Will tablets ever replace computers?

[Phoenix84]

With all the talk about Windows 10 and how it "bridges the gap" between computers and tablets, I have found myself wondering, will tablets and smartphones completely replace the good old desktop PC or traditional laptop? Or will they remain as a alternative?

As a broader question, what do you see as the future of computers?

[Phoenix84]

To me, it's hard to imagine tablets replacing computers. To me, a tablet is a toy, something you use to surf the internet, read an e-book, or watch a movie. It's not something designed to do actual work. I'm far more comfortable typing on a keyboard than on a touch screen, but that may be more a matter of input preferences.

I could see a future where perhaps all computers are tablets, but there are docking stations where you can plug your tablet into various input devices, like monitors, keyboards, TV's ect. I think people will always like using mice and keyboards for work, as well as bigger screens.

[Deleted]

I use a Bluetooth keyboard with my tablet.

[Deleted]

You can all stream to your TV through your iOS, so if you need a bigger screen...

[Deleted]

Who needs a mouse with a touch screen? 

[Lizard Queen]

I use my tablet all of the time. In fact, I'm using it now.  But, it's a pita to do any real work on it.  As for Excel, I think I tried it once.  I couldn't do anything.  I'm sure there are steps I could take to make it work, but why?

[Phoenix84]

Jul 29, 2015 19:51:20 GMT -5 oped said:

Who needs a mouse with a touch screen? 

The play real computer games with? What about use excel?

[Deleted]

You can't put your finger in the square? 

Yes, real gaming will be PC. And other game systems. But most people don't work on their gaming PC anyway do they? 

[Tiny]

I think we're going the William Gibson Neuromancer route... we'll be plugging "sticks" into ports that connect to hardware implanted in our heads.


I think the traditional desktop PC is a thing of the past... even at work that "PCs" we use are pretty small. Mostly just need a screen and input device (a keyboard for those of us that can type and a mouse or a touch screen).

I think in a few more years - no one (even me!) will have a "PC" at home. TVs, and Fridges and dishwashers and coffee makers will all "talk" via a wireless connection - you'll use your phone (or your watch) to do stuff.

I suspect if you do have a home office (or you are geeky or play some sort of geeky game) you'll have a screen and a keyboard or some sort of control device and some sort of memory/processor dedicated to your interests.    I suspect if you don't use Excel/word outside of work  OR you don't play some sort of "game" that requires a special setup you don't really need a keyboard/monitor at home to do 'computer stuff'.  

[Phoenix84]

Jul 29, 2015 20:13:58 GMT -5 Tiny said:

I think we're going the William Gibson Neuromancer route... we'll be plugging "sticks" into ports that connect to hardware implanted in our heads.


I think the traditional desktop PC is a thing of the past... even at work that "PCs" we use are pretty small. Mostly just need a screen and input device (a keyboard for those of us that can type and a mouse or a touch screen).

I think in a few more years - no one (even me!) will have a "PC" at home. TVs, and Fridges and dishwashers and coffee makers will all "talk" via a wireless connection - you'll use your phone (or your watch) to do stuff.

I suspect if you do have a home office (or you are geeky or play some sort of geeky game) you'll have a screen and a keyboard dedicated to your interests. I suspect if you don't use Excel/word outside of work you don't really need a keyboard/monitor to make it easier to use.

Would you get computer interfaces put into your body?

[Tiny]

Jul 29, 2015 20:15:55 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

Jul 29, 2015 20:13:58 GMT -5 Tiny said:

I think we're going the William Gibson Neuromancer route... we'll be plugging "sticks" into ports that connect to hardware implanted in our heads.


I think the traditional desktop PC is a thing of the past... even at work that "PCs" we use are pretty small. Mostly just need a screen and input device (a keyboard for those of us that can type and a mouse or a touch screen).

I think in a few more years - no one (even me!) will have a "PC" at home. TVs, and Fridges and dishwashers and coffee makers will all "talk" via a wireless connection - you'll use your phone (or your watch) to do stuff.

