The PC is Dying -- COMPUTERWORLD

A real technologist doesn't allow himself to feel threatened by this stuff.

We will capitalize on these cutesy bootsy machines (ie, write their software, manage their lans, etc) just like we did with PC's.

Back in the day, PC was like Mac to people who were used to Unix and DEC boxes and mainframes.

They also said "Oh isn't that cute. Pansy ass PC's will never replace what we can do with ours."

And Microsoft replaced the old DEC/IBM/AT&T computing order.

Now fast forward it's Apple doing the same thing, innovating and producing the next set of machines for the masses.

The Wintel alliance has failed to realise that pure horsepower is useless without strong standards.

People don't want quad cores running spaghetti code.

They'd rather have a single core running smoothly.

They don't want a registry that gets more bloated every year, hard drives that get fragmented, programs that crash because you had the sheer gall to run it, vulnerability to malware, laggy ass browsers with 8000 ads on every page, where proper configuration is part science and part luck, where your computer mysteriously gets slower every year.

Windows has only survived this long thru pure bullying of the market and mafia tactics by Microsoft.

It deserved to die a long time ago, because it's the most poorly engineered OS on the planet.

The eye-opener came with iPhones.

Once people saw what a well-made and intuitive OS looks like, nobody wanted to go back to Windows.

They sure as f*ck don't want Windows on their phone.

Hermit anxiety is based on the precept that "but we need Windows to run our games."

Games will come to any OS with a market.

When Windows is buried, you'll have games on whatever OS takes dominance.

The video game market doesn't care if Windows lives or dies, it will write code for anything.

If that was going to happen in the future than it would've been a sad future for gaming but no, Apple's computers will never ever become the majority. They're only a company while the PC world is a conglomerate. As for PC dying, it's only the towers taking a hit and laptops becoming the norm. Soon we'll have the tablet PCs around too. Is not dying, it's just evolving.

And Microsoft replaced the old DEC/IBM/AT&T computing order.

Now fast forward it's Apple doing the same thing, innovating and producing the next set of machines for the masses.

LazySloth718

That's bs. OSX will never become the OS of the masses because it runs only on a limited set of hardware which are owned by only one company. Windows will still keep the lead because it still runs everywhere, in a few months it will run on ARM too.

PC's main strenghts are the ever-evolving and powerful hardware and openess. Those are the main reason why it prevailed over other computer systems in the past. However, power and openess isn't such a big deal to many people nowadays. So they'll be willing to buy weaker and more closed systems but what they will find more attractive and accessible. So it's to be expected that the PC will evolve as well. But for enthusiast gaming and specific tasks the "traditional" PC will remain relevant. That's in the interest of hardware companies and advanced users after all.

Steam has now more than 40 million users, and will end 2012 with 50-55 millions. Kepler (GTX 780) is around the corner...

Man, can't wait, nex generation of PC games will be groundbreaking whereas next generation of console games will be struggling to match the four years old Crysis graphics (and anyway, in a native resolution of 1080p that I leave back more than a year ago). Man, I love this, I love to have a job and to spent money in a hobby that I like and if this is PC dying I love/want PC dying forever...

/Returns to play Tribes Ascend beta.

gaming in general=dead casuals killed it

That's bs. OSX will never become the OS of the masses because it runs only on a limited set of hardware which are owned by only one company. Windows will still keep the lead because it still runs everywhere, in a few months it will run on ARM too.

edidili

A limited set of hardware that's about the same price as HP/Dell/E-machines and a hell of alot nicer.

OSx already runs on PC hardware.

Eventually they'll release a general OS version and Windows will be in the garbage where it belongs.

Apple Argh! :evil: Anyway, I don't believe the PC is dying.. it's just transitioning to more portable devices. All they need is someone to corner the market on a Sh!tty OS for all portables. :P

When i go back and look at my old pc games the developers thank the person for buying the game on the game manuals, developers dont even thank you anymore taking gamers for granted.

Eventually they'll release a general OS version and Windows will be in the garbage where it belongs.

LazySloth718

Yeah when they do that then they may have a chance. Meanwhile MS is making windows run on multiple platforms, being able to run on both touch and desktops, both on x86 and ARM while still having an amazing backward combatibility and able to run on whatever configuration of hardwares you can come up with. There is a reason why that OS is a leader.

[QUOTE="LazySloth718"]

And Microsoft replaced the old DEC/IBM/AT&T computing order.

Now fast forward it's Apple doing the same thing, innovating and producing the next set of machines for the masses.

edidili

That's bs. OSX will never become the OS of the masses because it runs only on a limited set of hardware which are owned by only one company. Windows will still keep the lead because it still runs everywhere, in a few months it will run on ARM too.

