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Do You Agree? (That The PC Is Becoming Obsolete?)
- Thread starter Squilly
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Perhaps the OP could change the thread title to something a little more precise, such as 'Do You Agree That The PC Is Becoming Obsolete?' or something similar; perhaps the thread title is designed to tease and tantalise - who can resist such an open-ended question?
Anyway, no, I don't agree with the premise in the article. Indeed, two things occur to me when a topic such as this is posted, and phrased in such a way.
Obviously, the first is the - my - response to the question asked: No, PCs are not dead and have not exhausted their uses. Not everyone is cutting edge, and most offices and companies will be using this technology for some time, irrespective of what is happening in the private sphere.
The second observation I wish to make arises out of the zero sum attitude I see sometimes on this forum when such matters are raised.
Seriously, just because something marvellous, new, cutting-edge, socially revolutionary, technologically transformative is created, or developed, or invented, does not mean that the older forms are automatically obsolete and irrelevant.
One form of communication and technological change does not always invalidate what already exists. Sometimes, they continue to co-exist side by side. For example, radio has carved out new niches for itself at local levels, and continues to thrive alongside TV, and cloud computing.
Books and Kindles will continue to co-exist. The older technologies may face challenges (and may well have to adapt to changing circumstances), but many of them will continue to co-exist. And new technologies will not supplant them until they have proven that they are easier to use, and generally somewhat better than that which they seek to replace.
Anyway, no, I don't agree with the premise in the article. Indeed, two things occur to me when a topic such as this is posted, and phrased in such a way.
Obviously, the first is the - my - response to the question asked: No, PCs are not dead and have not exhausted their uses. Not everyone is cutting edge, and most offices and companies will be using this technology for some time, irrespective of what is happening in the private sphere.
The second observation I wish to make arises out of the zero sum attitude I see sometimes on this forum when such matters are raised.
Seriously, just because something marvellous, new, cutting-edge, socially revolutionary, technologically transformative is created, or developed, or invented, does not mean that the older forms are automatically obsolete and irrelevant.
One form of communication and technological change does not always invalidate what already exists. Sometimes, they continue to co-exist side by side. For example, radio has carved out new niches for itself at local levels, and continues to thrive alongside TV, and cloud computing.
Books and Kindles will continue to co-exist. The older technologies may face challenges (and may well have to adapt to changing circumstances), but many of them will continue to co-exist. And new technologies will not supplant them until they have proven that they are easier to use, and generally somewhat better than that which they seek to replace.
Zzz. I found an article in a 1997 computer magazine claiming PC gaming will die (UK mag, should probably upload it it's the kind of thing social media folk like).
If PC gaming is dying why does Steam get more and more sales year on year, more users online at any one time. PC gaming is growing and expanding into new territories.
At this point (a glorious future where all gaming markets are seeing increasing sales), it's super easy to pull in a rabble, get a few more visitors by making up something inflammatory.
Other bullpoo topics include;
Will Nintendo stop making hardware?
Is Apple losing the mobile market?
Is console gaming dying/is mobile gaming dying/is Facebook/browser gaming dying?
If PC gaming is dying why does Steam get more and more sales year on year, more users online at any one time. PC gaming is growing and expanding into new territories.
At this point (a glorious future where all gaming markets are seeing increasing sales), it's super easy to pull in a rabble, get a few more visitors by making up something inflammatory.
Other bullpoo topics include;
Will Nintendo stop making hardware?
Is Apple losing the mobile market?
Is console gaming dying/is mobile gaming dying/is Facebook/browser gaming dying?
Although, the computer gaming population is definitely getting smaller, I disagree. As long as computer games are being made, there are going to be people playing them.
PCs will more than likely be used a hell of a lot less, but there are still a lot of people who need something more powerful and customisable than a tablet. No doubt tablets will outnumber PCs in the future, but the PC as we know it today isn't going anywhere. Just for a lot of people, a full PC isn't really needed.
If ever you want a reminder of how the PC market isn't shrinking, every year (mark it off on your calendar, set a reminder perhaps!) screenshot this page.
http://store.steampowered.com/stats/
...and as Steam are one of the biggest, other sites have more games, and other big rivals pop up from time to time; Origin, Windows marketplace, etc.
But just to continue the point about "PC dying". The big money was in console development years ago, they wanted PC dead and it was easy to write up "it's dying!" articles. Since casual gaming saw a resurgence with the DS the same claims have started to appear again.
http://store.steampowered.com/stats/
...and as Steam are one of the biggest, other sites have more games, and other big rivals pop up from time to time; Origin, Windows marketplace, etc.
But just to continue the point about "PC dying". The big money was in console development years ago, they wanted PC dead and it was easy to write up "it's dying!" articles. Since casual gaming saw a resurgence with the DS the same claims have started to appear again.
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That could just be a weak economy issue. The first thing people cut back on are things like this.
Yes, I believe it is becoming obsolete. They will probably always be around for businesses and media content creation, however I think the days of desktops and laptops in the average home is coming to an end. At the very least, you're going to stop seeing multiple computers in the same household.
Not a chance. If anything they're more important than ever, with all the 4k content coming in the next few years. Also gaming is a huge market which doesn't seem to be going anywhere. It also depends on what you class as a PC. Windows 8 transformer-style tablets and the surface pro are doing a pretty good job of blurring that line.