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US Says Internet Use Rises as More Low Income People Go Online; Tablets Surpass Desktops In Popularity (reuters.com)

Internet use by Americans increased in 2017, fueled by a rise among people with lower incomes, a government report viewed on Wednesday by Reuters found. From a report: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) also reported that for the first time tablets were more popular than desktop computers, and that more households had a mobile data plan than wired broadband service. The results were to be publicly released later on Wednesday. The survey results demonstrate the growing importance of the internet in everyday communication as the way consumers access content changes. Among Americans living in households with family incomes below $25,000 per year, the survey found internet use increased to 62 percent in 2017 from 57 percent in 2015, while households earning $100,000 or more showed no change at 86 percent. The gain of 13.5 million users was "driven by increased adoption among low-income families, seniors, African Americans, Hispanics, and other groups that have been less likely to go online," the agency said.

80 comments

  1. PC Tablets by DarkRookie · · Score: 1

    Especially if you want to get work done.
    Speed. Piece by piece hardware upgrades. Useful apps. Speed.

    --
    The millennial that doesn't like most of the stuff designed for millennials.
    1. Re: PC Tablets by nnull · · Score: 1

      I use a tablet for looking things up and replying to emails, but I really don't do any serious work on it. I also get annoyed to hell about the forced mobile view of websites on Apple devices, it completely derails me because the PC website UI is different, so I end up doing things slower.

      When I need to do serious things, my laptop is my go to device. Most tablets still can't do half the things I need that a laptop or PC can.

  2. Nothing really supprising. by jellomizer · · Score: 1

    If more people (whatever their income) goes online then internet usage will rise. No Duh.
    Tables are cheap computers, which can be given as gifts to low income people. Or purchased in installments with Cell phone plans, which may be easier for lower income people to get a hold of.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    1. Re:Nothing really supprising. by DarkRookie · · Score: 0

      Tables are cheap computers

      I will give you the cheap, but they are not computers. They are electronic consumption devices.

      --
      The millennial that doesn't like most of the stuff designed for millennials.
    2. Re:Nothing really supprising. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They're locked down blockout boxes.

    3. Re:Nothing really supprising. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They are thin clients to the corporate cloud. Definitely not general purpose computers.

    4. Re:Nothing really supprising. by geekmux · · Score: 2

      Tables are cheap computers

      I will give you the cheap, but they are not computers. They are electronic consumption devices.

      Yes, they are, and perfectly designed for the internet consumption generation.

      It's no surprise the end user experience has been reduced to a touch-screen device with a voice assistant on it; most consumers are as dumbed down as the devices they barely know how to operate.

    5. Re:Nothing really supprising. by cayenne8 · · Score: 1

      ...And as the number of internet users continues to increase...the collective IQ of the internet continues to decrease...

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    6. Re:Nothing really supprising. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      September never ends!

    7. Re:Nothing really supprising. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What's a computer?

    8. Re:Nothing really supprising. by dgatwood · · Score: 1

      ...And as the number of internet users continues to increase...the collective IQ of the internet continues to decrease...

      That's the power of groupthink. None of us is as dumb as all of us.

      --

      Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.

    9. Re:Nothing really supprising. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wake me up when it does..

    10. Re:Nothing really supprising. by desdinova+216 · · Score: 1

      it will be a Green Day when that happens

    11. Re:Nothing really supprising. by jellomizer · · Score: 1

      What is it in particular that a tablet can't do that a computer can.
      Realizing most stuff today on the PC is already cloud connected.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  3. Tablets more popular than computers? by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 0

    Tablets? What is this 2010; I thought that fad was more or less over; I don't know anyone who uses tablets besides kids. Cell phones... yes. Almost everyone I know is glued to a cell phone... but tablets seriously? This article is from 2018 not 2010 right?

    --
    "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    1. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by ArhcAngel · · Score: 1

      I suspect they include 2-in-1 devices like the Microsoft Surface Book as "tablets" Otherwise this statements makes no sense whatsoever.