Anything with an x86 chip can run OSX nowadays im pretty sure.The movement comes down to how apple's positioned themselves in the tablet market aswell.Tablet seems to be the natural evolution of the laptop really.Even over the past 10 years the PC industry has changed drastically and especially the tech and laptops.

[QUOTE="edidili"]

[QUOTE="LazySloth718"]

And Microsoft replaced the old DEC/IBM/AT&T computing order.

Now fast forward it's Apple doing the same thing, innovating and producing the next set of machines for the masses.

razgriz_101

That's bs. OSX will never become the OS of the masses because it runs only on a limited set of hardware which are owned by only one company. Windows will still keep the lead because it still runs everywhere, in a few months it will run on ARM too.

Anything with an x86 chip can run OSX nowadays im pretty sure.The movement comes down to how apple's positioned themselves in the tablet market aswell.Tablet seems to be the natural evolution of the laptop really.Even over the past 10 years the PC industry has changed drastically and especially the tech and laptops.

you still have to buy mac edition video cards lol

The Mac and iPad are not.musicalmac

macs for gaming... :lol:

When i go back and look at my old pc games the developers thank the person for buying the game on the game manuals, developers dont even thank you anymore taking gamers for granted.

heeeeeeeeeweeee

So here's a new spin on an old, old, old thread. According to Computerworld, the PC is dying! But there's a catch --

The Mac and iPad are not. SOURCE

Now I don't agree with everything here in this article, and I don't pretend to propagate the idea that the PC is actually dying, because that requires defining exactly what "dying" is. However, it's hard not to look at those numbers and come to a couple basic conclusions-

1. iPad sales are unbelievably strong, so strong that iPads outsold iPods in the latest quarter, a product that costs hundreds less.
2. PC sales are down, which would lead one to believe that many casual computer users are spending more time on things like tablets than they are on things like a traditional PC. That means more bodies for developers to create software for, which in turn means more money, especially with a business model like Apple has perfected with their App Store (4 billion dollars made by developers already).

So do your best to ignore the Mac vs PC argument, what I'm talking about is something much larger than that. To make it easy on you, I'm going to lay it all out so you can see exactly what it is I'm getting at.

-- What do you think this means for you, the gamer? WIll this shift in the industry effect you at all? Do you think this is another signal of the changing times?

Apple has reinvented music, reinvented mobile media players, reinvented smartphones, reinvented application distribution, reinvented tablet computing, have just launched an initiative to reinvent textbooks, and are rumored to be reinventing television. What's to stop them from turning towards gaming and digital entertainment? 100 billion plus in the bank, ready to roll, who knows what's going to happen. But the question remains --

How could this effect you?musicalmac

If it doesn't I'd have to agree with it.

If it does can't say I agree.

what about the Mac ?

[QUOTE="iKILLnerds"] PC sales are probably down because people aren't buying the prefab garbage anymore, hopefully. musicalmac

"Apple has reinvented music, reinvented mobile media players, reinvented smartphones, reinvented application distribution, reinvented tablet computing, have just launched an initiative to reinvent textbooks, and are rumored to be reinventing television"

If apple fans really believe all this they are the most un-informed consumers there exists.

Soooooooo the pre-built, standard desktop market is down because they only serve as a substitute for laptops/tablets

Buuuuuuut the gaming/enthusiast sector is way way up given that there is hardly an overlap in the aformentioned market

Soooooooo the pre-built, standard desktop market is down because they only serve as a substitute for laptops/tablets

Buuuuuuut the gaming/enthusiast sector is way way up given that there is hardly an overlap in the aformentioned market

SW__Troll

People seem to ingore this somehow.

So here's a new spin on an old, old, old thread. According to Computerworld, the PC is dying! But there's a catch --

The Mac and iPad are not. SOURCE

Now I don't agree with everything here in this article, and I don't pretend to propagate the idea that the PC is actually dying, because that requires defining exactly what "dying" is. However, it's hard not to look at those numbers and come to a couple basic conclusions-

1. iPad sales are unbelievably strong, so strong that iPads outsold iPods in the latest quarter, a product that costs hundreds less.
2. PC sales are down, which would lead one to believe that many casual computer users are spending more time on things like tablets than they are on things like a traditional PC. That means more bodies for developers to create software for, which in turn means more money, especially with a business model like Apple has perfected with their App Store (4 billion dollars made by developers already).

So do your best to ignore the Mac vs PC argument, what I'm talking about is something much larger than that. To make it easy on you, I'm going to lay it all out so you can see exactly what it is I'm getting at.

