Is a Post-PC Era Feasible?

HP Resurrect TouchPad to pacify rabid customers

To replace computers tablets need:

1. A supplementary flexible screen that can be easily attached.

2. A supplementary flexible full size keyboard. (already common and inexpensive.)

3. A fast enough processor to handle all the required tasks, running the requisite operating system flawlessly.

The tablet can function without the accessory screen and keyboard, but will not replace laptops without it, unless it can fit into a docking system or the equivalent.

The PC does a hundred different things for a hundred different people and will never be replaced by one new piece of equipment. I play games on mine. It has a video card in it that with its heat sink and various fans, out weighs the smaller tablets all by itself. I am currently using a 26" screen but would like to update to a 3 screen system as soon as the buget allows. The two side screens provide perifriel vison so I can move my head instead of the "camera" to see what is trying to out flank me. This provides a much more immersive environment for gaming. The sound system involves 5 speakers right now including the big subwoofer under my desk that can rattle the windows if I let it. I need to know if the orcs are sneeking up on my right or my left after all.

This system is not going to be replaced by a tablet anytime soon.

P.S. Oh it also runs a fine spreadsheet, writes letters provides a steady stream of LOLcats and handles my emails just fine.

I would guess that you are in the top 1% of power users. That is partially because of people like me who settle for the 80/20 price to power and quality ratio. We buy the latest power system, that we can afford, and also have the latest gaming consoles we can afford.

I hope that there are plenty of you that continue to invest in your systems. I used to spend thousands on hardware and software. You are the vanguard of the future progress of computing, but you are the exception, rather than the rule.

The vast majority of the market will go toward the 80% of buyers who do not demand, and cannot afford the best systems. If tablets can, with accessories, meet 80% of the needs and wants of customers, they may even replace laptops eventually.

Worldwide, cell phones are becoming the most commonly used "computers." Third World populaces depend on them because of their low cost and portability. Young people, even in America, are said to prefer them for many uses. They are even capable of adding accessory screens, speakers, etc. , possibly even making tablets passe. They would also need to have the requisite accessories: flexible roll up screen, flexible keyboard, speakers etc.

We have all seen the miniaturization progress of processors and memory. I find it hard to believe that this will not continue. Flexible screens will soon become available (my guess). Graphics cards for laptops are getting faster in conjunction with their processors. An accessory liquid cooler or heat sink could eventually solve the overheating, or the graphics card could be separate?

All the best,

Ron

For myself there is an almost endless supply of old hardware , that meet my needs

I can see where a 2 screen fold up tablet could replace a laptop

a smart phone is never going to be of much use to me, screen's too small

The Wall Street Journal just ran an article saying that tablets are cutting into PC sales.

Smaller, lighter laptops are bridging the gaps between tablets, netbooks and laptops.

Intel, Nvidia, and other processor companies are working intensively on multiple core processors for tablets and other small devices.

e-ink is coming out, very soon, with color rendition. It will enable much longer battery life as on e-readers, and with small, light batteries.

Amazon is coming out with a color e-ink based Kindle with a web browser. Possibly Chrome.

Meanwhile, I love my 17inch desktop replacement laptop but have a tablet, a Kindle, a netbook and a cheap Android phone. The laptop gets 95% of the use and I can't see it being replaced except with another 17 inch or larger one.

The younger generation seems to live on their phones. Cell phone screens are getting larger, and that will be a market, especially as 4G kicks in, and processors become more powerful. Batteries are a big factor, so I am wondering if e-ink might be usable on cellphones. e-ink screens are very inexpensive and, as I mentioned, will now be available in color.