      --
      "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
    2. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by Dzimas · · Score: 2

      You're in the wrong demographic. The Amazon Fire 7 is available for under $50 (as low as $29.99 last Thanksgiving) and the Fire HD 8 is discounted to $69.99 several times a year. They don't require data plans or monthly subscriptions, which makes them ideal for people on an extremely limited budget -- just head down to McDonald's or the local library for free wi-fi.

    3. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by Dzimas · · Score: 1

      Tablets are more popular than *desktops*, not notebooks.

    4. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Every person I know has a tablet, not everyone i know has a PC . Anecdotal yes but I fly a lot as well and everyone pulls out a tablet , almost no one pulls our a pc.

    5. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 0

      You're in the wrong demographic. The Amazon Fire 7 is available for under $50 (as low as $29.99 last Thanksgiving) and the Fire HD 8 is discounted to $69.99 several times a year. They don't require data plans or monthly subscriptions, which makes them ideal for people on an extremely limited budget -- just head down to McDonald's or the local library for free wi-fi.

      To be fair, I own one of those Fire tablets. And an Asus. I guess I personally own more tablets than desktops... I just never use any of them and I never see anyone else using them. I see more notebooks than tablets in public too.

      I guess the key is, everyone probably owns tablet(s) but that doesn't mean they use them.

      --
      "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    6. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      The report the article is referring to is here

      Apparently tablets are pretty popular... who knew?

    7. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by ArhcAngel · · Score: 1

      I can read. I have a 10" tablet that came with a folio keyboard and runs Windows 10. I had several Android/iOS tablets and they couldn't do what I needed. If you count Windows 2-in-1's as tablets then yes...they are more popular than desktops/laptops.

      --
      "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
    8. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or maybe they use tablets at home and don't bother carrying two devices out in public.

    9. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 0

      Anecdotal yes but I fly a lot as well and everyone pulls out a tablet , almost no one pulls our a pc.

      You are correct. Very few people will pull out their full-size tower, monitor, keyboard and mouse on an airplane. I'm not sure why. Maybe it has something to do with aspect ratios.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    10. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by Calydor · · Score: 1

      Well done, PopeRatzo. You really called him out on that particular choice of words! How DARE he carelessly mix up PC and laptop! It's such a good thing we have you here to put people in their place over these transgressions!

      --
      -=This sig has nothing to do with my comment. Move along now=-
    11. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by Solandri · · Score: 1

      Tablets more popular than desktop computers for browsing. The vast majority of desktop computers are used in businesses (where web browsing is usually prohibited) and by gamers. Most home users switched to laptops long ago, and most gamers also own a laptop for their non-gaming computer use.

      And tablets are very popular. They just have a really long usable lifespan, which caused sales per year to plummet once the market was saturated. Mine is going on 4 years old and I have no intention of replacing it, whereas I get the itch to replace my laptop after 2 years and usually replace it by 3 years. I'd still be using my 8 year old tablet if the battery hadn't died.

    12. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Anecdotal yes but I fly a lot as well and everyone pulls out a tablet , almost no one pulls our a pc.

      You are correct. Very few people will pull out their full-size tower, monitor, keyboard and mouse on an airplane. I'm not sure why. Maybe it has something to do with aspect ratios.

      No, I think it has something to do with ignorant people wrongly trying to correct others using sarcasm. And you're probably old enough to know better.

      A Personal Computer (PC) is a generic term that can be used to identify ANY form factor meant for personal use (as opposed to the mainframe systems the term was delineating from). Just because we have more form factors today doesn't mean a laptop is any less of a personal computing device than a desktop is.

    13. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by geekmux · · Score: 1

      ...Cell phones... yes. Almost everyone I know is glued to a cell phone... but tablets seriously? This article is from 2018 not 2010 right?

      Uh, back in 2010 we didn't have cell phones the size of fucking tablets. Could be part of the confusion.

    14. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 0

      Well done, PopeRatzo. You really called him out on that particular choice of words! How DARE he carelessly mix up PC and laptop! It's such a good thing we have you here to put people in their place over these transgressions!

