I was asked if PC’s are going away during an interview last week. After a careful pause I answered “no.” PC’s are here to stay and if it seems like they’re fading away it’s because their purpose is evolving faster than technology. Like all technology, computers and how they’re used adapt.
During the early 2000’s we saw tablet sales erupt until people realized their functionality was limited. Tablet sales are now lower than they ever were because smartphones can handle tablet functions. Phone use surpassed tablets a couple years ago because of a technology overlap and redundancy.
What does a smartphone have to do with computers? My answer is everything. People realized the limitations of tablets early enough in the game to drive PC sales through the roof. Those who steered away from laptops due to the allure of a compact tablet quickly re-added a computer to their portfolio. Smaller screens on phones make PC’s even more viable.
Computers multitask much easier and are designed to deploy processor hungry jobs. I’ve tried writing this article on my tablet and it’s cumbersome. Inputting data to a spreadsheet is much easier with a keyboard and mouse. Editing anything on a portable device is nearly impossible.
Towers and some laptops are adaptable to various tasks. Most people don’t know that my company builds a substantial number of custom PC’s. I’ve customized computers for gamers, engineers, designers, recording studios, accountants and the list goes on. Each of those systems was customized to the customer’s requirements. None of those tasks could have been completed on a phone or tablet.
Even though the computer in your house may not get used as much, it still has a place and gets turned on once daily. I did some research and discovered the average user uses their phone for many things, but when it comes to really surfing the web users are more apt to firing up their computer. Think about the last time you tried to open multiple tabs or pages on your phone, you didn’t.
Strolling through the aisles of your favorite big department store would have you believe laptops and tablets are the way to go. Big box stores hate desktops because they bring in less profit per inch of shelf space than laptops or tablets. I counted three desktops compared to nine laptops the last time I shopped.
With towers you generally get what you pay for. A good quality tower built with high end components will offer many years of use. Users who spent upwards of $1,000.00 five years ago are still using the same computers today. Because the technology is somewhat current, they can still be upgraded. Expect two years from a tablet or phone.
Offline work is nearly impossible from a phone or tablet. Due to the fact that most of their usefulness comes from being online, trying to do anything without being in range of a cell tower is nearly impossible. Laptop and desktop PC’s, on the other hand, can still allow us to meet our deadline without being online.
Microsoft is releasing upgrades to its latest PC operating systems later this month. I’m not sure they would be investing a ton of time and resources if they felt PC’s were dying. It’s no secret PC sales have slumped, but I expect a resurgence in the coming months. Using your old PC to play solitaire may just keep you from having to get a new pair of reading glasses.
(Jeromy Patriquin is the President of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. located at 509 Main St. in Gardner. You can call him at (978) 919-8059 or visit www.LocalComputerWiz.com.)