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The iPad May Kill Laptops and Save the Desktop
- Thread starter not1lost
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I use a transformer prime, its definitely a casual laptop replacement, especially with the detachable dock/keyboard. Hell I can even program android apps on my tablet.
As for desktops getting new life, i doubt it. I just ordered a 14" laptop that would smoke my quad core desktop. Why would i want a clunky desktop when I can have a portable?
As for desktops getting new life, i doubt it. I just ordered a 14" laptop that would smoke my quad core desktop. Why would i want a clunky desktop when I can have a portable?
I'm pretty sure for the same price you could get a desktop that will smoke your laptop. It's all about what people want. Different stoke for different folks etc.
iPad may kill the laptop? No flippin way!
Not even close, not now, not tomorrow, not next month or next year.
It's someone's imagination gone awry...
Not even close, not now, not tomorrow, not next month or next year.
It's someone's imagination gone awry...
I agree. The iPad is a useful device but I can't see it replacing my 15" MBP anytime soon.
I have to ask what app are you using to program with. I have seen a few but I really have more used those to only look at my code not so much edit. I been looking for something that could be a good IDE.
Tablets replacing Laptops? Not gonna happen.
Desktops being replaced for anything serious? Never.
Desktops being replaced for anything serious? Never.
Soooo.... tablets may replace laptops for people that don't really need a laptop because everything they need to do can be done on a tablet? Is this really a revaluation?
Why does X have to kill Y? There are dozens of types of hammers, shoes, cars, bicycles, etc., because not everyone needs the same thing. I don't see computing being any different. The one-size-fits-all approach (need portability, get a laptop) is fading as the computing environment is becoming more diverse and people can pick devices that are a better fit for their needs. People who need laptops will still buy laptops and people that need portability, but not necessarily a laptop, finally have other viable alternatives.
Lethal
Why does X have to kill Y? There are dozens of types of hammers, shoes, cars, bicycles, etc., because not everyone needs the same thing. I don't see computing being any different. The one-size-fits-all approach (need portability, get a laptop) is fading as the computing environment is becoming more diverse and people can pick devices that are a better fit for their needs. People who need laptops will still buy laptops and people that need portability, but not necessarily a laptop, finally have other viable alternatives.
Lethal
the iPad is the Swiss army knife of computing. It does a lot of things okay however it'll never be "better" than a laptop or desktop for certain tasks. For the most basic, casual user, i.e. surfing, email, photos, maybe the iPad can be the one tool for them. For lots of other people, the iPad is just another tool at their disposal.
IMO the biggest weakness of the tablet isn't storage. It's the fact the only software you can put on it is budget software. Because of this, it ends up being mostly a media consumption device.
It's basically the Netbook 2.0, AKA device of choice for people who only use computers for the most basic essential tasks.
It's basically the Netbook 2.0, AKA device of choice for people who only use computers for the most basic essential tasks.
Laptops aren't going away. They may see some reduced sales and what have you, but not everyone wants a tablet, myself included. Although, I do agree with the point about the desktops. People who do want tablets are probably going to end up doing the math at one point, figuring that their tablet covers all of their mobile computing needs, so why not save some money on their main computer, and forgo a laptop for a desktop?
Personally, I'll never be without a desktop. Laptops (and tablets I suppose) are all well and good, having that mobile ability is certainly nice, but for some reason I've never felt quite right using a laptop on a desk, hooked up to a monitor and mouse. I always felt, "Why do I have a laptop when I need a computer at my desk? This isn't what I bought it for." Desktops are dirt cheap if you're willing to get a model from a few years back, why not save the laptop for when you actually need it?
Personally, I'll never be without a desktop. Laptops (and tablets I suppose) are all well and good, having that mobile ability is certainly nice, but for some reason I've never felt quite right using a laptop on a desk, hooked up to a monitor and mouse. I always felt, "Why do I have a laptop when I need a computer at my desk? This isn't what I bought it for." Desktops are dirt cheap if you're willing to get a model from a few years back, why not save the laptop for when you actually need it?
Thanks I will really need to check that out.
As for original article yeah I do not see the tablets killing laptops and saving desktops.
At most tablets might kill off a good chunk of the netbook market but laptops are another beast. People might tend to go for heavier laptops and larger laptops as they will not need to be transported as often but still being able to easily move location to work elsewhere is a huge plus to laptops.
My only bone to pick with this article is the statement that it may "Kill" laptops.
