CNET Says All In One Desktops may replace standard Desktops

[k2spitfire88]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10228435-1.html

Pretty interesting article. My question to you all is, is this due to Apple and the iMac, or did that at least encourage it? Also, do you think these will replace standalone desktops for Standard Consumers (not Macrumors members)?

[PlaceofDis]

i don't think Apple is the sole reason for this, as usual, the answer is much more complex than that. i think the fact that computing power has caught up and is - for a lot of average people - beyond powerful enough for everyday needs such as web browsing, email, word, etc, that upgrading your tower is less and less needed, and seeing how well done an AIO can look and function (Apple) i think has helped push people too. that, and computer prices have come down so much that even with an AIO, when it's time to upgrade its not a huge cost to replace everything, as thats what most people do anyways.

/end rant.

[k2spitfire88]

Yea, I didn't make myself clear, I meant did Apple and the iMac help push the industry this way. Thanks for the response

[BittenApple]

Yea, I didn't make myself clear, I meant did Apple and the iMac help push the industry this way. Thanks for the response

Even before the iMac, Apple was pushing all in ones. Does anyone remember the classic all in ones, or perhaps the LC/Performa/PowerMac lines of all in ones?

Apple's influence spreads more than the last 12 years.

[k2spitfire88]

Even before the iMac, Apple was pushing all in ones. Does anyone remember the classic all in ones, or perhaps the LC/Performa/PowerMac lines of all in ones?

Apple's influence spreads more than the last 12 years.

I actually forgot about those. I was a Windows guy until a few years ago when I began to get interested in Apple's products. I do remember those old AIO's now that you mention it though.

[nickane]

Desktops AIOs will only dominate if they offer expansion slots. Only apple fans are fervent enough to put up with planned obsolescence (at a premium no less). After 4 years with a gfx card that was 3 years out of date when I got it, no fw800, gig-E, or 802.11n, I cannot wait to ditch my G5 imac for a mini with a decent display, so that I can just swap out the computer and keep the screen every time I need a new feature, without breaking the bank.

There's no way I'll be making that mistake again, especially with Apple still languishing behind equivalent PCs on such important features as built-in Bluray.

[k2spitfire88]

Desktops AIOs will only dominate if they offer expansion slots. Only apple fans are fervent enough to put up with planned obsolescence (at a premium no less). After 4 years with a gfx card that was 3 years out of date when I got it, no fw800, gig-E, or 802.11n, I cannot wait to ditch my G5 imac for a mini with a decent display, so that I can just swap out the computer and keep the screen every time I need a new feature, without breaking the bank.

There's no way I'll be making that mistake again, especially with Apple still languishing behind equivalent PCs on such important features as built-in Bluray.

But, is that relevant to standard users, as in not your typical Macrumors member? My experience has been that most consumers buy a tower, screen, mouse, and keyboard all together. And many consumers don't know about expandability, and graphics cards, and the like. They just buy one, and when it doesn't work well enough anymore, they buy a new one. Planned obsolescence has worked fine for most users, from what I have seen. Many do not really care about upgrading.

[iMacmatician]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10228435-1.htmlAlso, do you think these will replace standalone desktops for Standard Consumers (not Macrumors members)?[/quote]Probably, at least things are moving in that direction. Pretty much makes sense to me too.

"The OS is going to be a surprise," Cho said. While he would not confirm or deny that the OS will be Android, the company will say that it will be "a merger of cell phone and PC technology."The first thing I thought when reading that was "iPhone OS 3.0 on rumored Apple mini-tablet."

[uhohzitzcooky]

Average consumers LOVE the idea of an AIO. They're just not thrilled about the maintenance of one. Webcam goes out? CD/DVD Burner? PSU? All of these come to mind. As long as they start falling in price (the Dell Studio One is a good one to start at), they'll be considered more often.

People like the idea of expandability, even if they never actually do it.

[Brien]

I'm not surprised. The general user probably doesn't even know they can upgrade towers anyway.

[k2spitfire88]

The first thing I thought when reading that was "iPhone OS 3.0 on rumored Apple mini-tablet."

Wow, didn't even think of that.

[Consultant]

Even before the iMac, Apple was pushing all in ones. Does anyone remember the classic all in ones, or perhaps the LC/Performa/PowerMac lines of all in ones?

Apple's influence spreads more than the last 12 years.

Someone told me in the old days he used to carry Mac Classic (or equivalent) to different places using the built in carrying handle.

[Demosthenes X]

Desktops AIOs will only dominate if they offer expansion slots. Only apple fans are fervent enough to put up with planned obsolescence (at a premium no less). After 4 years with a gfx card that was 3 years out of date when I got it, no fw800, gig-E, or 802.11n, I cannot wait to ditch my G5 imac for a mini with a decent display, so that I can just swap out the computer and keep the screen every time I need a new feature, without breaking the bank.