I suspect if you do have a home office (or you are geeky or play some sort of geeky game) you'll have a screen and a keyboard dedicated to your interests. I suspect if you don't use Excel/word outside of work you don't really need a keyboard/monitor to make it easier to use.

Would you get computer interfaces put into your body?

Depends on what they'd do.  Some days... I'm tempted.  I'd love to hear in stereo again (and not have an never ending buzz in one ear).      Don't want to have to do what Molly Millions did to do it though.

[Phoenix84]

I think Tiny may be right. I think eventually, all your devices in your life may be controlled by one device, like a phone or tablet, and you can "steam" whatever you want wherever you want. Like if you want to play a game, you stream it from your tablet to your monitor or keyboard. You could also use your tablet to unlock and start your car, start the dishwasher, turn on the lights, set your oven....

[beergut]

I prefer a laptop to a tablet, just like having my keyboard attached, and like the greater memory capability.

I don't think I could ever get completely accustomed to a total touch screen computer. 


I can see a future where desktops become like mainframes, necessary for certain functions that require a certain amount of computing power. 

[taz157]

Jul 29, 2015 19:52:47 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

I use my tablet all of the time. In fact, I'm using it now.  But, it's a pita to do any real work on it.  As for Excel, I think I tried it once.  I couldn't do anything.  I'm sure there are steps I could take to make it work, but why?

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

I love my iPad for simple things, but any decent amount of typing or viewing, I go right to the Mac desktop.  So, I wouldn't go to tablet use only.  

But, I'm old school.  So, what do I know?

[NoNamePerson]

Jul 29, 2015 21:03:06 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

I love my iPad for simple things, but any decent amount of typing or viewing, I go right to the Mac desktop.  So, I wouldn't go to tablet use only.  

But, I'm old school.  So, what do I know?

Same here. I basically use my iPad when I'm watching TV and want to check this board, FB. But it has cut into my reading time since I used to read books while watching TV. I still like the feel of a book in my hand so no need to suggest reading on tablet.

But I have learned that I basically appear to be "drunk posting" when on iPad - that's my story and I'm sticking to it.     

[teen persuasion]

I love my kindle fire, I use it all the time to read threads on here, read email, read ebooks, look at Pinterest.  But it is a PITA for typing.  I much prefer a PC for doing actual work.  My 40 something eyes also prefer the larger screen of a PC, especially for images like on Pinterest.  In many ways the Pinterest app is more intuitive than the PC version (or rather, the previous version of the app was), but often when I see a pin a second time on the larger screen I can't believe how much I missed looking at a small version.  So what I want is a bigger screen, with a real keyboard, that I can use wherever (especially on the couch).  Sounds like a laptop, but I also want small to fit in my bag.  I guess I'm saying that each device version serves a niche purpose, the lines will blur based on size/power/usability, but some version of each will continue to exist.

There was some SciFi series I watched years ago that had something called "globals".  They strapped them to their forearm, used them like a cellphone, but could expand the screen when needed (pulled sides apart like a scroll).  I can't remember quite how they handled input, maybe voice activated, and there was some touch manipulation, perhaps up in the air of a projection of the screen image.  In many respects they foreshadowed our current devices and capabilities very well.  For the life of me I can't remember the name of the show.

[cronewitch]

I am too old to deal with stuff I don't need or understand and need to invest hundreds to see if I like it. I have a desk top with a huge monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer and a laptop in a bag in the trunk of my car. I only use the laptop for camping in the camper in a campground with wifi or to take to ISOs house to show him something he doesn't have internet.
His uncle died yesterday so I need to drive him to Portland, housesit a few days then get him and have a BBQ at his house, I will take the laptop in case I want to go to McDonalds.
I don't have a smart phone, tablet, ipad or any other of that stuff so getting it would mean paying a lot of money and having to learn stuff. If I had a kid I would buy them a ipad because kids like them but I don't see a need for one. I don't know much about Chrome book, do you need to hook to wifi so it is like a laptop? Then why have another devise?