      I do my part, because I care.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    15. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by Kjella · · Score: 1

      And tablets are very popular. They just have a really long usable lifespan, which caused sales per year to plummet once the market was saturated. Mine is going on 4 years old and I have no intention of replacing it, whereas I get the itch to replace my laptop after 2 years and usually replace it by 3 years. I'd still be using my 8 year old tablet if the battery hadn't died.

      Funny, I've heard the exact same argument in reverse. Like the tablet is where you have Netflix, YouTube, social media, casual gaming etc. where you care about CPU/GPU power, "snappiness" and battery life while the laptop is relegated to typing up letters, resumes, long emails, blog posts, homework, making up basic checklists and spreadsheets etc. basically quasi-office work. I mean for me it would be completely unthinkable but we're not the average couch potato. For a lot of people having a "real" computer is not that important.

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    16. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by pr0fessor · · Score: 1

      Perhaps any cell phone 5.5 inches or larger?

      You can get cheap 5.5 or larger androids at walmart for under $100.

    17. Re: Tablets more popular than computers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Under that definition tablets are PCs.

    18. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by iggymanz · · Score: 1

      so you're out of touch with how most people do computing, perhaps even while sitting at your gamer rig.... sounds like a first world problem

    19. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by Stormwatch · · Score: 1

      Where do you draw the line for the size of a tablet? The HTC Athena had a 5" screen back in 2007.

    20. Re: Tablets more popular than computers? by bn-7bc · · Score: 1

      Well a laprop is a pc a screen a keboed ans a betery (usualy hast at keas wifi in addition) in a convunient mobile form factor, unless ofc the laprop n question is made by apple and runnng mac os) Because forsome reason a lot of people define pc as a comuuter runnng ms windows, as opposet to a personal comuter (nor a min computer (see DEC VAX etc) or mainframes. Man Iâ(TM)m getting old alltho Ikve never used a Mini mysel, I destincly remember my father using a vax at for fiir som early GIS

    21. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sir, I just want to say that you get a lot of undeserved 'hate' here. I've learned some useful information from your posts over the years here. (I'm Sternishefan, but it's for some reason a hassle to log in, so I just post AC and lurk here now.)

      I don't think you're a troll, you do stir the pot sometimes, and hey, I'm all for that. Just wanted you to know that I and other people do learn from your posts, don't let the assholes get to you here. Thanks again, and you keep on keeping on as you do. :)

    22. Re: Tablets more popular than computers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Tablets. Cell phones. They are all mini-computers with antennas. The most basic device has more computing power than the computers that got humans to the Moon and back several times. Most people use them to do things that a Chromebook does. I live by the adage, "Do not say or do anything on any device that connects to online in any way that you wouldn't want to hear repeated back in an open courtroom."

    23. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 0

      Sir, I just want to say that you get a lot of undeserved 'hate' here.

      I appreciate that. I'm actually the most beloved commenter on Slashdot (see the official Slashdot polls, 2006-2018). There is s small vocal group of losers and haters here who try to denigrate me, but everyone recognizes them for what they are.

      When Slashdot readers meet me on the street, I get nothing but love.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    24. Re: Tablets more popular than computers? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      Because forsome reason a lot of people define pc as a comuuter runnng ms windows, as opposet to a personal comuter (nor a min computer (see DEC VAX etc) or mainframes. Man Iâ(TM)m getting old alltho Ikve never used a Mini mysel, I destincly remember my father using a vax at for fiir som early GIS

      I have a Compaq Portable that I use for plane trips.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    25. Re: Tablets more popular than computers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Obviously you can't read. Desktops, not desktops / laptops. Tablets surpass just desktops. Laptops were counted separately. Tablet use up to 32 percent, desktop use down to 30 percent, and laptop use unchanged at 46 percent. Note this is not exclusive use of just one device or another, just how many has some usage of such devices.

    26. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ;^)

      You know you. You have my respect sir. Enjoy this wacky life. Opinions and assholes, everyone's got one, my father used to say.

    27. Re:Tablets more popular than computers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      #MeToo!

  4. Spending on entertainment... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    supposedly goes up the worse the economy gets. Escapism.