-- What do you think this means for you, the gamer? WIll this shift in the industry effect you at all? Do you think this is another signal of the changing times?

Apple has reinvented music, reinvented mobile media players, reinvented smartphones, reinvented application distribution, reinvented tablet computing, have just launched an initiative to reinvent textbooks, and are rumored to be reinventing television. What's to stop them from turning towards gaming and digital entertainment? 100 billion plus in the bank, ready to roll, who knows what's going to happen. But the question remains --

How could this effect you?musicalmac

Not effected. We need PC segment break down.

Intel posted record earnings for Q4 2011

PC Client Group revenue of $9 billion, up 17 percent year-over-year.
Data Center Group revenue of $2.7 billion, up 8 percent year-over-year.
Other Intel® architecture group revenue of $1.1 billion, up 35 percent year-over-year.
Intel® Atom™ microprocessor and chipset revenue of $167 million, down 57 percent year-over-year.
McAfee Inc. and Intel Mobile Communications contributed revenue of approximately $1 billion.

Normal PC segments increased, while Intel Atom decreased which would affect unit sales. Intel plans to displace the Atom netbooks with Ultrabooks.

Intel is shifting it's Atom line into the smartphone market.

Samsung prepping Atom powered Android 4-0 phone For Sprint

Soooooooo the pre-built, standard desktop market is down because they only serve as a substitute for laptops/tablets

Buuuuuuut the gaming/enthusiast sector is way way up given that there is hardly an overlap in the aformentioned market

SW__Troll

Yep, and the 5 million concurrent steam users figure is also hoax.

"Apple has reinvented music, reinvented mobile media players, reinvented smartphones, reinvented application distribution, reinvented tablet computing, have just launched an initiative to reinvent textbooks, and are rumored to be reinventing television"

If apple fans really believe all this they are the most un-informed consumers there exists.

lucky_star

I can at least vouch for music. In the studios, it was not uncommon to hear several years ago to 'mix it for iPod'. Now it's a given. Music these days is simply just LOUD. There is no dynamic range in music anymore thanks to the iPod.

what about the Mac ?

rasengan2552

[QUOTE="lucky_star"]

"Apple has reinvented music, reinvented mobile media players, reinvented smartphones, reinvented application distribution, reinvented tablet computing, have just launched an initiative to reinvent textbooks, and are rumored to be reinventing television"

If apple fans really believe all this they are the most un-informed consumers there exists.

FrozenLiquid

I can at least vouch for music. In the studios, it was not uncommon to hear several years ago to 'mix it for iPod'. Now it's a given. Music these days is simply just LOUD. There is no dynamic range in music anymore thanks to the iPod.

not to mention garageband has become a useful tool and a few aritsts have used the tracks created in it in the final mix of their album.

Also one cant deny iTunes really did revolutionize the way we bought music aswell and how we percieved Digital distribution.

It isn't dying just because people are buying iPads, what are we assuming that when you buy an iPad you obviously through the pc/laptop you are likely to already own out the window? Im sure most people that own an iPad own some sort of PC too. I don't even think this will affect me, they are different devices targeting a different market, as long as there isn't a massive drop off in sales of graphics cards I feel pretty confident my hobby is safe :).

I think its wrong to say that the PC is dying. Its undeniable that Apple's business model is working, everything is selling like crazy (including the Macs), that being said. Anything saying the PC is dying is either a seriously bias Apple fanboy or an idiot/troller.

Mac is a PC......

I honestly don't get the point of this at all.

lets see what happens with windows 8, apple is pushing microsfot to focus more on pc gaming among other things.

[QUOTE="rasengan2552"]

what about the Mac ?

AdrianWerner

Mac is a PC......

I honestly don't get the point of this at all.

o0squishy0o

I use my PC to browse the web only. If the PC eventually dies, I would move to a tablet that does the same thing. However, I write a lot so that touch keyboard might not to the trick for me.

Ah ComputerWorld, where would we be without your sensationalist misreporting? This glorified fanboy blog post would be biased and factually incorrect in any year, but they choose to publish this tripe in the very year that Microsoft is going to release Windows 8 and make the PC vs. tablet debate irrelevant by introducing a radically overhauled interface and treating the tablet as another type of PC form factor rather than an obese smart phone.

[QUOTE="lucky_star"]

"Apple has reinvented music, reinvented mobile media players, reinvented smartphones, reinvented application distribution, reinvented tablet computing, have just launched an initiative to reinvent textbooks, and are rumored to be reinventing television"

If apple fans really believe all this they are the most un-informed consumers there exists.

