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Lifestyle Computers, the Next Big Thing?
Anonymous Howard asks: "Lifestyle computers, otherwise known as 'computers with everything contained in a single unit', are extremely popular in Japan, where living spaces are much smaller then in the North America. Probably the most popular that I know of that was released are the Apple iMacs. Many of the major manufactures like Sony and HP have released Lifestyle computers, like the Sony PCV-W20. What I like to see are the unique stylings from companies I've never heard of over in Japan, like the Sotec Afina AS7180AV, I think it looks somewhat like a high heel shoe from the side. How many of you would find these types of computers useful? In particular, if you are living in a space where you are not cramped for space, would you ever buy one? Are there any other interesting machines like the Sonys/Afina/new iMacs that not only have function, but act as a stylish addition to the room?"
The iMac did anything but bomb if you ask me... sure it's unpopular with the average Slashdotter but how aobut the average person?
Frankly I can see this. In the last two or three years I've taken to using my laptop for EVERYTHING and basically never touching my desktops. I'm even thinking of selling them. If I didn't need the portability of my laptop, I would almost certainly buy one of these "all in one" computers. I've really come to like the simplicity and size savings that a laptop or very small desktop provides.
I've come to realize that I don't neede all those seperate parts. I don't really play games too much, but when I do my laptop has enough power despite it's age. So a all in one desktop (which would be even more powerful) would be fine. I don't need 12 drive bays. I don't need 3 CD drives (although it can be nice ;). My laptop has everything I need, and when it doesn't (rare) I just plug it in (like a DVD burner). It's got a nice little monitor, keyboard, etc. Frankly the small space my laptop takes up compared to my desktop setup (which is large even at just a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and tower) is significant. One of the reasons for large cases in the past was expandability. You couldn't attach 5 more drives to a normal PC without putting them inside (ignore SCSI, it was never on normal people's desktops (with the exception of Macs)). If you needed a modem/soundcard/etc you had to put it in the computer (let's ignore external modems). But these days almost EVERYTHING can be had externally. Thanks to USB2 and FireWire, all the storage you'll ever need is can be external to your PC. Thanks to these things you can also attach mice, keyboards, soundcards, webcams, modems, tv-tuners, network interfaces, and more all without having to go inside a computer.
As computers are becomming more and more powerful, far past what most users need, I think users will start to realize this and go for other things like size and convience. I think this is the large reason why laptops are becomming such a large section of the computer market (the other being that they no longer cost $3k for a decent model). They now do basically everything most people need. The other big development is that LCDs are now more reasonable so it's possible to have a computer take up very little desk space (where just 5 years ago, you'd need a big 'ol monitor for a PC of any size).
I really don't need a physically big computer and nearly no one else does (ignoring business, server, etc and only talking about individuals). I have looked quite seriously at the eMac and iMac and if I knew of an similar product from a PC company that I like and trust I would seriously consider it if I were to buy a new computer (and didn't require it to be a laptop). I have seriously considered building myself a Shuttle mini PC (which I have done for some friends). Those things are about ideal as computers go for me (still upgradeable, but small).
A laptop/notebook/or small all-in-one is the future for most users, although they probably don't know it. A big computer used to be kind of impressive. Now it's a small computer that's impressive and for most people there is next to no tradeoff in choosing the smaller one.
And let's not forget the idea of the "livingroom PC" which could soon be a reality. My biggest gripe with this concept, the quality of the monitor (the TV), is address by HDTV. A nice HDTV would make a fine monitor, and since a small computer can do everything I could ever need it to these days. There are rumors that this is what MS wants to do with the X-Box2 and what Sony wants to do with the PS3 and frankly I can see it in the not so distant future.
Does anyone have a REAL reason for needing a big tower/desktop these days (again, for a personal computer. Not a business computer, not if you do rendering in your home or webserving there, just a normal computer)?
Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
I lived in Japan for 2 months over the summer, and my host sister-in-law had one of these all-in-one computers (I think it could also double as a TV). I personally wouldn't buy one, but it worked well for their purposes. They had 3 young children and just did things like email. It wasn't like they couldn't fit a desktop (though their house was really small) but Japanese people naturally tend to conserve space. My host father had a desktop and a laptop. Desktop for work stuff, laptop for checking email and so my host-mom could use it as well. So it really goes both ways. Very similar to here in the US. The enthusiast segment is strong in Japan as well. If you go to DenDen Town in Osaka or Akihabara in Tokyo, you can find high performance products from name brands for about the same price it costs us to buy off the internet.
But we already have our "lifestyle" computers in my house:
iBooks
my wife is a Realtor and when she's at home, she walks around the house with a headset phone on and her iBook goes wherever she does.
Every room she "hangs out" in has an iBook AC adapter in case she wants to plug in and of course the house has wireless internet.
Today I came home to find her in the kitchen, talking on the phone and the iBook was on the kitchen counter. Was she cooking?
Yes.
Was she using the iBook for a recipe?
No.
She was on Mapquest looking up directions for someone and explaining how to drive there while she made the pasta.
But- if I installed a computer in the kitchen would she use it?
NO.
She will also plop down in front of the TV and watch her Garden Shows with the iBook in her lap and also do Yahoo Crossword puzzles or browse the MLS listings at the same time.
She likes to move around and use: Phone, Computer, TV all at the same time and all in whatever room she wants to be in.
This is her current "lifestyle" and the tech is configured to suit it. I don't think she would go for an "all in one" device that locks her into one place.
However- if your "lifestyle" is one that involves as little moving around as possible, I can see these things being popular.
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