  5. US says? US lies 365 days a month by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Reality is everybody already has desktops of some sort and didn't tell anybody about it for survey says. Retailers likewise don't send sales aggregate to anybody and if they did they'd be subject to fuckups too.,

    The story is bullshit. Someplace there is a place "beween the lines" that got this story here. Reuters fucks up on cat in tree stories on the regular.

    get the hell out of dodge.

  6. Don't hate them for using tablets by Seven+Spirals · · Score: 2

    It's all some folks can get a hold of. When you are a kid, you just take whatever your parents give you. If that's a tablet or a Timex Sinclair 1000, then that's what it is. If someone wants to use a computing device (or any object) to be productive, then they can find a way (load a better OS, get a keyboard, etc..). It's not the kind of device you own, it's how much drive you have to learn and make the thing sing. I've met many Russians who grew up computing on the worst kind of Apple-II or PC clone, but learned a ton about computing and went on to do it "for real".

    1. Re:Don't hate them for using tablets by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's not the kind of device you own, it's how much drive you have to learn and make the thing sing. I've met many Russians who grew up computing on the worst kind of Apple-II or PC clone, but learned a ton about computing and went on to do it "for real".

      In America, consumers are as dumbed down as the devices they own, and they have zero fucking "drive" to learn how to maximize or master their use of it. They buy them for the fashion statement, and use them the same way the rest of the lemmings do; social media and Netflix binging.

  7. Huh? by Cornwallis · · Score: 2

    "...more households had a mobile data plan than wired broadband service" is an indictment against the absolute shit choices most people have vis-a-vis ISPs... if I believe that statement.

    1. Re: Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Currently I have zero internet options where I live, but I can throw a rock from my couch farther than the nearest fiber connection across the road.

    2. Re:Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I think this is more an issue of poverty, to an extent, though perhaps you are more correct than I am. That is, if you can only afford to pay for one service, either a cell phone or home broadband, then the cell phone is going to be more useful.

    3. Re:Huh? by pnutjam · · Score: 1

      Not necessarily. My sister has cell data only and told me she sometimes uses a free hour on the xfinity wireless by her house. I offered to make her an account on my xfinity to allow her to use it for free and she has yet to take me up on it.

      I'm forced to conclude she's happy using her phone for everything.

  8. Tablets will come strong. by Qbertino · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Watching a non-expert trying to use a laptop and then watching them using a tablet is a real eye opener. I expect tablets to bounce back from their niche in the next few years.

    --
    We suffer more in our imagination than in reality. - Seneca
    1. Re:Tablets will come strong. by DarkRookie · · Score: 1

      Just proves that they never bother to learn how to use a PC/Laptop.
      Yes, they are idiots. Not for not knowing how to use one, but for refusing to learn.

      --
      The millennial that doesn't like most of the stuff designed for millennials.
  9. only 86% among wealthy? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Holy Crap is that ever low! Americans are living in the stone age! How do these people even live anymore?

    1. Re:only 86% among wealthy? by LostMyBeaver · · Score: 1

      Thank you!!! I've been looking for this comment.

      First... $100k a year is wealthy? That's two people averaging $50k a year income. That's not wealthy. That's barely middle class (not middle income which is American for barely out of poverty).

      Second... 14% of the people in America living in $100k+ a year household manage to make $100K+ a year without using the Internet? How the hell in 2018 can you earn $50K+ a year without using the Internet? I'm trying hard as hell to list careers that pay $50K+ a year and don't require Internet access. I suppose some of the union workers at UPS in the sorting facilities might get that much. Would a household with two people who work on a Tesla assembly line make that much?

      Maybe this is counting a very large number of retired people who have investments that make $100K in returns a year.

      I'm totally grasping at straws now. Who the hell can possibly be in that paygrade in 2018 without using the Internet? Is it possible it's a sales person who things that when he's watching porn on his telephone or tablet that it's not really Internet?

