Tablet Market Projected to Surpass Notebooks in 2013, Total PC Market in 2015

[gotluck]

PC gaming isn't what it used to be. Costs have just gotten so high that for the Developers it is usually more economical to just port the console version. Most have even gotten rid of the stuff that made PC gaming truely superior, like mod support, level editors, and dedicated servers.

People have been saying pc gaming is dying for years, when is it going to actually happen?

And your comments regarding mod support, level editors, and dedicated servers are only true for the poor developers. EA..Activision..

 

[APlotdevice]

People have been saying pc gaming is dying for years, when is it going to actually happen?

As long as there is still a considerable PC market, there will be games made for it. However if this trend of the media consuming masses shunning traditional computers continues, then publishers will respond by paying less and less attention to them. This would be a gradual decline, rather than something which happens overnight. Much like what has happened to arcades.

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Anyone who thinks an iPad type device will ever be anything more than it is right now is kidding themselves. It's a novelty and purely a consumptive device. Sure, there's fringe use for actual productivity, but it will never replace a true laptop, let along desktop. Any desktop sales lost are from people who didn't need one in the first place and browsing the web and playing Angry Birds is all they were after.

You have just defined the overwhelming majority of consumers. They own computers because, prior to the introduction of the iPad, it was the only thing that could do what they wanted.

Saying that the devices like the iPad won't evolve into something more capable is silly though. Just look at smartphones from ten years ago. Back then they could barely even handle the Internet.

 

[Renzatic]

People have been saying pc gaming is dying for years, when is it going to actually happen?

You're about to see another resurge of the death of PC gaming arguments now that a new generation of consoles is about to come out.

And just like last time with the PS3/360, the time before that with the PS2/Gamecube, and even the time before that with the PS1/N64, after they've been out for a couple of years, PC gaming will start climbing back up to normal. It always sees a huge hit with each new console generation, and always ends up being at its most popular shortly before another cycle begins.

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As long as there is still a considerable PC market, there will be games made for it. However if this trend of the media consuming masses shunning traditional computers continues, then publishers will respond by paying less and less attention to them. This would be a gradual decline, rather than something which happens overnight. Much like what has happened to arcades.

It won't be anything like the arcades. The consumer PC market, which is what's most at danger from the tablets, has never been a part of the PC gamer market. Even when they fall by the wayside, the PC gamer niche will likely still be buying towers and powerful AIOs like they always have.

The PC in general isn't going to die. It's going to become much like it was in the mid-late 90's. A market for professionals and enthusiasts.

 

[Xiroteus]

Not surprised as there are quite a number of people that really do not have much to do with their systems, I know someone that has just about nothing saved on their computer. They have favorites and some photographs at best so if they can type and get online they have what they need.

I work a lot with my files and need a lot of control over that so when I think tablet I go to the Surface Pro or the like. Of course a powerful laptop along with an iPad would work just fine. (I still what the wacom from the surface though)

 

[APlotdevice]

It won't be anything like the arcades. The consumer PC market, which is what's most at danger from the tablets, has never been a part of the PC gamer market. Even when they fall by the wayside, the PC gamer niche will likely still be buying towers and powerful AIOs like they always have.

The PC in general isn't going to die. It's going to become much like it was in the mid-late 90's. A market for professionals and enthusiasts.

I do not believe it is possible for us to return to the PC gaming market of the late nineties. The reason being that the cost of game development has skyrocketed since then. Companies can no longer afford to release high end games solely for the "hardcore" niche.

 

[Renzatic]

I do not believe it is possible for us to return to the PC gaming market of the late nineties. The reason being that the cost of game development has skyrocketed since then. Companies can no longer afford to release high end games solely for the "hardcore" niche.

No, it'll never be as strong as it was back during the Unreal Tournament/Quake 3 heyday. That's an era that's tragically come and gone. These days, I'd say the PC market is more an extension of the console market, but with a few nice perks due to the overall flexibility of PCs and extra oomph the hardware provides.

Though there are a few out there who still target the hardcore PC audience. Crytek is one developer who immediately comes to mind, even though they've branched out to the consoles to help offset their costs.

 

[Lancer]

Tablets are the future, for most users they won't need or want a traditional PC or Mac just like many don't need a desktop anymore.

 

[AppleMark]

I think you are purposely setting the bar too high here. An iPad isn't meant to replace everything a PC can do. It's success is based on the fact that a PC is overkill for many use cases.

Most people still need a PC. Obviously, computer science would still be taught on a PC for the most part. I'd bet most iPad sales are replacing a second or third PC, though I do know a couple people who only use an iPad.