FrozenLiquid

I can at least vouch for music. In the studios, it was not uncommon to hear several years ago to 'mix it for iPod'. Now it's a given. Music these days is simply just LOUD. There is no dynamic range in music anymore thanks to the iPod.

The dynamic range of albums being squashed to sound loud has been going on since well forever, but really got terrible around 1993, check out Oasis whats the story morning glory, or Iggy Pops remix/remaster of Raw Power, both compete with modern albums for lack of dynamics and loudness. It's just that now pretty much everyone is squashing their albums, whereas in the 90's you had some exceptions like Soundgarden. I doubt the iPod was much of an influence, since that only really took off big in 2004/5 when the 4g came out and then the video iPod. I'm not too sure what the cause of the loudness war was, probably just a pissing contest between artist/labels.

Ugh, what a terrible article. It really does come across as an Apple propaganda piece. Just to be clear, I do think that we're going to be seeing significant changes to PC's, Consoles and other forms of gaming in the next dace or so. I just don't think the article succeeded in making a coherent argument for that change.

A couple of points:

- Growth of Tablets does not equal a decline in PC sales. You cannot logically assume that the fact that a lot of people are buying tablets means that people will stop buying or using 'traditional' PC's.

- Whether PC sales are down appears to depend somewhat on how you decide to measure PC sales, I've seen articles claim either. But trying to make the argument that Windows based PC's are dying while Macs are taking over is just silly when the same article explains that mac's hold just over a 10% market share. That like claiming that the Vita is destroying the 3DS by selling 1/10th as many machines as the 3DS.

- It conveniently ignores the realities of today's market. Right now most westerners do not yet have a tablet while most people have at least one PC. Tablets are the new hot thing while everyone is fairly well stocked in terms of PC's. PC sales are driven largely by consumers who need (or want to) to replace their PC. Whereas the tablets still have the advantage of hundreds of millions of consumers who've yet to have a tablet. The more the tablet market gets saturated, the harder it will be to maintain the sales we're seeing right now.

- Tablets and smart phones cannot replace the PC (or the consoles) yet for the simple reason that they are not yet able to replace the PC's and Consoles. The reason? They don't provide a comparable functionality. Tablets will need to evolve into a product that can replace the functionality offered by the PC's before they can realistically replace them.

Mazoch

I agree with this, it has yet to be seen if tablets can maintain their momentum in the long run, PC's have proven that they have selling power. Tablets have only really taken off in a big way in the past couple of years, once the hype dies down and Apple move on to the next thing, whether there will still be a big market left is yet to be seen.

not to mention garageband has become a useful tool and a few aritsts have used the tracks created in it in the final mix of their album.

Also one cant deny iTunes really did revolutionize the way we bought music aswell and how we percieved Digital distribution.

razgriz_101

Wth has the perception of DD to do with iTunes :? ?

[QUOTE="razgriz_101"]

not to mention garageband has become a useful tool and a few aritsts have used the tracks created in it in the final mix of their album.

Also one cant deny iTunes really did revolutionize the way we bought music aswell and how we percieved Digital distribution.

N30F3N1X

Wth has the perception of DD to do with iTunes :? ?

iTunes was one of the very first to be commercially sucessful and get the backing of nearly all the major labels and a lot of self released titles and indie labels (shameless plug for a local band Burn the Sunset here).

It was the first to show it was a viable way for DD to take over in the music industry and kept everything simple, and straightforward for the end user.

first to be commercially sucessful and get the backing of nearly all the major labels and a lot of self released titles and indie labels (shameless plug for a local band Burn the Sunset here).

It was the first to show it was a viable way for DD to take over in the music industry and kept everything simple, and straightforward for the end user.

razgriz_101

It was already out there for everyone to see considering the success torrents and Napster soared to. It's just that the music companies were bigots.

[QUOTE="razgriz_101"] first to be commercially sucessful and get the backing of nearly all the major labels and a lot of self released titles and indie labels (shameless plug for a local band Burn the Sunset here).

It was the first to show it was a viable way for DD to take over in the music industry and kept everything simple, and straightforward for the end user.

N30F3N1X

It was already out there for everyone to see considering the success torrents and Napster soared to. It's just that the music companies were bigots.

Ah but the problem that lies at the time of iTunes launching was that most filesharing and digital distribution of music tended to be on the not so legal side.iTunes was the first commerciay sucessful one for legal dd and to me iTunes has the best backup system aswell, love the fact i've got my catalogue on various computers because it has a purchase history unlike Amazon's shoddy DD service.