standards of mobile leisure electronics. Toss in contract subsidization every two years in many regions, and you don't need to wonder why there's such a big turnover rate for mobile devices. Meanwhile recent generations of Intel's consumer cpus are coming out with incremental power increases of 5-7%; gone are the days of Moore's Trend. A solid desktop rig can hold its own for 5 years with very little new-tech envy. Laptops maybe a bit less, but you get the idea. |
04-11-2013, 05:45 PM | #25 | |
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Quote:
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04-11-2013, 06:12 PM | #26 | |
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Quote:
Last edited by OtterBooks; 04-11-2013 at 06:15 PM. |
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04-11-2013, 06:13 PM | #27 | |
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Quote:
(It's less noticable to the consumer, because programming for effective use of multiple processors is much harder, and pointless for most consumer software other than games, so your basic point is valid, but Moore's Law is still actually more or less on track in terms of total processing power.) |
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04-11-2013, 06:44 PM | #28 | |
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04-11-2013, 06:48 PM | #29 |
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I know a lot of people with tablets, but I don't know anyone with a tablet who doesn't have a regular computer. I think that tablets are replacing the second computer that people used to have (the same role that the netbook used to fill), but not replacing the first computer.
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04-11-2013, 07:10 PM | #30 | |
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