Tablets will be most users' main computing device, Forrester says

[JRViejo]

Tablets will become most users' primary computing device within the next four years, Forrester Research analyst Frank Gillett believes.

Gillett yesterday published a forecast predicting 375 million tablets will sell globally in 2016. That prediction is nearly double a recent forecast by IDC, which envisioned 200 million tablets sold globally in 2016.

Computerworld Article by Matt Hamblen.

[farmerlee]

I would tend to agree, in fact my smartphone has become my main computing device. The old desktop is only fired up to play games these days.

[SirDrexl]

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I can't see myself doing it. I think tablets have their place, but I wouldn't want to use one at home instead of my desktop.

[Mrkvonic]

No chance. Maybe if you're a rich kid in the Bay area. Besides, the word tablet means you are working in the tablet mode - i.e. touch. If you so much connect a keyboard or a mouse or an external monitor, it stops being tablet, game over.

And even if 1,000 billion units are out there, it's still far less than what you have in the desktop/laptop sector.

Besides, we know how good these companies are at predicting future. They so well predicted the 2008 and 1992 before that. Right.

Finally, I want to see someone post a Youtube movie where they spend four hours writing on a tablet. Writing. Four. Hors. Not just watching 2-3 pretty pics, a movie, and maybe some other useless gimmick. I want to see someone WRITE on a tablet in the touch mode. Four hours.

Mrk

[Mrkvonic]

From the comments - which mostly point the same thing like me - here's what the author had to say:

And I too prefer multiple screens on my PC, and prefer a keyboard for input.

So his article comes as nothing more than a clickbait.
Even he does not believe in his future analysis.

Then he mentions cars - sedans and trucks - and then you know he's completely out of touch with the reality.

Right.
Mrk

[AlexC]

I find tablets a little "dumb"...
They remind me one scene from the movie "Idiocracy"

[syncmaster913n]

Originally Posted by Mrkvonic

And even if 1,000 billion units are out there, it's still far less than what you have in the desktop/laptop sector.

I would take this even further and say: even if there were more tablet units than PC units out there, that still would not mean that tables are the "main computing device".

[Ranget]

Mrkvonic i disagree there are number of method for tablet input

1- Asus Transformer
2- Laser input Keyboard " might be embedded in the tablet in future "

so you can't know but people tend to like mobile stuff more
we are talking about non geek users BTW

geeks need their Massive Cooling Fans and Massive computer cases even if they are empty inside

[syncmaster913n]

I'm not sure even for non-geek users tablets can replace PCs.

Tablets are good for some things - browsing the web and reading mostly. Things it is not good for / extremely unsuited for:

1. writing, mostly anything. Takes ages upon ages without an external keyboard (and if you connect one, then it is no longer a tablet. it's a neetbook.)

2. running any sophisticated applications.

3. developing / coding.

4. graphic design.

5. playing around with random stuff, programs and settings - basically exploration. Way too slow on a tablet.

6. gaming

7. watching movies exclusively on a 10 inch screen? no thanks.

8. elaborate multitasking.

Basically, I see tablets as merely a cellphone with a larger screen, not much more - although it can be difficult to notice that with all the bells and whistles that can be found there. I think it is a completely no-contest. tablets are simply completely different from PCs and I'd be willing to bet my left hand that they will never even come close to replacing PCs.

[Ranget]

2. running any suffisticated applications.

3. developing / coding.

4. graphic design.

Those Three won't count as a normal user

[syncmaster913n]

With developing / graphics I'd agree (although not entirely sure about graphics, as even non-geeks tend to play around with simple imaging software from what I've seen lately). With the sophisticated software though, even non-geeks might use those; sometimes you need a complicated piece of software to do a simple task.

The point I'm trying to make though is that a tablet is basically a mobile webbrowser + document viewer. In virtually all other areas, it cannot begin to compete with a PC. And even in those two areas, a PC is still much more versatile.

I think that the chances that tablets will replace PCs are just as high as for bicycles replacing cars.

[Ranget]

you have mistakes dude

in my opinion Tabs going to be main stream

First if you have a tablet that Don't mean

it can't be hooked to keyboard / Monitor / other stuff that will enable you
to watch movies on Large screen or develop software

Desktop going to stay around but you won't see anyone walking around without a Tab

[twl845]

I kind of think the PC as we know it will eventually develop into devices like an evolved iPad. There are some functions that will be left behind in pc's, but in the not so distant future I think at least non techies will lean toward an evolved iPad device for their next computer.

[syncmaster913n]

Originally Posted by Ranget

you have mistakes dude

in my opinion Tabs going to be main stream

First if you have a tablet that Don't mean

it can't be hooked to keyboard / Monitor / other stuff that will enable you
to watch movies on Large screen or develop software

Desktop going to stay around but you won't see anyone walking around without a Tab

The title of this thread is "Tablets will become the main computing device", not "Tablets will become mainstream".

I do not question that tablets are going to become mainstream.

If you hook a tablet to a keyboard/ monitor then it is no longer a tablet. A tablet with a hooked up keyboard is a limited netbook. A tablet with a hooked up monitor and keyboard is a limited PC. You can't just hook stuff up and still call it a tablet. Just like you can't take a bicycle and add an engine to spin the wheels to speed it up and make it easier on your legs and still call it a bicycle - this is now way closer to a motorcycle.

To sum it up; tablets will become mainstream. Just like cellphones have become mainstream. Did cellphones become the "main computing device" though? Nope. And tablets' chances are not higher at all imo. The reason people use tablets is because it allows for quick and easy access to their mot basic computing needs. Carrying an external keyboard to attach to the tablet would defy the purpose; you are better off just carrying a slick netbook (which would be cheaper as well).

Once again I will point out that we are discussing whether tablets will replace PCs completely as the main computing device, not whether tablets will become mainstream.

Originally Posted by twl845

I kind of think the PC as we know it will eventually develop into devices like an evolved iPad. There are some functions that will be left behind in pc's, but in the not so distant future I think at least non techies will lean toward an evolved iPad device for their next computer.

Between a PC and a tablet, we have a laptop it has already been developed. I think PCs will remain more or less the size they are now, because there is simply no need to miniaturize them that much. You still need a desk to hold the monitors, and if you have a desk then you have enough space to fit a PC with its current size. Smaller versions of PCs have been around for decades, yet hardly anyone is using them.

[Wroll]

With powerful hardware I would also bet on them.

[sukarof]

Originally Posted by SirDrexl

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I can't see myself doing it. I think tablets have their place, but I wouldn't want to use one at home instead of my desktop.

Yeah... I guess I am old fashioned too I have had two tablets (ZTE light and iPad) they are fun for a while but now days I keep the iPad by my bed side for som game or book when I cant sleep... just cant find the interest to use them

[tgell]

I am too old to start using a fondleslab. I can guarantee when you have hands that are getting old, holding and touching a tablet is the last thing you want to do.

[twl845]

Originally Posted by tgell

I am too old to start using a fondleslab. I can guarantee when you have hands that are getting old, holding and touching a tablet is the last thing you want to do.

I don't know, I have 72 year old hands and I rather enjoy running my fingers across the screen. What else is there?

[tgell]

Originally Posted by twl845

I don't know, I have 72 year old hands and I rather enjoy running my fingers across the screen. What else is there?

LOL!

I have this tablet Asus Eee Slate B121 just for when I am traveling and for reading Books and other Periodicals that I subscribe too.