Discussion on:

How to prepare for the end of the PC era

Think about what this topic is asking when it says "prepare" for the end of the pc era. I believe it is coming. I am an IT professional. I am a gamer(console and pc). I build my own systems and I service computers, networks, IP phones, servers and applications DAILY. The end of the PC era is not here but it is on the horizon. Everyone here saying the end is not coming are reinforcing their belief based on screen size, and ease of performing tasks - more specifically things such as keyboards, mice, etc. These devices are not systems but peripherals. What the hell are you thinking? Docks exists right now for things such as Ipads, that allow use of keyboard and mice. Mobile devices are both peripherals AND systems. I can change the channels on my tv with an android phone, remote control my pc at work, and do many many tasks.

I agree it is not the end of the PC era, but I do believe this is a valid thing to consider. Sure a 10 inch device is not suited for spreadsheets, AutoCad, or gaming for that matter. But if....no, WHEN these mobile devices contain the same power, then its over. What the hell is the difference between a tablet plugged into a keyboard dock with video output into a 27 inch monitor and someone who brings a laptop to work everyday sticks it into one of those docks and basically uses it as a desktop then when the day is over just rips it out shoves it in their bag and off they go.

The bottom line is this is coming into the picture because we can visibly see the transition happening. Laptops -> Netbooks -> Tablets. Look at anything and you can see this kind of transition. You think it went from vhs to dvd...nope. There is a transition that can easily identify a forward momentum or evolutionary change within any industry especially technology. It is always becoming smaller and faster. In a sense it is and isnt the end of the PC era. Sure Pc's will die, but in reality all that will happen is tablets will be the new PC. Again if I can hold in my hand a 10 inch device that can easily perform the task of a PC and screw around with it while at home, then walk into work plop it into a physical keyboard dock and click on things with my finger, while typing on a physical keyboard, and doing this on a 27" inch monitor, then Ill take it. I mean in that regard the tablet is a second screen, the system itself and a mouse all in one. In the dock and BAM dual monitors and physical keyboard. IT will exist, it is just going to be supporting mobile devices - security will change, devices will change but we will always be running around with some kind of "personal computing" device

In short, the PC isn't going away, but the form factor is changing.

If we can get a mobile with the power of a current top line PC, that same technology can and will be applied to the PC.
If that happens, the software boys wil then make use of those added resources for more gee-whizzery at least.

So you are operating of the fatally flawed perception that PC manufacturers are going to contribute to their own demise, and cease improving their kit to at least maintain their income stream.

Naive at best, don't you think?

You are talking about PC manufactures, which are in the industry as a business for money. If the PC simply evolves, then Intel will be making small processors for small devices, and the next generation of HP devices will be tablets. They already make slates, dell makes tablets, everyone has a hand in smaller and larger markets, it just so happens that after analyzing profits they will drop markets that fail to generate the income of others. Google stopped supporting office 2003 formats, even though millions still use them, potentially losing out on many many future customers that were considering moving to their platform. Most likely they do not want to pay developers and employees to work on and support outdated technology - not because there is no market, but because it is not the biggest market. I spoke with a MS representative about our accounting software GP2010. They explained how in the years coming they will be slowly moving support away from midmarket and small business into larger enterprises so they can evolve their product (and their price) to compete with SAP. It will always work this way its about money...period.

Sure we could be at a stand still with PC sales, but any money hungry capitalistic greedy PC manufacture WILL start jumping on the bandwagon, especially the fastest moving one. They will slowly reduce their market focus from PC to tablet, and slowly but surely PCs will not exist. I mean it has to happen eventually. If they are paying out for factories, labor, shipping etc on devices that are at a market standstill....they will not do it forever. I am sorry, I do not want the PC to die, but anyone trying to keep a dying industry afloat while losing money hand over fist doing it will have to stop. It is not about support of users, it is about survival.They would be borderline insane not to. Everyone keeps saying it is a "fad," or a "trend." Fads and trends are what shapes our culture and evolves it. From trends and fads, come the ideas and products. And these fads and trends are what move us to the future. The PC itself had to start somewhere.

You're overlooking the inherent problems in portable devices. It takes more effort, more advanced technology and more time to produce smaller/lighter devices that consume less power and produces less heat.

That's why PCs have been and will continue to be more powerful for less money. And when I need a PC that I don't intend to carry around with me, I'm going to take the larger, faster, and cheaper one. A docked tablet is just an expensive, underpowered PC.
I also expect all the businesses to buy the cheaper ones for their employees that work at a desk and have no need to carry their work and confidential information around with them.

they'll make their employees leave them at work anyway. Which makes the position even more nonsensical.