The other day I was reading some statistics about the plummeting sales numbers for the personal computer or PC sales. We all rather saw this coming, I should say. There was no question about the PCs continuing to maintain or ever reclaim their old position of dominance when it comes to sales.
Did the release of Windows 8 have a major impact?
With the release of the multiple Windows 8 versions that seem to work seamlessly across multiple platforms, it is rather clear that the future of the computing devices lie in the portable realm rather than the traditional desktop PCs. The introduction of the tablet computers rather sealed the fate of the desktop PCs, I should say.
Do not get me wrong. I do not yet think that the desktop PCs are going to disappear like the dinosaurs. On the contrary, their use within the next couple of decades would become very limited indeed. Why would a college student, a business professional, or even a homemaker buy a desktop PC, when they could get a tablet computer that gives the same performance? Not to mention the added advantage of portability.
If you look at the different Windows 8 versions, that was released recently, the Windows 8 RT stands out as the one product on which Microsoft made the maximum investment. I personally think that Microsoft decided to take the bold step of designing and manufacturing the Windows RT Surface tablet because they saw it as a game changer.
Perhaps it is with this notion in mind that many laptop manufacturers these days offer the two-in-one products. They are a sort of hybrid products that can be used as a laptop as well as a tablet. I am sure you have seen the ads already. The monitors of these laptops can be very easily detached and used as a tablet.
Some skeptics do point out that they said the same thing when the laptops were first launched – that they would soon make the desktop PCs obsolete. They seem to suggest that the desktop PCs have their own uses and would continue to be a part of the product line up for different computer manufacturers.
Sure, the desktop PCs might continue to hold on for their dear life. However, it is pretty clear to me that desktop PCs are slowly becoming irrelevant in the world of iPads and phablets.
