When would PCs become obsolete?

[mammadon]

If in the future, they released a smartphone that had all normal PC features, why would we need desktops, laptops or Macs? :?

If being honest, isn't it just a matter of time until a smartphone like that is released?

[Huma]

A smartphone like that would be a PC.

[Scorpio]

If in the future, they released a smartphone that had all normal PC features, why would we need desktops, laptops or Macs? :?

If being honest, isn't it just a matter of time until a smartphone like that is released?

Maybe for personal use, but not for business use.

[eMJayy]

Smartphones can't substitute for everything that PCs can do. This is especially true for desktop PCs. I can see smartphones eventually replacing many laptops used for simple personal mobile internet access, but they won't replace business laptops unless they can run the full complement of business software out there - and that's not going to happen.

All these devices are tools. And the thing about tools is that there is never a single tool that is able to do the job of every other tool in the toolbox (that's why we have the toolbox in the first place :-) ). There's also an old saying - " Jack of all trades, master of none". Just because they're adding more and more PC functionality to smartphones doesn't mean that it will ultimately be a better platform for doing serious computing than a full-sized computer. There are reasons why laptops, desktops and monitors are the sizes that they are today.

In order for a smartphone to truly compete with a PC, they'll have to change the screen technology in some way to make images appear larger without the screen needing to be as bulky as a laptop's. I think they should do away with the tiny screen altogether and develop a visor technology that will provide the user with a screen that's beamed onto the retina of the eye - in other words, a virtual screen projected into the eye from a light-weight visor worn like glasses. That would be the ideal device, because you'd be able to get a virtual screen of any size while using a device you can carry around in your pocket. The only drawback might be that they'd have to come up with new data input methods.

[snowbird]

Oh, I can see desk top computers going they way of the 'typewriter' (and the original computer which at one time filled a room)....who remembers the days when a phone was something 'attached to the wall', and in the case of offices.....sitting on a desk....take a look now, phones either sit in a belt on your hip, or in your pocket.

Yes, I agree, eventually most communication and storage devices will become smaller.....and more portable.

[CPL593H]

I would like to see someone edit music in a digital recording studio on a phone sized screen...come to think about it, I would like to see someone edit one track on a phone sized screen...

[CPL593H]

While I'm at it, can you imagine doing everyday office tasks on a phone sized device?

[deathwinger]

While I'm at it, can you imagine doing everyday office tasks on a phone sized device?

If the device projects a holographic image of the screen to whatever size you'd like and a holographic keyboard to type on and understand what keys are being pressed by some complex light techniques and finally chips with SSD capabilities in the form of CPU, GPUs and RAM performing faster than moving parts and generating absolutely no heat....then yes, I can see that happening.

Who could have thought of a cell phone in the 1970's?

[discipuli]

I'd say 30 years minimum , more likely 50 . PCs are big and bulk for a reason , your average laptop has at least 100 times the power of your average smartphone , you dont see anyone editing videos or pictures on an iphone, or anything that requires serious power.
Smartphones are good for surfing the web and doing basic things , nothing more . Personally i'd prefer a netbook to an iphone given the choice.

[snowbird]

I would like to see someone edit music in a digital recording studio on a phone sized screen...come to think about it, I would like to see someone edit one track on a phone sized screen...

IBM's first computers took up an entire floor: http://www.columbia.edu/acis/history/650.html

there were no such thing as a PC back then.....when it comes to technology, don't discount anything :lol:

[CPL593H]

deathwinger..."holographic keyboard"...And how big is this going to be?...Phone sized?...
I agree on the projection, hologram. (Maybe virtual reality glasses)...Imagine an office full of projected images...
Unless you weere using holographs you would need something to project onto, that sounds a bit like what I'm using right now...
snowbird..."IBM's first computers took up an entire floor"...All controlled by a keyboard?. (See Above)...Punch tape isn't much of a controlling device.
As for the reference to music, look at sheet music, and imagine all those little dots, and then imagine trying to read through a music score on a phone sized device.
deathwinger...Who could have thought of a cell phone in the 1970's?"...The writers of Star Treck and others before...
Having written all this I agree with all that has been said to some degree.
The limiting factor here at the moment is our own physical beings (And technology).

snowbird...Macs are both desktops and laptops, and PCs a well...(Sorry, couldn't resist that)...