8 Reasons The PC Is Not Dead
Now that phablets have essentially cannibalized the tablet market, the personal computer has a chance to make a dramatic comeback. Here's why.
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The debate about the death of the PC rages on. On one side, you have those who point to dramatic declines of PC and laptop sales over the past few years as proof that the personal computer is on its last legs. On the other side are those who happily list the reasons why PCs -- especially in the enterprise -- are far from extinct.
I happen to believe that the PC is far from dead. In fact, I suspect overall PC and laptop sales to experience a resurgence in the next few years. There are a number of reasons why the PC retains an advantage over alternative devices such as smartphones, tablets, and phablets. While some of these reasons may not be relevant in a consumer world, they are critical for users performing tasks in an enterprise.
Additionally, the personal computer's biggest threat -- the tablet -- is going through a sluggish sales period at the moment. A once-hot tablet market has cooled as users gravitate toward smartphones with large screens that serve a dual purpose. It seems that for many mobile users, a five- or six-inch smartphone screen isn't that much different from an eight- to 10-inch tablet screen when it comes to performing most mobile tasks. That is, unless you're trying to do real work. You know, the kind of work that involves writing for long periods of time or manipulating numbers in spreadsheets and databases.
A vacuum has been created in the world of enterprise productivity devices. A year or two ago, it indeed looked as if the PC would be replaced by the tablet. But now that phablets have essentially cannibalized the tablet market, the personal computer has a chance to make a dramatic comeback.
Here are eight reasons why rumors of the PC's death have been greatly exaggerated. Once you've reviewed them all, let us know what you think. Will the PC live on, or are we flat-out wrong in our predictions? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.
When it comes to pure processing power, RAM, and graphics capability, the PC has all mobile devices beat. And it's not just engineers or graphic designers who need a device with performance prowess. All employees these days must be masters of multitasking. This requires quick access to a multitude of applications, from spreadsheets to databases to videoconferencing. With a powerful PC, every application can run in real time with just a click of a mouse.
While more and more enterprise applications are beginning to offer mobile versions that run on smartphone or tablet operating systems, there are still plenty of legacy applications in use that only run on PCs. And if the application does happen to offer a mobile app, more often than not the mobile version does not include all the capabilities of the full-blown PC app. So, while your tablet might be able to handle some tasks through the mobile app version, you'll find yourself tethered to your PC when trying to do advanced tasks.
Since employee duties vary greatly within most enterprises, having the flexibility to choose the operating system that best meets an employee's needs is very important. There are legitimate reasons why a user might require a Mac OS over Windows, or need one of the various flavors of Linux. And with the PC platform, you have plenty of options available.
Adding to the OS option flexibility is the ability for the PC platform to be used to virtualize other systems, and even entire networks, on a single machine. This capability comes in handy for software/infrastructure employees, and it is also useful for users who require access to applications that run only on specific operating systems.
While a high-end PC can still easily cost $3,000 to $4,000, the overall value of a PC compared to a tablet or smartphone must be considered. A PC that is properly spec'd out for an employee can easily last three years or more. Compare that to mobile devices, which commonly become obsolete within two years. And if you look at the components of a PC vs. a mobile device, you simply get more bang for your buck.
One huge factor that many users don't consider until it's too late is the ability to work when not connected to the Internet. Since mobile devices are slim on processing power and local storage, most applications rely on SaaS and cloud storage to bridge the gap. While this is a fine model when Internet access is plentiful, it becomes a nightmare when you have no Internet access and a deadline looms.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the PC compared to the tablet is the ability to customize and upgrade it when needed. Mobile hardware is considered to be largely "throwaway" once it reaches a certain age. On the other hand, a PC can be easily and affordably upgraded to take on new tasks or to take advantage of the latest technology, without having to replace an entire system.
If any device should be on the endangered species watch list, it should be the tablet. For me, the tablet filled a role until the laptop could catch up in terms of portability and touch capability. And just as the netbook market got red-hot before it quickly faded, so too might the tablet market. Mark my words, the PC will be around for a great while longer. And with a certain new and widely acclaimed PC operating system being launched in the very near future, look for the PC to make a dramatic comeback.
If any device should be on the endangered species watch list, it should be the tablet. For me, the tablet filled a role until the laptop could catch up in terms of portability and touch capability. And just as the netbook market got red-hot before it quickly faded, so too might the tablet market. Mark my words, the PC will be around for a great while longer. And with a certain new and widely acclaimed PC operating system being launched in the very near future, look for the PC to make a dramatic comeback.
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