[Opti]

Jul 29, 2015 19:44:48 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

With all the talk about Windows 10 and how it "bridges the gap" between computers and tablets, I have found myself wondering, will tablets and smartphones completely replace the good old desktop PC or traditional laptop? Or will they remain as a alternative?

As a broader question, what do you see as the future of computers?

Sheesh so Windows 10 bridges a gap between computers(traditional PCs) and tablets? Oy.

I don't know what the future holds. Consumers and companies are capricious. Sci Fi writers have been exploring this issue for years and there is no consensus. I think tablets are great as a secondary stripped down computer that is portable, but I don't see desktop computers disappearing any more than mainframes have disappeared. In other words, both will remain. Who has what, how many ... IDK.

Stay tuned and see what happens.

[NoNamePerson]

Jul 29, 2015 22:41:26 GMT -5 cronewitch said:

I am too old to deal with stuff I don't need or understand and need to invest hundreds to see if I like it. I have a desk top with a huge monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer and a laptop in a bag in the trunk of my car. I only use the laptop for camping in the camper in a campground with wifi or to take to ISOs house to show him something he doesn't have internet.
His uncle died yesterday so I need to drive him to Portland, housesit a few days then get him and have a BBQ at his house, I will take the laptop in case I want to go to McDonalds.
I don't have a smart phone, tablet, ipad or any other of that stuff so getting it would mean paying a lot of money and having to learn stuff. If I had a kid I would buy them a ipad because kids like them but I don't see a need for one. I don't know much about Chrome book, do you need to hook to wifi so it is like a laptop? Then why have another devise?

I have an iPad because it was given to me for Christmas and I'll admit that I do love learning new stuff. But it will never replace my desktop and it also means I don't have to have/buy a laptop to carry around when I travel (used my son's extra LT) So I think it evens out one way or the other.

[The Captain]

I use my tablet for commuting and about 80% of what I need it to do.

It cannot handle some of my spreadsheets or most of my graphic programs, for those I'm using my laptop.

I have one drawing program I'm considering getting.  My laptop will not be able to handle it.  I could get a more expensive one (current one is 3.5 years old) or I could get a much more powerful desktop that will likely last a few more years than a laptop in terms of processing capacity.

So for most peeps I think a good tablet will meet most of their needs.  For heavy gamers, graphic design/art program users, and heavy numbers crunching there will always be those who want just a bit more power.

Software designers have always pushed the limits of current technology.  This has been the case since back when processors were 8086's.  No matter how fast, or how much data capacity, current processors possess, there is always a program out a few months later that pushes it to the limits.

[teen persuasion]

Jul 30, 2015 0:00:18 GMT -5 Opti said:

Jul 29, 2015 19:44:48 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

With all the talk about Windows 10 and how it "bridges the gap" between computers and tablets, I have found myself wondering, will tablets and smartphones completely replace the good old desktop PC or traditional laptop? Or will they remain as a alternative?

As a broader question, what do you see as the future of computers?

Sheesh so Windows 10 bridges a gap between computers(traditional PCs) and tablets? Oy.

I don't know what the future holds. Consumers and companies are capricious. Sci Fi writers have been exploring this issue for years and there is no consensus. I think tablets are great as a secondary stripped down computer that is portable, but I don't see desktop computers disappearing any more than mainframes have disappeared. In other words, both will remain. Who has what, how many ... IDK.

Stay tuned and see what happens.

Yeah, now this is not something I've heard.  I thought Windows 10 was to replace the hated Windows 8, return to something more like 7 that most are comfortable with.  Windows 8 was definitely designed for touch screen devices, but it's really stupid for non-touch monitors, and too much of a change in use for most PC users (in one step).  They learned their lesson, and brought back what works for the majority.  Of course, beyond the user interface, some things will work differently.  We've been warned at work to wait before upgrading to 10.  Our system is not compatible at this point, and our last upgrade was just this month, next is not scheduled until spring 2016.  Also concerns about peripherals' device drivers not being compatible.  And to wait for the inevitable glitches and bugs to shake out first.  We have a year.