The article suggests a move away from computers to iPads in relation to schools, so no I do not think I am purposely setting the bar too high. I have seen this already in a school in my area, where they have re-developed the IT room removing the number of PC's and replacing them with iPads. Also there is the real issue of being able to use computers at an early age in a computer age. That includes having knowledge beyond downloading an App and pinch and swipe, which is important.

The PC (pre-iPad) was and is still considered a learning companion, however the article states "These devices are learning companions, and as tablet prices continue to drop, the dream of having a PC for every child gets replaced with the reality that we can actually provide a tablet for every child."

On the face of it, this suggest to me a financial advantage to iPads / Tablets, rather than an overall educational advantage.

That assumes computer literacy is a goal, rather than just the knowledge needed to use a tool.

Tell that to the Chinese and South Koreans..., they did not get the memo.

 

[Kattym]

Tablets are the future, for most users they won't need or want a traditional PC or Mac just like many don't need a desktop anymore.

It may happen only if people use their pcs for Internet serfing or book reading.
I doubt that people who work on desktop pcs all day long will agree to switch to a tablet.
Tablet are great as portable devices, and yes, they will replace netbooks for sure, but laptops and pcs will survive just 'cause it is more convenient to work on them.
Tablets are in trend now, just like small cell phones used to be several years ago (now the screen size is growing).

 

[APlotdevice]

The article suggests a move away from computers to iPads in relation to schools, so no I do not think I am purposely setting the bar too high. I have seen this already in a school in my area, where they have re-developed the IT room removing the number of PC's and replacing them with iPads. Also there is the real issue of being able to use computers at an early age in a computer age. That includes having knowledge beyond downloading an App and pinch and swipe, which is important.

The PC (pre-iPad) was and is still considered a learning companion, however the article states "These devices are learning companions, and as tablet prices continue to drop, the dream of having a PC for every child gets replaced with the reality that we can actually provide a tablet for every child."

On the face of it, this suggest to me a financial advantage to iPads / Tablets, rather than an overall educational advantage.

You know the same argument could be applied to the mainframes than many schools had a few decades ago. The rise of the personal computer drove these into niche markets, just as the tablet could now do the same to it.

 

[AppleMark]

You know the same argument could be applied to the mainframes than many schools had a few decades ago. The rise of the personal computer drove these into niche markets, just as the tablet could now do the same to it.

Mainframe v PC were primarily differences of accessing / processing information. My argument with tablets is the comparable usefulness as a resource compared to both of the latter, so I do not consider it a comparable example.

 

[APlotdevice]

Mainframe v PC were primarily differences of accessing / processing information. My argument with tablets is the comparable usefulness as a resource compared to both of the latter, so I do not consider it a comparable example.

Well then how about the fact that those who grew up in the last two decades generally have no idea how to use a command prompt? It's not like the command prompt is completely obsolete. It's still a powerful tool in some niches.

That is the key word here: niche. If that is where the PC is truely headed, then invariably future generations will be less knowledgable on their usage. Though at the same time they will generally be more knowledgable towards the technology they do use. And if they are anything like those of us who grew up on early home computers, they will learn to work around the limitations.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I said "computer hardware", as in the chips inside these machines.

Right, and I said the the components in basic consumer desktop is based off of designs made for high end & older models. Do you really believe Intel spends big r&d bucks on the i3? No, of course not. It scales down a higher end chip for which the R&D has already been spent. It's why an i7 can cost $300 & an i3 just $150.

 

[Lancer]

It may happen only if people use their pcs for Internet serfing or book reading.
I doubt that people who work on desktop pcs all day long will agree to switch to a tablet.
Tablet are great as portable devices, and yes, they will replace netbooks for sure, but laptops and pcs will survive just 'cause it is more convenient to work on them.
Tablets are in trend now, just like small cell phones used to be several years ago (now the screen size is growing).

Yes I agree and that's why I said a most users in the future... tablets will do more as they get better, most people just want a computer to check email, surf the net and do their banking. New apps allow some creativity in office type apps and drawing, so yes most users won't need even a laptop in the near future.

Also they will be linked more so with your smart TV so you can have a big screen if needed, link that with a proper keyboard and yes most users won't need a traditional computer in coming years.

 

[macmancape]

Will PCs go the way of Stereos?

Does anyone you know own a component stereo system anymore? They were all the rage in the 60s onward for college students and audiophiles. I wonder if the move to mobile computing and its effect on desktop PCs is similar to the demise of the stereo system? Technology marches on....