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With the popularity swell of tablets in 2011, consumers appear to be trending toward mobile web browsing more and more. This begs the question of whether PC makers can continue with the status quo, or is it time to rethink the entire computer industry by moving away from desktop tradition and into a lighter, cheaper future.
Research analysts are cutting their PC sales growth forecast for 2011. Gartner cut their prediction of annual growth from 15.9 percent at the beginning of this year, all the way down to 3.8 percent this past September. Research firm IDC cut its forecast in June from 7.1 percent growth to 4.2. The Guardian UK said, “Budget-conscious consumers pit off replacing their existing PCs, and opt instead for smartphones or media tablets- principally Apple’s iPad.”
PC makers were off to a great start in 2010 by bringing the Netbook into the fold. But, unfortunately the iPad and other tablets have “cannibalized” the mini- laptop, making it all but obsolete by the end of 2011. Research firm IDC reported a 3 percent loss in the first quarter of 2011.
In the meantime, tablets have been on the upswing. Last week, JP Morgan predicted that worldwide tablet shipments will reach 99.3 million units in 2012.
It appears that it is time for PC makers to evolve. Technology is an ever-changing wave of the future and consumers have made it clear that they don’t want a bulky desktop anymore. They want mobility. They want a touch screen, and if it’s not an iPad, they want it cheap.
In the early 1980s, no one imaged that there would be a personal computer in every home, but it happened. Now, it might be hard to imagine that there will come a time when no one will have a personal computer in their home, but they will all have handheld devices in their laps.
PC makers might prove more successful if they focused on a niche industry. Microsoft is faring well with console gaming. Companies like Hewlett-Packard might do better to focus on the enterprise market. Acer has long been a top-seller of laptops. They could continue to design lighter, smaller and less-expensive laptop computers.
Wired Magazine has an in-depth article about what PC makes can do to stay above water in the future. Writer Christina Bonnington recommends that PC makers embrace mobility, go “ultralight” and more affordable, stick with niche markets and be innovative.
Innovation is the real winner for the future of PC makers. The Netbook wowed consumers with its lightweight and simple design. Tablets wowed them even more. Gesture gaming threw everyone for a loop in the game industry. All it takes is a unique, new way to browse the internet, produce documents, save pictures and listen to music.
Pretty much anything that is brand new to the technology market, doesn’t cost too much and doesn’t cause physical pain to the user will turn the PC industry on its ear again. We are a fickle bunch of consumers and are willing to throw our gadgets in the garbage for the next big thing. Will PC makers be able to invent the next big thing before they are swept under the rug by tablets? If they start working on it now, they may have a chance.
via : Padgadget