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| From Altair to iPad: 35 years of personal computer market share |
| By Thom Holwerda on 2012-08-14 12:13:27 |
| "Back in 2005, we charted 30 years of personal computer market share to show graphically how the industry had developed, who succeeded and when, and how some iconic names eventually faded away completely. With the rise of whole new classes of 'personal computers' - tablets and smartphones - it's worth updating all the numbers once more. And when we do so, we see something surprising: the adoption rates for our beloved mobile devices absolutely blow away the last few decades of desktop computer growth. People are adopting new technology faster than ever before." BeOS not mentioned. Would not read again. 2/10. |
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| RE[3]: Smart phones are personal computers now? |
| By tidux on 2012-08-14 19:29:23 |
| If anything, I think tablets and smartphones eat a bit into each other's markets, as well as spelling the end of netbooks. Real laptops with screens more than 600 pixels high will continue to do well. |
 - Score: 2 |
| RE: Smart phones are personal computers now? |
| By Bobthearch on 2012-08-14 19:36:35 |
| You couldn't write an essay on that Altair either. ;) |
| - Score: 2 |
| RE[3]: Smart phones are personal computers now? |
| By KLU9 on 2012-08-14 22:23:00 |
|
The reason why people still use desktops & laptops is mainly because of limits in input & output technologies (e.g. screens & keyboards). With big companies hiring smart people and betting the farm on new / alternative input & output technologies (the tip of the iceberg being things like Siri & Project Glass), is it so inconceivable that one day people won't need the big glass rectangles and collection of plastic squares with letters on them that are the main reason they stick with desktops & laptops? Once the input & output options advance enough (e.g. perfect voice control & picoprojectors or HUDs), people won't need to bother with desktops & laptops 95% of the time. And once that critical mass, is reached, solutions will probably be found for that other 5% of the time too. |
| - Score: 4 |
| Costs |
| By Earl C Pottinger on 2012-08-14 22:47:52 |
|
One thing about comparing early computers to smartphones and tablets is their relative costs. If you adjust for inflation the new comers are very cheap as a percentage of a person`s income. My 8K PET 2001 costed over $1200 when I got it. 1980? My Amiga 1000 with memory expansion (total 1 Meg) was about $2000 I believe in 1985. My Dual-CPU BeOS machine (a PC-Clone) set me back $1200 when BeOS came out for Intel. What will a smart-phone or tablet set me back today? $400-700 in inflated dollars. Ofcourse a lot more people buy them! |
| - Score: 1 |
| RE[4]: Smart phones are personal computers now? |
| By Sodki on 2012-08-14 22:53:03 |
|
> The reason why people still use desktops & laptops is mainly because of limits in input & output technologies (e.g. screens & keyboards). I think you're right. For example, the use case for Ubuntu for Android is interesting. You put your phone on a docking station and you *have* your computer with you. But you still need the screen and keyboard. Only the "processing box" changes. |
| - Score: 2 |
| RE[2]: Comment by Treza |
| By Treza on 2012-08-14 23:17:56 |
|
Okay, granted, analog computers predates digital ones ! At first, I was pissed by the juxstaposition of the Altair, which was for geeks and specialists and the iPad, for the masses. This history also completely misses a very important type of electronic device: The programmable Calculator ! (HP, Texas, Sharp, Casio...). For example the HP-65 is contemporaneous to the Altair. Edited 2012-08-14 23:19 UTC |
| - Score: 2 |
| Can we have historical review by OS News please? |
| By mantrik00 on 2012-08-15 01:44:30 |
| OS News being about OS which is the core of any personal Computer. Therefore, it would be great if OS News does a comprehensive historical review from the perspective of different versions of OS that have played an important role in the history of personal computers. |
| - Score: 2 |
| RE[3]: Smart phones are personal computers now? |
| By franksands on 2012-08-15 02:46:19 |
|
My sister in law was completely happy with her MacBook, until she bought an iPad. Now she almost never touches the laptop and does even work related tasks on the iPad. I, myself, have been avoiding my laptop when possible just on the thought of having to turn it on and wait for it to boot and what not. Edited 2012-08-15 02:46 UTC |
| - Score: 2 |
| Comment by BBAP |
| By Bringbackanonposting on 2012-08-15 03:07:44 |
|
I believe the future of desktop/laptop computing lies in display devices. The power and miniturisation will make them be able to integrated easy. Traditional flat panels, video walls, projection systems, holographic displays together with wireless technologies will ensure the home PC survives (the size of a match box or smaller maybe). Personally I'm bringing my household back to the days of centralised computing. I have a basement server that runs the lounge TV (DVB-T and Media files, apps etc). VNC/RDP for tablets and other devices with input devices (keyb/mouse/touch). They are all terminals to me. All running the same OS and apps. |
| - Score: 2 |
| RE: Comment by Treza |
| By tingo on 2012-08-15 08:33:55 |
| Interesting - I didn't know about the Micral. Thanks! |
| - Score: 1 |
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