The average consumer doesn't know or care what an expansion slot it. They don't know or care what a graphics card does. For the majority of home users, a computer is used for email, the web, maybe some Office and YouTube... none of these things require expansion slots. And by the time YouTube is showing super-high-Def, those consumers will just buy a new system.

You are not a typical consumer.

[barkmonster]

The average consumer doesn't know or care what an expansion slot it. They don't know or care what a graphics card does. For the majority of home users, a computer is used for email, the web, maybe some Office and YouTube... none of these things require expansion slots. And by the time YouTube is showing super-high-Def, those consumers will just buy a new system.

You are not a typical consumer.

1) Buying a new computer with everything built-in to gain up to date features the old model didn't have?

2) Wanting to keep using a perfectly good display to save on cost?

That sounds like the EXACT needs of a typical consumer who just wants an integrated system out of the box but doesn't want to have to pay for an integrated display too when they can keep they're existing one!

[ravenvii]

For me at least, it has. I'm loving my iMac, and am glad I don't have a tower taking space on or under the desk and adding to the cable clutter.

I, of course, see the pros for having a tower, such as expandability and a separate display, but I don't need expandability (as another poster above said, computer power has long surpassed what I need or want, other than RAM and hard drive space, which, incidentally, IS upgradable on the iMac :)) For the display, it didn't bother me, since the cost of the iMac is low enough that I wouldn't mind replacing the display each time I replace the computer - I always take good care of my computers, so that it keeps as much of it's value as possible at the time I sell it and upgrade.

If it dies before my computer does? That's what AppleCare is for.

[Dmac77]

I personally hope that AIOs don't replace standard desktops. I regret my decision to get an iMac, I hate the fact that I can't upgrade anything besides the RAM without violating its warranty. My next Mac will be a MBP which will allow me to upgrade the HDD at least. I would buy a MP if they weren't so expensive and they are way to much for my needs. IMO it would be a bad thing if AIOs replaced the normal desktop.

Don

[ravenvii]

I personally hope that AIOs don't replace standard desktops. I regret my decision to get an iMac, I hate the fact that I can't upgrade anything besides the RAM without violating its warranty. My next Mac will be a MBP which will allow me to upgrade the HDD at least. I would buy a MP if they weren't so expensive and they are way to much for my needs. IMO it would be a bad thing if AIOs replaced the normal desktop.

Don

You can upgrade the HDD in an iMac without voiding the warranty. So what's the difference? You obviously don't absolutely need the portability of the MacBook, so you're sacrificing the screen size and comfort of use that's inherent with a desktop computer.

[Melrose]

I'm not surprised. The general user probably doesn't even know they can upgrade towers anyway.

I think so too. I opened my Sony and Dell desktops, and after seeing the Chinese puzzle box in the Sony (well, Japanese puzzle box) and the innards of the Dell, I just closed them back up. Later I replaced RAM and a drive, but mostly doing stuff like this is pretty foreign to folks.

And expansion slots being the harbinger of doom for All In Ones not being popular? Sorry, but I've never - not once in all my time with a computer - ever used an expansion slot. I know what they are but never had the need.

All In Ones: Apple has been pushing that for ages, and only with the success of the iMac and the not-scathing reviews of that Dell One (or whatever it was) did they really get into mainstream. I really think that's the way it's moving for most computer users (the charge being led by Apple would not have been a factor) - technology is getting smaller (look at what they're putting laptops now). Granted for big honkin' users and video creatives you'll need tower power, but for the bulk of users you get an AIO and beef the RAM and you're good to go.

[trip1ex]

You upgrade your iMac by selling it and buying a new one.

Pretty much a no-brainer that AIOs will dominate. That's what laptops are and the industry now sells more laptops than desktops.

[equalsabracket]

Maybe they will, but i don't think it's solely or mainly encouraged by the imac. Apple have been selling computers like this for years and years and it hasn't caught on through those, so when it does catch on it can't suddenly be claimed that the imac inspired it.

[Melrose]

Maybe they will, but i don't think it's solely or mainly encouraged by the imac. Apple have been selling computers like this for years and years and it hasn't caught on through those, so when it does catch on it can't suddenly be claimed that the imac inspired it.

It could be argued, however, that Apple was ahead of the curve and jump started the trend.

[jaw04005]

What CNET is saying is nothing new, and it never materializes. Probably because the average cost of an all-in-one is higher than a complete desktop even with a monitor.

Personally, I think the idea of the home desktop computer is on its away out. Everyone wants a notebook, and with 15" PC notebooks starting at $399 they're buying them despite the inferior hardware.

