Endless Paradigm

Looking at the specs of a standard netbook:
- Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz
- 1GB DDR/DDR2 RAM
- varying HDD size
- integrated graphics
It seems to be a fairly powerful computer for most common usages (except Vista perhaps).

Desktops have the edge over laptops in terms of performance/price ratio, performance ability (and extensibility).  However, the question becomes, how much power do you really need?  Take out gaming and various multimedia applications and perhaps some specialist applications - there's very little that requires a lot of computing power, in fact, today's netbook can probably do it fairly efficiently (ie word processing, web browsing etc).

Cast a few years ahead, and netbooks may be able to handle a number of these multimedia applications reasonably well, I mean, your average to high end notebook should already be able to do these fairly reasonably (though they may be a bit more on the expensive side).
I'm finding my current computer specs more than what I really need actually, and am considering whether my next upgrade should still be a desktop.  Although portability isn't a big issue, it's still a plus if you don't need the amount of computing power.

Gaming is perhaps still the main thorn in notebooks, though I think if the market for notebooks increases significantly, solutions may come out.  I believe ATI had an "XGP" solution where you connected a graphics card to the notebook externally, though this was a little while ago, and its current status is unknown.


Do you think laptops will slowly take over the desktop market, or do people still want the most computing power they can get?

i don't think portable computers will ever take over full stop, netbooks, laptops, or otherwise


Although laptops are extremely useful for businesses, or people who need portability, a desktop, in reality, offers far more flexibility, due to interchangable hardware (if a laptop breaks, it has to be sent to a specialist  for repair, whereas a desktop even a novice can pop off the back and replace the cooling fan, or even probably the CPU with relative ease), and the fact that desktops are permanent. People like permanent thinga at the end of the day, and, whether or not they acknowledge this, i think it does play a part in the descision to buy a computer. You don't want a laptop that can be easily moved....easily moved is easily 'borrowed' (and far more people have laptops 'borrowed' than desktops :o )


Also, like you mentioned, gaming will be a large seeling point for computers for a long time,. as PC gamers will always want the best, which can't be achieved even by a gaming laptop due to the frequency of hardware updates. Factor in a low Battery Life whilst playing online, unless you want to kill the battery by leaving it plugged in 24/7, and the option isn't as pretty any more, certainly not for gamers, who are the only ones that encourage hardware developers to push in the first place. There isn't really a valid option for portable users though, as the heat produced by a gaming laptop is immense, and when you start to add large coolers to reduce that heat, you start to remove the portability, defying that logic in the first place

I wonder if you have seen these?

"Desktop Replacement Computers"


http://www.pcw.co.uk/personal-computer-w...-xps-m2010

Basically its a slim lined, portable computer/monitor that folds up to about the size of a briefcase and has all the power of a desktop.

Some old man powerpoint operator had one of these on a show that i did..its kind of cool..gives about 20 minutes of battery life, just good for backup purposes if someone pulls the plug or trips the switch on a surge protector.  But very snappy.

It will inherently vary on the user. Consider the following conditions.
Screen size: This is one of the best trump cards that desktops have. Bigger is never enough. Although wee now have 17" laptops, they are far too bulky, get too hot and too expensive. Plus, you don't get a 24" screen by default.
Customizability: Desktops have the long term value of customizing. This really doesn't need further elaboration, except that for a notebook, you get what you paid for initially and there is little you can do about it a year down the line.
Performance: Unlike you, I am not speaking of general user. I speak about gamers and media people. Gaming, encoding, rendering etc on notebooks will never be able to be on par with Desktops.
Cost: For the cost of a decent good performance notebook, you can get a really hi-performance desktop.

If your average person is looking at the above conditions, then it can be said that desktops are unlikely to be replaced. If at all, the will share the space with a notebook.

However, laptops or other ultra portables will definitely become far more popular than they are today.

This is what I think can happen:

A normal user will most likely buy a decent laptop which allows him to do all his stuff. For watching movies etc, they will either use an external display or go for a large screen initially. It may happen so that the cheap desktops that wee can buy now will no longer be produced. However, the cheap cost may give some users to have both. Or something like a netbook and a HTPC.

Professionals and enthusiasts will however, have a Hi end desktop and a mid-range laptop.

notebooks will get better,. but desktops will also get better,.

untill a point is reached where desktops will get better and smaller,... and become notebooks,.

I'm looking into some gaming laptops, something I can throw a game like C&C Red Alert on and play it on the go.  If I get a laptop on that level, it'll make me ignore mah desktop a bit more.

Games like a Grrl Wrote:I'm looking into some gaming laptops, something I can throw a game like C&C Red Alert on and play it on the go.  If I get a laptop on that level, it'll make me ignore mah desktop a bit more.

i know macbooks can run C&C red alert 3 fine (through XP ofcourse)
you know you'd love to get a macbook, lol

dedat Wrote:

Games like a Grrl Wrote:I'm looking into some gaming laptops, something I can throw a game like C&C Red Alert on and play it on the go.  If I get a laptop on that level, it'll make me ignore mah desktop a bit more.

i know macbooks can run C&C red alert 3 fine (through XP ofcourse)
you know you'd love to get a macbook, lol

muhahaha i own a BlackBook

13.3inch screen is good

i think netbook will hit when the new 2ghz processors tht have been made go on the market

mac sucks

you want a gaming laptop browse here..good lapotps start at $960..skrew dell and alien ware...again like mac, you pay more for the logo...

http://www.mtechlaptops.com/

they have raid0/1/5 boot drives 2x 1gb 9800GTX in sli video cards, quad core cpu core2duo or xeon, up to 8gb ram...no mac can touch that, and it gives alot of desktops a run for the money!

SchmilK Wrote:mac sucks

you want a gaming laptop browse here..good lapotps start at $960..skrew dell and alien ware...again like mac, you pay more for the logo...

http://www.mtechlaptops.com/

they have raid0/1/5 boot drives 2x 1gb 9800GTX in sli video cards, quad core cpu core2duo or xeon, up to 8gb ram...no mac can touch that, and it gives alot of desktops a run for the money!

Hardcore notebooks,. YEAH!!