Does anyone think the desktops we have now might be the last we have?

[Bubbleawsome]

Maybe I'm odd, but I plan my next build to be EATX. I'm going bigger and better. PCI-SSDs, 4-way GPUs, etc. Problem is cost.

Realistically I'm going ATX because longer graphics cards and water cooling has to be at least 280mm.

I had mATX for 3 years. Couldn't even fit a 7870 in it. I know enthusiast matx cases have room for that but I'd have at least 2 drives, hopefully two GPUs, and USB 3.0/3.1 slots because I run out easy. I already have two hubs that add a total of 8 USB 2.0 ports.

I have 4 unused pci slots, though to be fair one is PCI, and the other two are x1 or x4. The last unused one is pci-e 2.0 and will not SLI and I'm too poor to buy another 280x and a new PSU.

 

[Cerb]

I'm using a mATX case that fit any 2 2-slot GPUs, 4+ HDDs, 1+ SSDs (1 dedicated mount, but several other good spots), and still has room left over for a couple radiators and a bay reservoir (or ODDs) (of which, I will likely install a front rad, at some point).

You do have to be careful in your selections, with midrange or better gaming parts, but there are some good cases out there.

 

[HeXen]

I got sick of building and setting up my own stuff now that modern PC's pretty much contain all I want anyway for not much more considering the time it saves me.

So went back to the age ol simplicity of buying OEM, got this one and am very pleased with it. Plays AC: Unity maxed out like butter and barely larger than my PS4.

So this to me, is the future. Small, console like PC's that you can either stream to other devices or play on big screen with no hassle.

 

[rockfella79]

I plan to upgrade after 10 years this time. Lets see how it goes.

 

[James999]

I plan to upgrade after 10 years this time. Lets see how it goes.

Same. Hoping for 8-10yrs off this build. I made it almost 6 yrs with my last one, but its just not cutting it anymore.

 

[KentState]

I'm going laptop and consoles from here on out. "Work" on a pc for me means working on something remote so having a desktop provides no benefit.

 

[videogames101]

Remember, for every POS tablet sold there's a sever somewhere that Intel is making 90% margins on. The performance requirements for the enterprise space will continue to drive improvements for the desktop space, fortunately for us enthusiasts.

 

[mnewsham]

I plan on keeping this build until at least Broadwell-E in 2016. Then I might drop the money for a system that I will keep around for awhile, I doubt even that will be my last build, but that build will probably last me longer than anything I have had previously.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

I got sick of building and setting up my own stuff now that modern PC's pretty much contain all I want anyway for not much more considering the time it saves me.

So went back to the age ol simplicity of buying OEM, got this one and am very pleased with it. Plays AC: Unity maxed out like butter and barely larger than my PS4.

So this to me, is the future. Small, console like PC's that you can either stream to other devices or play on big screen with no hassle.

I think prebuilt systems starting to be like like this is awesome for the end user in aesthetics, size, and ease of use. I just know I'd be frustrated personally with not being able to really upgrade the thing.

 

[ronbo613]

No way could I do my work on a tablet or even a laptop. If you need screen space and storage to get the job done, you are going to need some kind of desktop computer.

For most people, a tablet will probably be fine, not a power user.

 

[escrow4]

AC: Unity maxed out? I seriously doubt that, that size would be a mobile GPU . . . . .

 

[SKORPI0]

It's gonna be a while until I'll completely stop assembling a new PC. I don't see how a laptop/tablet would be able to do what a desktop can do besides it's smaller size/form factor. They can't even approach the needed performance/number crunching/intense graphics rendering to that a desktop does.

Let me know when you can get graphics cards that can match your laptop off the shelf and be able upgrade that. Most of the time CPUs are now soldered on the mobo. And in some cases getting to the HDD and memory will necessitate the removal of the laptop keyboard and dealing with the fragile ribbon cables, etc. Not simple task to do for most folks and those unfamiliar.

I'll still have a tablet, laptop and desktop for different their intended uses.