  10. As an application developer by oldgraybeard · · Score: 5, Informative

    I am seeing more and more of the data entry coming from the field via tablets. They are replacing the paper that used to come back to the office. Now the forms are being filled out electronically in the field and pictures of things like bills of lading and load reports, etc are being inserted right in to the forms and being transmitted.
    The packets still get back to the offices but they are mostly archived and if used, it is only to sort out any issues with the data already in the databases.
    Tablets /w cameras really have a place in the effort to cut down on paperwork. And smooth the business processes.
    But a side effect of this will be, smaller office staffs , etc. And entry jobs such as data entry will become fewer.
    I am working with businesses that provide all their drivers and equipment operators with tablets, which they use for everything from daily time cards to filling out job sheets and work flow processing.

    Just my 2 cents ;)

  11. Re:PC Tablets by Stormwatch · · Score: 1

    Bulky. Heavy. Hot. Power-hungry. Software not designed for touch.

  12. Re:PC Tablets by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Bulky. Heavy. Hot. Power-hungry. Software not designed for touch.

    Well, now that we've heard from the 80-pound teenager who only uses a computer for social media and Netflix binging, perhaps we can get back to discussing the computing needs for those who actually work with them.

  13. Re:PC Tablets by DarkRookie · · Score: 1

    Bulky. My system is only 14.00" x 10.20" x 14.00". Not very big
    Heavy. Its only 20lbs. 2 1/2 gallons of milk. If you struggling to move that, you have issues
    Hot. Nope. Runs at a nice 40C most of the time. I can get it to 80C gaming most of the day, but still doesnt effect the room all that much.
    Software. Best part. I have a mouse and keyboard. WAY better input than touch. Its a lot more precise and faster. If you paid any attention in your typing class, you should be able to pull 60WPM with no problem. And you don't have to remember some arcane swipe to show things that are hidden

    --
    The millennial that doesn't like most of the stuff designed for millennials.
  14. Re:PC Tablets by Stormwatch · · Score: 1

    Its only 20lbs.

    That's so light, only TWENTY TIMES the weight of a regular tablet.

  15. +1 like the back of my hand by epine · · Score: 1

    A laptop with a large external monitor (or any kind of docking station) is a desktop.

    In fact, I would enlarge "desktop" to include any form of input-heavy computer use where you don't constantly have your own fingers occupying (if not obscuring) your field of view.

    1. Re:+1 like the back of my hand by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And a desktop with a battery, display, and keyboard taped to it is laptop. So what?

  16. Re:PC Tablets by DarkRookie · · Score: 1

    With 1000x the performance.

    --
    The millennial that doesn't like most of the stuff designed for millennials.
  17. Re: PC Tablets by cayenne8 · · Score: 1

    I use a tablet for looking things up and replying to emails, but I really don't do any serious work on it. I also get annoyed to hell about the forced mobile view of websites on Apple devices,

    I"m largely like you....

    However, with the iPad Pro...I maxed mine out, I find that I can do more and more with it.

    The pencil has really opened up some capabilities I can use on the road. The processing power of the iPad pro seems to rival that of many laptops and I'd dare say some underpowered desktops.

    I'm amazed at what I can do with apps like Affinity Photo...where I've done some very resource intensive things like multi RAW images (30+) (from canon 5D3) focus stacking that it handles it without even a whimper.

    Again, can't do everything with it, I do MOST of my real work at a desktop/workstation set up....but I must say, the upper level tablets like the iPad Pro are starting to blur the lines and allow you to do some real work on them.

    I agree on the forced mobile website thing...ugh.

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
  18. Huh?-"fake internet" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "...more households had a mobile data plan than wired broadband service" is an indictment against the absolute shit choices most people have vis-a-vis ISPs... if I believe that statement.

    It shows just how much of a lie, "but you NEEEED broadband" to get the internet. So yes mobile and even satellite are good enough to GET THE INTERNET.

  19. As a scanner. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Some tablets even have bar code and RFID scanners.

  20. Re:PC Tablets by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    80lbs teenager? LOL. That's not the 'Murica I know.

  21. Re:US says? US lies 365 days a month by desdinova+216 · · Score: 1

    Do you mean that Reuters releases stories that are critical to Trump?

  22. Get the MOST out of your connection by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    See subject & APK Hosts File Engine 2.0++ 64-bit for Linux h t t p : / / a p k . i t - m a t e . c o . u k / A P K H o s t s F i l e E n g i n e F o r L i n u x . z i p (remove spaces between characters & download)!

