Flight of the Desktops

theodp writes "Slate's Farhad Manjoo has seen the future of computing, and it's looking mighty bleak for desktop computers. In the last decade, portable computers have erased many of the advantages that desktops once claimed while desktops have been unable to shake their one glaring deficiency — they're chained to your desk. Last year, sales of laptops eclipsed sales of desktops for the first time, and it's been projected that by 2015 desktops will constitute just 18% of the consumer PC market."

Comments

Prophets everywhere....

[dragisha]

I just worship those people who make years and decades of conclusions based on hype factor of gadget X.

On the second look, I am 21.321% sure that, by 2015, traditional newspapers will suscessfully move to *Pad computing devices and to A4 sized mobile phones so we'll at least free ourselves from those quasi-journalistic outlets from Internet's Stone Age, when it was still tied to desktops. You know, Slate and likes. :D

In other news

[martin-boundary]

It's looking mighty bleak for cubicles too. Unlike mobile pieces of paper which can be written on pressed against the wall while standing in the hallway, a cubicle just takes up room and chains people to one place where their managers can easily sneak up on them.

Projections indicate that by 2015, just 18% of white collar workers will have cubicles while the others will lurch aimlessly about the building, filling TPS forms while sitting on the floor of the lobby using each others' backs for support.

Re:bleak?

[Anonymous Coward]

You just wanted to post this so you could mention "...an ancient PC sat inside an arcade machine to act as a MAME box...".

I don't blame you, me want. =]

Re:Does it have a monitor and full-size keyboard?

[emj]

Most desktop replacements got a full size keyboard, everything over 1.3KG or 13" is us too cumbersome for. But since people want to replace desktops they need those 17" with numpad,

I wish there were someway I could bring more power if I need to. I can settle for a sub 13" screen at 1920x1200, and moderate performance, but a small server farm in the backpack would be interesting.

Stupid Sentence

[Zeussy]

In the last decade, portable computers have erased many of the advantages that desktops once claimed while desktops have been unable to shake their one glaring deficiency -- they're chained to your desk.

Reading that, made me stupider.

Re:Uh huh.

[Ginger Unicorn]

The desktop will die one year before the year of linux on the desktop.

Re:Does it have a monitor and full-size keyboard?

[TheLink]

But those sort of laptops tend to lighten wallets significantly, so it somewhat balances out.

Apps that aren't compatible with DPI scaling

[tepples]

Yo grandma, 2002 called and wanted to let you know you can do this sweet thing called "DPI scaling"

2002 also had something else to say: A lot of applications never got tested by their developers under DPI scaling, so they break in interesting ways.

Re:News at 11

[Anonymous Coward]

laptop -> iPad -> abacus -> pebbles.
This better describes the trend.

Re:No notebook in my near future.

[TheKidWho]

Wrong. 2012 is the end of the Human Era according to the Mayans. The Machine Era will follow.

Re:Uh huh.

[eugene ts wong]

Actually, I think that it will die a year after. We'll get our hopes up, because we'll finally have the year of Linux on the desktop, and then the rug of reality will be pulled out from us.

Re:I still prefer desktops.

[Mikkeles]

That's some commute! Do you use the chunnel or do you fly?

Re:Does it have a monitor and full-size keyboard?

[bazorg]

My laptop is 7.5 pounds and it's got a 17" widescreen and a full keyboard + number pad. I've brought it to work with me most every day for the past 3 years and have never suffered a hernia or exhaustion or even noticed it.

Shaquille O'Neal and 4 others like this.

Re:I still prefer desktops.

[Larryish]

You should get this power setup for your desktop:

http://www.mopo.ca/uploaded_images/Indian_Tech_Support-740333.jpg

Renewable energy sources FTW!