How will we know that Desktops are dying? What will be the signs?

[TheELF]

And besides why in Hell would I want a desktop CPU in my fridge or TV?

Because that might be the only CPU in your household or you might have a few of these devices combining into a "super computer" .

(Hey, smartphones where science fiction as well at some point)

 

[JackMDS]

And besides why in Hell would I want a desktop CPU in my fridge or TV?

On a personal level I am with you. I do not care about CPU in the Fridge.

Let me guess, you are not an avid follower of Kim, Klohe, and the like too. But 10 Millions or more are.

In other word Reality, Personal preferences, and wishful thinking are Not equal.

The main reason that CPU in appliances are Not spread is because they need to be Networked.

At the moment the only way to do so without the Users know anything about such functioning is to use Ethernet over Power line.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) Power line is not yet solid Technology to be safe to use on Tech. Ignorant consumers.

Be sure that within two to three years that this issue would be resolved the majority of the Fridges used in the USA would be new model with CPU.

I reside in NYC (sure one of the most advanced city in the world). The majority of the people have the latest iPhone, when you ask them which IOS version they use, they do not what you are asking about. Similarly the majority does not know if they use Win XP. Vista, Win 7. 8 or 10. They use whatever Win version came with their Dell, HP, etc. Desktop/Laptop.

Some of them have Win 10 Auto Upgrade Push on them and they are running in fear looking for help because they do not Understand what happened.and are afraid that there were Hacked.

If you go to the basement of Apt. Buildings in NYC this time of the year you will find numerous amount of fully functional 32" LCD/LED TV.

Why? Because the Holiday sales entice people to Upgrade to 50" or more and feel good about themselves for few hundred $$.


😎

 

[dave_the_nerd]

The signs will be obvious.

(It's basically already happening, or we wouldn't even be having this conversation.)

 

[whm1974]

The signs will be obvious.

(It's basically already happening, or we wouldn't even be having this conversation.)

We need triage, badly. Save Our Desktops(SOD)!!! I first heard the Desktop was dying about 20 years ago or so. Remember the Network Computer or the Thin Client?

 

[shortylickens]

I went from walkman straight to smartphone...basically that's the only reason I even carry a phone around with me.

I tried various portable media players over the years, including the much lauded iPod. None of impressed me. When I got The Droid I finally felt like I had something worth carrying. The phone and internet werent too bad either.

 

[whm1974]

I tried various portable media players over the years, including the much lauded iPod. None of impressed me. When I got The Droid I finally felt like I had something worth carrying. The phone and internet werent too bad either.

I tried putting music on my cheap cell phone, but playing that only drains the battery faster. In addiction I also have hearing loss so I can't wear headphone and hearing aids at the same time.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

We need triage, badly. Save Our Desktops(SOD)!!! I first heard the Desktop was dying about 20 years ago or so. Remember the Network Computer or the Thin Client?

And it has been. Laptops have been outselling desktops since like 2006, iirc. (Plus or minus a year or two.) SFF PCs are only making it "worse."

 

[whm1974]

And it has been. Laptops have been outselling desktops since like 2006, iirc. (Plus or minus a year or two.) SFF PCs are only making it "worse."

I may compromise with a mITX build such as using the SilverStone MILO-08BH case depending on my needs, but there is no way I'm giving up on desktops.

 

[cbn]

That's basically how I feel. I mean, the current state of standardized desktop PC parts, means that the PC(s) I build, are: 1) Customizable, 2) Upgradable (within limits), and 3) Repairable (if necessary).

Things like Tablets and Phones, are generally none of the above, although Google has or had a project where you could build your own phone, much like a Lego kit.

Maybe laptops should become upgradable too? (Not all of them, but maybe the desktop replacement and heavy task workstation ones)

 

[whm1974]

Maybe laptops should become upgradable too? (Not all of them, but maybe the desktop replacement and heavy task workstation ones)

And maybe bring back and update the ExpressCard?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I may compromise with a mITX build such as using the SilverStone MILO-08BH case depending on my needs, but there is no way I'm giving up on desktops.

I have an ITX rig now. As I get older and play fewer games, find myself waiting for my CPU more than my GPU, and enjoy building PCs less and less, I'm leaning heavily towards my next machine being a prebuilt midrange "gaming" USFF, like the Shuttle X1, XH110G, or something similar.

But I'm also thinking just get a docking/breakout station for my laptop and upgrading that instead.

 

[Ken g6]

And besides why in Hell would I want a desktop CPU in my fridge

Because I want a cryo-cooler without buying new hardware.

Oh, you meant as a component of my fridge? 😉 Then, no.

 

[whm1974]

Because I want a cryo-cooler without buying new hardware.

Oh, you meant as a component of my fridge? 😉 Then, no.

Am I the only one who sees the downsides of putting computers in every appliance? While the IoTs might be highly useful in some areas, I really think it should be thought out more thoroughly.

 

[Ken g6]

Am I the only one who sees the downsides of putting computers in every appliance? While the IoTs might be highly useful in some areas, I really think it should be thought out more thoroughly.

Whoosh!

Spoiler

And apparently my idea doesn't work either. 🙁

 

[HutchinsonJC]

Perhaps obvious, but computers have been shrinking. Our phones we carry around with us are more powerful than some of the first room sized computers.

The trend will continue. The exact implementations of that progress I'm sure can still leave a lot to the imagination, but I think we'll see a day that the Samsung Dex, or what I *thought* it was originally going to be, will be fairly typical. That is to say, you mount your phone into some sort of docking station at home, and instantly you've got full mouse/keyboard access and a 24"+ screen and all the increased productivity/content creation ease/power that comes with it.

