How long until desktop and laptop computers are phased out??

[NZStreetBaller]

its only a matter of time until cellphones can do absolutely everything a computer can do and more.

although the only thing it will never replace will be the large keyboard and large screen.

[bigkingsfan]

Not in this lifetime. The gap between CPU and Graphics is still too wide.

[fiddy]

its only a matter of time until cellphones can do absolutely everything a computer can do and more.

although the only thing it will never replace will be the large keyboard and large screen.
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[iamgine]

Soon friend...soon.

https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/horacegrant1.jpg

[Duderonomy]

For personal use, yes. For businesses, not in the next 20 years.

[DCL]

can't do word processing or excel on a phone.

i mean, you can do those things on a phone, but it's so inconvenient.

some things still require a nice big screen and a keyboard.

and doubt college students are interested in thumbing or fingering a 20-page essay on a little phone.

laptops ain't going anywhere.

[knickballer]

There's the Tablets that you can do word and excel on but problem is you'll need one of those keyboards to plug in with the tablet or it becomes inconvenient. At that point it's pretty much a small ass laptop with limited features.

[Andrei89]

Sure. If that futuristic phone appears which projects a screen anywhere you want and you can also use that projection as a touchscreen.

[DCL]

I have to disagree here. I love spreadsheet on my phone (5.5" size) and use it almost daily for budgeting. Google simplified/optimized to where it's super easy to use. I suppose the 5.5" size phone helps but it's also harder to carry around than an under 5" phone. Can't win...lol

you *can* do it, and i do some on the run too, but it's very inconvenient. i guess what you do is easy though if you don't have a lot of cells on the sheet. but if you have a beefier spreadsheet with dozens of rows and columns and pages that you want to easily navigate with a quick mouse, i find that much easier than trying to operate with fingers on a small screen.

[ballup]

Energy is another big issue unless you can drastically optimize the efficiency of handheld devices.

[embersyc]

It's 10-20 years away yet imo.

Solid state storage needs to surpass magnetic in price point, as I think people will eventually revolt against having all of their data in the cloud. You will still need servers, and as graphics cards get better they tend to get bigger and have more fans for a year or two. Lot's of high end scientific computing requires running many graphics processors in parallel still.

That said, I think it's already here for the average person who is not at work, or who doesn't work in a technical field, and who doesn't need bleeding edge graphics processing.

The question I have is something like a Microsoft Surface really a tablet, or is it just a smaller touchscreen laptop. The line is blurred.

Then you have form factors like NUC and PC on a Stick. These are really just small desktop PCs. My NUC is almost small enough to put in my pocket , yet it has a core-i5, 16GB ram, Ethernet, Wifi, 4 USB ports, Infrared, 500GB harddrive, only thing it really lacks is a great graphics processor, but it's still better than a PS3/XBOX 360 in this area. Makes it seem really close, until you look at the power pack, and realize it's almost the same size as the computer.

One problem is increasing resolution constantly requires more graphics processing. Right now as 4K seeks to become the new standard, and 8K is debuting in the marketplace the current generation of graphics processors are not truly able to handle rendering at these resolutions without running multiple cards.

Still once WiDi (Wireless Display) and Bluetooth get a few more iterations under their belt. I think it is reasonable that your phone could stay in your pocket and you could use any display (already phones are capable of this for playing video, but we don't really see it for apps yet), and a bluetooth keyboard/mouse to control it. This will work fine for most applications for most people.

[DeuceWallaces]

It's 10-20 years away yet imo.

Solid state storage needs to surpass magnetic in price point, as I think people will eventually revolt against having all of their data in the cloud. You will still need servers, and as graphics cards get better they tend to get bigger and have more fans for a year or two. Lot's of high end scientific computing requires running many graphics processors in parallel still.

That said, I think it's already here for the average person who is not at work, or who doesn't work in a technical field, and who doesn't need bleeding edge graphics processing.

The question I have is something like a Microsoft Surface really a tablet, or is it just a smaller touchscreen laptop. The line is blurred.

