Desktops: Dead or Alive

Looking at the current technology trends at CES 2011, it seems that previous year’s predictions about desktops becoming extinct are becoming true. In 2009, a report by Mike Abramsky, an RBC market analyst predicted that towards the end of 2011, desktop sales will decline to be replaced by soaring smartphone sales. While according to Forrester Research Inc. tablets will become the computer of choice as desktop sales are predicted to continually decline in the next few years. Mobile computing is indeed becoming the trend, but is this really the beginning of the end for desktop computers?

The plethora of tablet computers in all sizes took over the CES this year starting with Motorola’s Android 3.0(Honeycomb) powered Xoom. Honeycomb is said to be THE operating system specifically designed for tablet computers. iPad still stands as the favorite among many, while Asus, Dell, Vizio, BlackBerry and many more announced their own this January. Although tablets are still to be fully embraced by the public, it offers a brand new way of computing. Tablets give users an e-book reader, browser, multi-media communicator, media player and even a GPS system in one portable machine. In addition, the multi-touch technology is one thing desktops will have a hard time contending with.

Laptops and notebooks have also taken a big chunk off the desktop market share. They are lightweight and give you basic the functionality of a traditional desktop. Wireless, 3G and other connectivity options make these portable personal computers all the more attractive and useful. The obvious difference between a laptop, a netbook and a notebook is mainly the weight and size which plays a big factor for people on the go. There is also a difference when it comes to storage capacity and speed. Notebooks are more ideal for basic computing needs like email, browsing and word processing. A laptop, especially a good one, can be powerful enough to contend with any desktop. Still for the younger generation, they are no longer considered as a second computer. A growing number of people and even businesses consider laptops and notebooks the equipment of choice.

Despite the significant decline in market share, the desktop can still hold water and manufacturers are finding ways to pimp their new desktop releases. Case in point is the series of desktop computers coming out this year from manufacturers like Acer, Dell, Hewlett Packard and Microsoft. Although desktops are not mobile, they are still the top picks in terms of durability and computing power.

Desktops are manufactured as high-end power machines and compared to their smaller counterparts; it is not as expensive to have repaired. This is one advantage that tablets, laptops and notebooks do not have, since parts are too small and compact, it is more advisable to replace than repair them. During CES 2011, we also saw the announcement of powerful desktops like Alienware and Origin Genesis gaming PCs, 3D monitors and new exciting peripherals that are sure to breathe new life to classic tower computers.

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