It mars what is a spot on article about the effects of Tablets on other computer purchases. No the laptop is not going to be killed but it will share with tablets.
The iPad, in many ways, is rejuvenating iMac sales. This makes sense because when mobile some people only really need to keep up with communication (email, messaging, calendar etc) and the iPad does this very well.
So for comparison :
They could buy a 15" MBP for $1799 or
21.5 iMac which has the same quad core configuration for $1199
and then add on a iPad 2 or New iPad at $399/$499 and save at least $100
I know what I'd choose.
It mars what is a spot on article about the effects of Tablets on other computer purchases. No the laptop is not going to be killed but it will share with tablets.
The iPad, in many ways, is rejuvenating iMac sales. This makes sense because when mobile some people only really need to keep up with communication (email, messaging, calendar etc) and the iPad does this very well.
So for comparison :
They could buy a 15" MBP for $1799 or
21.5 iMac which has the same quad core configuration for $1199
and then add on a iPad 2 or New iPad at $399/$499 and save at least $100
I know what I'd choose.
I don't know about the article, but that's basically what I'm doing. I have an 2008 iMac that's working great, and when I'm away from the desk, I have the iPad.
Works great for me.
Works great for me.
I think tablets could very well replace personal laptops, in the sense that, instead of a kid getting a really expensive laptop, in which all they'll do is use the web, check facebook and twitter, listen to music and watch films/shows, they'll be given a tablet.
For all of us that have grown up using laptops for this stuff, it's hard to imagine. But kids are growing up with tablets now, they'll find it normal. It will satisfy the basic needs of common consumers. I think tablets could very well replace laptops for the "average" consumer in that sense.
I think the desktop will die off. Laptops can easily replace them, and are much more convenient. Laptops will be the workspace computer.
I'm not saying one will completely kill off the other, but I think the "trend" will follow that path, and that's what will become "normal" in the future.
For all of us that have grown up using laptops for this stuff, it's hard to imagine. But kids are growing up with tablets now, they'll find it normal. It will satisfy the basic needs of common consumers. I think tablets could very well replace laptops for the "average" consumer in that sense.
I think the desktop will die off. Laptops can easily replace them, and are much more convenient. Laptops will be the workspace computer.
I'm not saying one will completely kill off the other, but I think the "trend" will follow that path, and that's what will become "normal" in the future.
For user's who don't game, or do any type of serious work, yes. Tablets will become more popular. So yeah alot of people will buy them.
A tablet will NEVER replace Laptops in the Business/Editing/Professional world. Ever. Tablets are to slow, with not enough features.
Desktops will never die, to many people need serious computing power, in the home and business world. Tablets have terrible performance, so do laptops compared to Desktops.
I agree that the title is unfortunate. An iMac & iPad is a pretty potent combination, it was the combo that I choose instead of a single 15" MBP. That said, that combination does not work for everyone.
Die off across all markets? I doubt that 'cause for things like higher-end creative fields a laptop isn't going to have the horsepower, nor the I/O bandwidth (even w/todays ThunderBolt) to match a desktop.
Lethal
I could easily see the low end desktop market being killed off nearly completely leaving only the high end work horses.
This being MacRumors, you could get an iMac to avoid the clunkiness. A laptop is just not comparable when you work at a desk. If an iPad is enough for someone's portable needs, that makes getting an iMac for desk-based needs more attractive.
On the desk, if you just use a laptop, then either the screen or the keyboard or both are in the wrong position. Now I have no problem using a laptop, and having a huge monitor and keyboard/mouse on the desk and plugging in the laptop, but just the laptop? No.
I think it's an interesting idea although of course it might not be feasible for everyone.
Right before I bought an iPad I had a job that required me to travel a lot, and stay in hotels at least a few days every week. I always took my Macbook with me, mainly for keeping up with email, some work PDFs I needed to read, for creating some basic spreadsheets with sales reports and for entertainment in my hotel room. All of that could easily be achieved with an iPad. Everything else I could do in a desktop when at home.
With each year tablets make this possible for more people, both because of improving hardware and software.
Right before I bought an iPad I had a job that required me to travel a lot, and stay in hotels at least a few days every week. I always took my Macbook with me, mainly for keeping up with email, some work PDFs I needed to read, for creating some basic spreadsheets with sales reports and for entertainment in my hotel room. All of that could easily be achieved with an iPad. Everything else I could do in a desktop when at home.
With each year tablets make this possible for more people, both because of improving hardware and software.