Then you have form factors like NUC and PC on a Stick. These are really just small desktop PCs. My NUC is almost small enough to put in my pocket , yet it has a core-i5, 16GB ram, Ethernet, Wifi, 4 USB ports, Infrared, 500GB harddrive, only thing it really lacks is a great graphics processor, but it's still better than a PS3/XBOX 360 in this area. Makes it seem really close, until you look at the power pack, and realize it's almost the same size as the computer.

One problem is increasing resolution constantly requires more graphics processing. Right now as 4K seeks to become the new standard, and 8K is debuting in the marketplace the current generation of graphics processors are not truly able to handle rendering at these resolutions without running multiple cards.

Still once WiDi (Wireless Display) and Bluetooth get a few more iterations under their belt. I think it is reasonable that your phone could stay in your pocket and you could use any display (already phones are capable of this for playing video, but we don't really see it for apps yet), and a bluetooth keyboard/mouse to control it. This will work fine for most applications for most people.

Yeah I can see it for the everday person. My fiance and a lot of friends have no need for a desktop, but I game, run lots of statistical models in parallel on my PC for work, etc. I won't be able to give one up until something along the lines of a Surface Pro can meet my storage and processing needs.

[ALBballer]

Tablets are already phasing out labtops for everyday use. If the Ipad Pro ran Mac OS instead of IO9 I would of probably considered buying one and replacing my notebook.

[StephHamann]

its only a matter of time until cellphones can do absolutely everything a computer can do and more.

although the only thing it will never replace will be the large keyboard and large screen.

http://replygif.net/i/1403.gif

Even simple things like writing a letter are a pain in the ass with Tablet/Smartphone

[DCL]

having everything that fits into a pocket is nice but people still appreciate the functionality of a mouse (or touchpad, at least), keyboard, and nice big screen to get things done.

even simple shortcuts... like finding text, opening or saving a file, etc., it's quicker to just control-f or shift-whatever instead of fingering around on a little screen.

[imdaman99]

Typing for more than 10 mins can be a pain in the ass on the phone, even if you have a 5.5" screen. I have a note 3 and I can only kik or whatsapp for a little bit before I get sick of typing on it. I only go back because that's what womanses like communicating on nowadays :(

Although I am sure with google learning your every move, you will be able to 'type' everything just by talking it out loud pretty soon enough. OK Google is alright, not my thing though.

[SugarHill]

phones will definitely not phase shit out

[masonanddixon]

Cellphones are for ladyboys

[warriorfan]

you can do shit over twice as fast on a real computer when compared to fuccing with your phone

[NZStreetBaller]

Alot of you are comparing the differences currently.... yes desktops and laptops are far superior. But surely theyll come to a point whilst competing in the phone market where theyll close the gap. I remember when the iphone first came out. Music player internet and phone all rolled into one was like wtf. I believe its only a matter of time before the gap closes

[ballup]

A couple of more issues that phones would need to overcome are heat generation from better processing technology and a better input medium. Touch screen keyboards are so limiting, not just in typing, but usability. The keyboard takes up screen space when used.


Alot of you are comparing the differences currently.... yes desktops and laptops are far superior. But surely theyll come to a point whilst competing in the phone market where theyll close the gap. I remember when the iphone first came out. Music player internet and phone all rolled into one was like wtf. I believe its only a matter of time before the gap closes
In order to get to a point of phones making computers obsolete, you have to work your way from the present forms. We are pointing out the major issues that need to be overcome. If not, you can go onto dreaming about far off sci-fi possibilities like advanced AI and hologram projections being common products.

[I<3NBA]

i'll phase out my desktop and laptop if i can compose 4000 word essays on my phone in a jiffy.

and voice recognition is shit. i hate talking.

so i'll probably wait till they invent telepathic recognition (where i just think what i wanna type)

[Coach Eddie]

its only a matter of time until cellphones can do absolutely everything a computer can do and more.

although the only thing it will never replace will be the large keyboard and large screen.

Projector keyboards and screens already exist. Some expansion of that technology could make it obsolete.