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    Vs. "Bolt on 'MoAr' illogic-logic" competitors slowing you, hosts speed you up 2 ways (adblocks + hardcodes u spend most time @) vs. competition loaded w/ bugs (DNS/AntiVir) + their overheads (messagepass ('souled-out' to advertiser addons) + filtering drivers) & their complexity leads to exploitation.

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    P.S.=> Enjoy - it's much better vs. the Windows model on many fronts (speed & efficiency mostly (plus a new "merge" feature))... apk

  23. Re:Get the MOST out of your connection by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    what does this have to do with more people using tablets vs desktops or laptops?

  24. Re:PC Tablets by Tough+Love · · Score: 1

    Especially if you want to get work done. Speed. Piece by piece hardware upgrades. Useful apps. Speed.

    You mean with KDE, right? Otherwise I don't want weirdo, unsafe Windows crap on my consumer electronics. I'd take crappy ChromeOS over that, like most people.

    --
    When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
  25. Re:PC Tablets by BillTheKatt · · Score: 1

    Hey, my VAX might be a little bulky, heavy, hot, and yea, power hungry, but the keyboard is so smooth! Designed for touch, and lots of it!

  26. Re:Get the MOST out of your connection by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Apk has again run us DRY of our effete useless against him downmodpoints as we stalk and harass him by unidentifiable anonymous pussy posts. Regroup, head back to coward do-nothing "ne'er-do-well" control and admit defeat is the word passed down from unidentifiable coward command! Obey! He HAS forced us to show our hand and what we are embarassing us publicly and we don't like it. Our fault. We truly ARE the do-nothing "ne'er-do-well" MILLENIAL wastes of life (and we are ashamed of it and take it out on guys like him that are our antithesis, because we WISH we were him).

  27. Re:PC Tablets by LostMyBeaver · · Score: 1

    So... you're able to build a PC and install software on it and do all of that, but you can't remember how to swipe your finger to show hidden things?

    I carry a PC which is 2lbs, has a respectable 8th Gen Core i7, a GTX 1060 and by the time it's a little old, I can get a new one and pass this one down to one of my kids.

    When I get to work, I plug it into a 27" Wacom Cintiq, and external keyboard and mouse. When I'm on an airplane, I can play video games with an XBox One controller on a VR display.

    As for temperature... not really a problem. It is never to hot to have on my lap.

    As for swipes and stuff, I can detach the screen and use it as a 1lb tablet for reading and watching films or playing angry birds.

    The big machines... they basically sit around running mining software to avoid letting them collect dust.

    Let me recommend something useful. Get a laptop... something simple and good enough. Then get a passport. Then get a plane ticket. Travel and see the world.

    If you think that a desktop is a replacement for a decent laptop, you probably are at risk of a vitamin D deficiency and should spend some time at a cafe in Madrid or maybe on the steps of a pyramid in south america.

    And for some of us, typing class was a class which only girls were allowed to take in school because they were being prepared for their very exciting career as a secretary as someone forgot to call the school and say "Dude... this is the '90s, girls are legally allowed to think now"

  28. Re:PC Tablets by LostMyBeaver · · Score: 1

    Please don't joke... I've actually been trying to buy a VAX this past month because I need something that runs DECTERM properly. The shipping on those things is a bit prohibitive though.

  29. Re: PC Tablets by rtb61 · · Score: 1

    The desktop is dead, in favour of smart terminals and notebooks. Tablets are for the empty consumption of content and obviously will be the computer for the majority, along with a smart TV (keep in mind the 100IQ is average and at 100 you are not a big computer users or a content creator, still the majority market). Tablets are utter shit for creating content, just the way it is.

    Desktops are down to power users and M$ is busily pissing them off with forced software installs, using them as crash test dummies for patches for business users and of course data mine their hard disk drives.

    --
    Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
  30. OK, great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Let's point all these reproduce-like-rabbits, 'low-income' socialist-extremist scammers to the wonderful world of usenet, & be done with it. Fuck 'em.