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?"

Comments

I Can See It

[MBCook]

So everyone will know, I'm 21 years old an I currently attend college in the US. I live in a house, so space isn't a problem; and I've always LOVED computers.

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)?