The progress seems to be slowing down somewhat, but we've already gotten into those territories where verbiage like "good enough" in respect to a computer's prowess are used for most needs. Perhaps one day, the power within a phone will be "good enough" to play most video games or run other fairly demanding consumer software on larger screens.

For really heavy production or content creation, I don't think the idea of a full sized computer is going anywhere, but the amount of people who will need/want one will probably continue to go down... because "good enough"

 

[TheELF]

The trend will continue. The exact implementations of that progress I'm sure can still leave a lot to the imagination, but I think we'll see a day that the Samsung Dex, or what I *thought* it was originally going to be, will be fairly typical. That is to say, you mount your phone into some sort of docking station at home, and instantly you've got full mouse/keyboard access and a 24"+ screen and all the increased productivity/content creation ease/power that comes with it.

Eeeew,that's so old school...the future will be googly eyes er sorry I meant google glass,it will have decent enough power on it's own while you are out and about but come home and it will connect with your fridge(and other appliances) to provide you with all the CPU and GPU grunt you might need for your virtual reality/holodeck experience.

 

[cbn]

That's basically how I feel. I mean, the current state of standardized desktop PC parts, means that the PC(s) I build, are: 1) Customizable, 2) Upgradable (within limits), and 3) Repairable (if necessary).

Things like Tablets and Phones, are generally none of the above, although Google has or had a project where you could build your own phone, much like a Lego kit.

Maybe laptops should become upgradable too? (Not all of them, but maybe the desktop replacement and heavy task workstation ones)

And maybe bring back and update the ExpressCard?

I'm not too familiar with express card, but with Thunderbolt 3 (royalty free in 2018) or usb-c you could do anything with expander hubs:

In fact, I was thinking with usb-c and/or thunderbolt 3 (both of which use the same port shape) the laptop chassis could be very simplistic. (usb-c can even be used for the power adapter)

 

[Rifter]

It will "display please call 911 for me dave" on the screen

 

[slashy16]

The death of the PC is the fault of the OEMs who have sat around and invested nothing into new designs and new ways to use a PC. Microsoft has tried to push the industry forward with the Surface, Intel with their Centrino\ultrabook standards and computestick\nuc and finally Apple which has taken a PC and turned it into art. I buy a new macbook pro every three years because Apple gives me reasons to upgrade and offers a product to get excited about. The other culprit is ISP's, PC's are being held back by slow internet speeds and things like 4K and 8K streaming are out of reach by people because NA ISP's are garbage. Go look at what Dell and HP are offering on their websites, it's the same garbage they have been pushing for 10 years and now all of a sudden PC's are getting more expensive. I bought a AIO PC from Dell with a AMD CPU in 2008 for my parents and I recently added a used SSD. There is no reason to update the PC because they can't stream anything more than 1080p on their slow net anyway.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Interesting question from Larry, and it bothers me. I HAVE a notebook/laptop, but I don't NEED a notebook/laptop. We got tablets by ASUS/Verizon in our cellphone subscription, and I've set mine up to use our cable-tv subscription and access the household security cameras. But I don't like fiddling around with touch-screens and Android icons. And it's not a problem of Android so much as lack of a keyboard, screen that is too small -- several things.

The only way I feel comfortable with computers is the way I felt comfortable as far back as 1983 -- with an IBM keyboard layout.

So you have to wonder. Are desktops going the way of the steamboat after Twain wrote "LIfe on the Mississippi?"

 

[whm1974]

Interesting question from Larry, and it bothers me. I HAVE a notebook/laptop, but I don't NEED a notebook/laptop. We got tablets by ASUS/Verizon in our cellphone subscription, and I've set mine up to use our cable-tv subscription and access the household security cameras. But I don't like fiddling around with touch-screens and Android icons. And it's not a problem of Android so much as lack of a keyboard, screen that is too small -- several things.

The only way I feel comfortable with computers is the way I felt comfortable as far back as 1983 -- with an IBM keyboard layout.

So you have to wonder. Are desktops going the way of the steamboat after Twain wrote "LIfe on the Mississippi?"

I doubt desktop are going away anytime soon. In some areas desktops are well suited for such as gaming, content creation, and are more comfortable to use.

 

[Torn Mind]

Desktops are ONLY going to be looked at by those who "need" them now; they are no longer a thing every average joe and plain jane needs but rather sought out by specialists. Guys and girls who need to work or play with powerful hardware, loads of RAM, super fast storage, complete control over the display they want to use. Otherwise, those who have remained accustomed Core 2 level performance and 5400RPM hard drives will have loads of devices to choose from now, to the point it is bewildering and that many of those devices are an upgrade from what they have and where they can do things. It's not that people wouldn't benefit by having a big quad core and and SSD, but they are not looking for those things because they don't know what the hell these things are.

As an aside, I would never bother with looking at motherboard onboard audio ever again since USB DACs are just plain superior in every way.

 

[bononos]

On a personal level I am with you. I do not care about CPU in the Fridge.

Let me guess, you are not an avid follower of Kim, Klohe, and the like too. But 10 Millions or more are.
In other word Reality, Personal preferences, and wishful thinking are Not equal.
The main reason that CPU in appliances are Not spread is because they need to be Networked.

At the moment the only way to do so without the Users know anything about such functioning is to use Ethernet over Power line.
Unfortunately (or fortunately) Power line is not yet solid Technology to be safe to use on Tech. Ignorant consumers.
.............

I don't follow what you are saying about powerline tech. And the thing about not solid/safe - how so?

 

[mxnerd]

The sign will be that MS screws us again with another version of Windows that with UI that sucks even more than Win10.

 

[whm1974]

The sign will be that MS screws us again with another version of Windows that with UI that sucks even more than Win10.

Will I will just continue to use and promote Linux.