[hoops902]

Jul 29, 2015 20:09:20 GMT -5 oped said:

You can't put your finger in the square? 

Yes, real gaming will be PC. And other game systems. But most people don't work on their gaming PC anyway do they? 

For actually being at work though I don't want my monitor so close to me that I can touch it. It's also relatively difficult at current time to get a finger exactly between 2 characters if the font is small...easy with a mouse. A mouse also has multiple functions built into the buttons. I would expect that as with all things, the technology will continue getting better. I do not think a touch screen is all that useful though in office functions. Sometimes you just can't be that close to the screen...or don't want to be. The answer is probably something we haven't even considered to this point.

[Deleted]

Ok. I'll be honest. I still go to my laptop for excel. Do we all feel better now?

[busymom]

iPads are now standard equipment for students in our school district, but frankly, I think they are a major PITA. Many times that thing has stalled out on us, & DS has ended up doing his homework on our home computer.

And, for those of us who are too frugal to use a smartphone,  I think there are a number of us who are content using their home computer.

[movingforward]

Jul 29, 2015 19:47:15 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

To me, it's hard to imagine tablets replacing computers. To me, a tablet is a toy, something you use to surf the internet, read an e-book, or watch a movie. It's not something designed to do actual work. I'm far more comfortable typing on a keyboard than on a touch screen, but that may be more a matter of input preferences.

I could see a future where perhaps all computers are tablets, but there are docking stations where you can plug your tablet into various input devices, like monitors, keyboards, TV's ect. I think people will always like using mice and keyboards for work, as well as bigger screens.

This what most of my office does right now.  All of the department directors have a Surface 3 and we just dock it into our workstation.  I love it because it is also easy to take home or travel with and use as a tablet.  I don't have any speculations about what will happen 30 yrs from now but this where I see things going in the near future.

[Deleted]

Jul 30, 2015 9:25:42 GMT -5 busymom said:

iPads are now standard equipment for students in our school district, but frankly, I think they are a major PITA. Many times that thing has stalled out on us, & DS has ended up doing his homework on our home computer.

And, for those of us who are too frugal to use a smartphone,  I think there are a number of us who are content using their home computer.

And that's fine. But there are limitations. And going forward there will be more.

The other day while another mom and I waited for the girls to get out of a class, I used my phone like 4 times, to look up a program, to investigate an upcoming cultural event and post it on meetup, something else... and the other mom was like. Oh, ok. ... Seriously, if I had to wait till I got home to do everything, most of it would never get done... (and only half because I would never remember it later, lol...)

[Tennesseer]

Each have their place and usage.  I use the tablet for fun but the all-in-one desktop for Excel and Word work and such.

[souldoubt]

Jul 29, 2015 20:13:58 GMT -5 Tiny said:

I think the traditional desktop PC is a thing of the past... even at work that "PCs" we use are pretty small. Mostly just need a screen and input device (a keyboard for those of us that can type and a mouse or a touch screen).

I think it depends on what you do or the industry you're in.  I work in the finance industry and tablets just don't cut it for what we do with the exception being checking and responding to emails and most people use their phones for that when they're out of office.  We work with huge amounts of data, have programmers, work with spreadsheets and the list goes on.  As leaping lizard pointed out there's no way I can use excel on a tablet but part of that is probably due to me being familiar and comfortable with it on a desktop/laptop.  That's not to say that younger generations won't become more accustomed to doing some of this on tablets but we hire kids straight out of college and none of them seem to care that they use a desktop.  Currently we have tablets for people to use when they travel but no one is walking around the office using a tablet.  As older generations retire and technology changes who knows what the workplace will look like in 10, 20 or 30 years.  Personally I'm not getting anything installed or inserted that's just creepy and 1984'ish.       

[cktc]

Jul 29, 2015 19:51:20 GMT -5 oped said:

Who needs a mouse with a touch screen? 

Me. I have dainty delicate hands, yet every time I try to move the cursor to correct a typo I want to go hulk smash on the damn thing hopping all over to every word but the one I actually want to change.

Also finger prints all over the screen are annoying.