Originally Posted by
Kirk Schnable
I can't say I agree with that at all. While I will agree that the desktop has an uncertain future (as I type this on my ThinkPad), I don't think the "desktop computing" standard can ever go away.
Yes, there are a number of people (my Grandma for instance) who only use their computers to check email, go on Facebook, and play games. My Grandma has not really used her desktop much since she got her iPad. She makes statements like yours, asking me why anyone would ever want a desktop, and if I think my laptop is on the way out.
My ThinkPad is the most powerful computer I own now, with an i7 and 8GB of RAM. I still periodically use my desktop, but I find my most frequent preference is to use my ThinkPad on a desk with an extra monitor.
I am an iPad owner, but I find that I either can't or don't want to use my tablet for everything I do. There are things my tablet does very well, and I use it daily for extended periods of time. However, it still is nowhere near the point of replacing my laptop.
As an advanced user, my tablet can't provide the kind of interfaces I want to have with my servers, such as NX, and support for protocols I frequently use to access my files such as NFS and SFTP is either non-existent or very clunky. I will admit, these complaints will not be mainstream reasons to keep desktop computing around. I am hopeful that future advancements in tablet applications and operating systems will overcome these problems.
Nevertheless, as a student, I would never dream of typing a research paper on a tablet. I much prefer my desktop for papers, where I can have my 3 monitors. In a pinch, I can use my laptop with dual screens. In a serious pinch, I'll use my laptop and 2 windows side by side. But switching between a browser and a word processor on a tablet, and using a sketchy touchscreen keyboard to type an 8-10 page paper? Forget it. Even with the Bluetooth keyboard I have for my tablet, there's no way I'd do that willingly.
To clarify, I believe tablets are very inferior to desktops and laptops for multitasking of any kind other than "listening to music while _____". To say that only developers would want desktop style operating systems in the future seems inaccurate... I would say only people who need to multitask or look at several pieces of information at the same time will always need something better than a tablet, unless major improvements are made to tablet operating systems and GUIs in the coming years.
A segment of people who I believe will continue using traditional computers for years to come: Students, Webmasters, Graphics Designers, CAD Designers, Software Developers, Authors\Journalists, Teachers\Professors, and anyone else who creates any content.
Tablets are great for consuming content, but not so good at creating it. Anyone who creates content (not just developers) will still use traditional operating systems for a long time to come.
Just my two cents.