 

[KentState]

No way could I do my work on a tablet or even a laptop. If you need screen space and storage to get the job done, you are going to need some kind of desktop computer.

For most people, a tablet will probably be fine, not a power user.

The work I do no longer is acceptable on any type of desktop no matter how many cores and ram you through into it. The number of "power" desktop users will get pinched to a few small minority.

 

[mfenn]

The work I do no longer is acceptable on any type of desktop no matter how many cores and ram you through into it. The number of "power" desktop users will get pinched to a few small minority.

When you're talking about productivity work, there is an advantage to having a couple monitors and a nice full-sized keyboard. I wouldn't want to code on a laptop for a long period of time, and there is a limit to the number of terminal windows I can comfortably put on a typical laptop display. Sure, you can hook the laptop up to a docking station, but at that point it's pretty much a desktop, especially when your data is not local anyway.

 

[corkyg]

For my use, laptops or tablets are for travel. At home I have never had a PC on the desk, but am right now planning on a new "Floor-top." I echo mfenn's comments.

 

[bigboxes]

I got sick of building and setting up my own stuff now that modern PC's pretty much contain all I want anyway for not much more considering the time it saves me.

So went back to the age ol simplicity of buying OEM, got this one and am very pleased with it. Plays AC: Unity maxed out like butter and barely larger than my PS4.

So this to me, is the future. Small, console like PC's that you can either stream to other devices or play on big screen with no hassle.

That would suck. For the masses turning PCs into appliances makes sense. To power users it means an end to upgrading, repair and expansion. That's pretty much a laptop in a toaster sized box. Fine for grandma, but if I want to fix, upgrade or add on it would suck. Give me a decent sized case that allows room to work on, provide adequate cooling and room for expansion. I don't care if it's 2015. Provide me with faster processors, larger storage and quicker memory. I can't wait for the next thing. Just pray that appliance computers are not it.

 

[Red Squirrel]

That would suck. For the masses turning PCs into appliances makes sense. To power users it means an end to upgrading, repair and expansion. That's pretty much a laptop in a toaster sized box. Fine for grandma, but if I want to fix, upgrade or add on it would suck. Give me a decent sized case that allows room to work on, provide adequate cooling and room for expansion. I don't care if it's 2015. Provide me with faster processors, larger storage and quicker memory. I can't wait for the next thing. Just pray that appliance computers are not it.

Yeah I think they have their use, such as a corporate VDI environment, but I'd hate to see the customization ability go away. Problem I have with anything that is an all in one non-modular system is that they will have a basic one with super crappy specs, then charge you an arm and a leg for better specs. They already do that with tablets and phones. They'll have the "16GB edition" and "32GB edition" and the 32 will be like double the price, when in reality the flash does not cost even close to that. Heck, OEMs do it with regular computers already. They still come with a basic spindle drive. SSD is extra, or having a better video card is extra. Servers are even worse for that. Dell still sells servers with like 1GB of ram and single hard drive then anything else is extra. Seriously? They should start at 32GB and at least 2 1TB hard drives with raid controller, THEN anything more is extra.

 

[HeXen]

That would suck. For the masses turning PCs into appliances makes sense. To power users it means an end to upgrading, repair and expansion. That's pretty much a laptop in a toaster sized box. Fine for grandma, but if I want to fix, upgrade or add on it would suck. Give me a decent sized case that allows room to work on, provide adequate cooling and room for expansion. I don't care if it's 2015. Provide me with faster processors, larger storage and quicker memory. I can't wait for the next thing. Just pray that appliance computers are not it.

Dude I just game on the damn thing. I didn't have any issues putting in an SSD and 970gtx. I have pics of it taken apart, it's really easy. Your options to build a giant server farm isn't going anywhere.
I'm a gamer, I turn it on, it boots to Steam...happy, happy. When I can't play the latest games,.I'll buy a new one, Gaming is a cheap hobby.

 

[Phaetos]

Gaming is a cheap hobby.

I wish my wallet and I could agree with that. It is definitely not a cheap hobby, unless you make enough to just throw cash at it whenever you feel like.