[sixerfan82]

While it's not far fetched to think that a more modular design of a 'PC' will be gone in a few years and will mimic the look and feel of a tablet or smart phone, the actual idea of a 'PC' won't be going away anytime soon.

For the simple fact that, all of the software and websites you visit on various devices have to be developed. I can tell you as a developer, I can't imagine what it would be like to build a website or an app on a tablet(i.e, not what you might look at and say 'that's a computer'). The screen sizes are too small for the toolsets required to build these pieces of software.

Now for everyday use, maybe another 5 years and I could see this happening for your daily routine tasks(checking your bank account, paying a credit card, etc).

[~primetime~]

Never for professional artists like myself... Can't do art on a phone.

[Bay Area Baller]

They may take my laptop but you can never take.... Our Freedom!!!!!!

https://media0.giphy.com/media/13itskOK7UNGIo/200.gif

[JEFFERSON MONEY]

Never for professional artists like myself... Can't do art on a phone.

Professional artist you say?

Do you draw and quarter others? If so ....

[hateraid]

I felt Backberry was on it's way. If only they kept up with development

[JohnnySic]

Cellphone internetting sucks. Tiny screen, tiny keys.

Even laptops are smallish for my taste. Give me my desktop.

[Dbrog]

My phone is complete shit compared to my desktop..not even remotely close to the same power inside or usability. My desktop is probably the most used thing in my entire apartment dude...

[Draz]

Maybe tablets

[sportsfan76]

its only a matter of time until cellphones can do absolutely everything a computer can do and more.

although the only thing it will never replace will be the large keyboard and large screen.


why would they be phased out? What the hell will I use to be on the internet when I am home? A phone or Ipad? Why when the laptop screen is bigger?

[sportsfan76]

Cellphones are for ladyboys

What you talking about Mongo?

[Derka]

I hardly ever game anymore on the PC that I built 4-5 years ago, so the need for a desktop PC for me is growing smaller by the week. That being said, I'm never getting rid of it because you just never know. I like what the Surface series offers but I'm still holding on to that desktop.

[sportsfan76]

why the **** would anyone want to use a Tablet or IPAD instead of a laptop if they are home in their living room?

[Nanners]

i dont think it will take that long. when i was growing up in the 90s my dad had a "car phone", basically a crappy cell phone that was built into his car. at the time a car phone was considered to be pretty cutting edge shit, in hindsight it just seems funny that such a hilariously shitty thing could even exist.

so i have seen cell phones come a long way in my lifetime and im not even that old.

http://www.escubes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2011-02-20141633.jpg

[sportsfan76]

Here's how I see it.

Laptops(and desktops) are like the new TV as in terms of home entertainment, but they're no longer the go-to portable device anymore. They're still very valuable for because of business and home entertainment.

Smartphones are becoming the new laptop as in that they're the new go-to portable/on the go device that laptops once were.

- Laptops and desktops replaced TV for home entertainment
- Smartphones and tablets replaced laptops for on the go/portable


When someone is home the laptop replaces the Phone for Internet access because the screen is bigger and you can do more

If someone is out in public or over a friend's house then the phone makes sense for internet access

[~primetime~]

I don't think some of you understand how important desktop CPUs are to white collar office jobs...you think people are just going to start working everyday on their phones/tablets?...hell no

You think programmers will just start coding on phones? Think artist will start using photoshop on the phone? not any time soon.

http://antcgi.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/SP3ReviewZBrush.png

^^^ software I use at work. Impossible to use that effectively on a phone/tablet.

[sportsfan76]

I don't think some of you understand how important desktop CPUs are to white collar office jobs...you think people are just going to start working everyday on their phones/tablets?...hell no

You think programmers will just start coding on phones? Think artist will start using photoshop on the phone? not any time soon.

http://antcgi.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/SP3ReviewZBrush.png

^^^ software I use at work. Impossible to use that effectively on a phone/tablet.

I think the OP meant for personal use at home. But he forgot that if someone needs to write a resume they can;t do it on their phone LOL

[~primetime~]

^^^my home PC is a clone of my work PC...need the two to be compatible