Someone like my mother just wants to surf the Internet, type the occasionally Word document and look at (and maybe fix) her photos from her digital camera. That's it.

[dontwalkhand]

My iMac is great, and about the display problem that most people keep to seem spouting out.

When you put the computer in another room, and you make room for your new one, at least that computer in your other room will already have a working display now., no need to buy another one, when, for example, giving your old computer to your kids, etc.

[djellison]

pretty interesting article.

And wrong. The figures show quite clearly, that desktops are being replaced - by laptops.

[liptonlover]

Apple definitely pushed the industry in that direction, by doing it first and doing it successfully.

About upgrading you computer...
I'm technical minded when it comes to computers, and I've always used desktop macs. Now I'm a decent gamer, which is the most common reason for requiring constantly up-to-date hardware, but even then I don't mind using macs that are older without upgrades. I've upgraded the RAM to 4gb and I plan on upgrading the hard drive, but neither were/are pressing problems. Most users don't mind using 10 year old machines. And the reason for that is that Apple has a very efficient OS that runs on older machines almost as well as current ones, and most users don't require a lot of power to get their jobs done.

[sushi]

Apple has definitely affected the industry. The improvements in technology as well.

And iMac, or similar PC, has enough power for most folks. Face it, the computer is becoming a commodity home electronic device.

Sure there are exceptions, but the average user's needs such as e-mail, web browsing, simple text and spreadsheet type documents, listening to music, etc., are easily handled by an all in one design.

These days it's almost cheaper to purchase a new iMac every year and sell the old one than to purchase a top end system that you hope lasts for 5 or more years. Plus the new computers will come with updated technology where the top end system becomes outdated over time.

Right now laptops, including netbooks, seem to be the hottest selling models. Most consumers don't need top end systems to do what they want/need to do.

[diemos]

sounds about right.

[steve2112]

1) Buying a new computer with everything built-in to gain up to date features the old model didn't have?

2) Wanting to keep using a perfectly good display to save on cost?

That sounds like the EXACT needs of a typical consumer who just wants an integrated system out of the box but doesn't want to have to pay for an integrated display too when they can keep they're existing one!

This is my problem with the AIO setups. I like my monitor, it fits my desk really well. In my case, (for iMacs, anyway) the 20" display is a bit too small, and a 24" is too big for my desk, so I have a nice 22" display. Plus, my monitor is better quality than the displays in the iMacs. I'd like to keep it when I get a new machine. I also prefer my mouse and keyboard, and don't really want the ones included with a machine cluttering up things.

I can see how they are becoming more popular. Most consumers like the idea of only having one box to deal with, and having fewer cables to deal with. I think Apple may have played a small role in popularizing AIO systems, but I think the real factors were when the likes of HP, Dell, and Sony starting making them, and made them look attractive. The HP models look good, and the Sony models look a lot like an iMac. Seeing these models on display at the local store probably helped quite a bit. Also, the prices finally falling on them made them more attractive.

[sushi]

Most consumers like the idea of only having one box to deal with, and having fewer cables to deal with.
I think that this is a key factor.

I remember the early days of high end stereo equipment where you had all kinds of wires connecting your components such as your receiver, tuner, amp, tape deck, phonograph, etc. Now most use some sort of simple desktop AIO radio/stereo player.

Computers are going the same route it seems.

[neiltc13]

Whoa, so much iMac chatter - does this mean you all missed last week's news (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/05/04/macbooks_sweep_latest_consumer_reports_scores.html)?

The survey showed that people who buy Dell's XPS One 24 are more satisfied than 20-inch iMac buyers and even more satisfied than 24-inch iMac buyers.

I think this proves without any doubt that there really is a second manufacturer going for it (and doing a better job than Apple). Their AIO product line is much more diverse than Apple's.

[netdog]

Even before the iMac, Apple was pushing all in ones. Does anyone remember the classic all in ones, or perhaps the LC/Performa/PowerMac lines of all in ones?

Apple's influence spreads more than the last 12 years.

Or perhaps the original Mac in 1984 and the Lisa before it?

Don't forget the old Compaq computers too, and the Radio Shack TRS-80.

The idea that this started with the iMac is just plain wrong.

[sushi]

The idea that this started with the iMac is just plain wrong.
Agree.

While the iMac took it to a new level, the original Mac and others were AIO designs long before the iMac.

[Pika]

As a power user, i still need towers for render and do heavy stuffs.

[steve2112]

As a power user, i still need towers for render and do heavy stuffs.

I'm not even a power user, and I need a tower. Ok, maybe not need, but I want one. I like my monitor much better than the displays on the iMacs.