Why Are PC Sales Up And Tablet Sales Down?

When iPads first came out, they were hailed as the undoing of the PC. Finally, a cheap and reliable computing device for the average user instead of the complicated, quirky PC. After a few years of strong growth for iOS and Android tablets and a corresponding decrease in PC sales, the inverse is suddenly true: PC sales are up and tablet sales are “crashing.” What happened?

The tablet slowdown shouldn’t be a surprise given that tablets have hardly improved beyond relatively superficial changes in size, screen resolution, and processor speed. The initial market for tablets is now saturated: grandparents and kids have them, people bought them as Sonos controllers and such, and numerous households have them around for reading. People that want tablets have them, and there’s just no need to upgrade because they more than adequately perform their assigned tasks.

Businesses and consumers alike are again purchasing PCs, and Mac sales are on the rise year-over-year. Businesses in particular are forced to upgrade older PCs now that Windows XP is no longer supported. When purchasing a new PC, the main driver to choose a PC versus a tablet is fairly obvious: If you are creating any type of content regularly, you need a keyboard, a larger screen, and (for most businesses) Microsoft Office.

Source

A Guy

 

[jimbo45]

OK Everyone.

Hands up here those people who've ever been to a business meeting where about 12 - 14 people ALL have laptops, power cables, cables to connect to the external monitor etc etc. Even "Desktop" sharing (at a demo for example) usually requires the PC of the demonstrator to be on the conference room monitor for display purposes. Now someone at the other end of the room needs to Demo something -- people move around, cables in the way, monitor unplugged and plugged in again, some fiddling with resolution so people can see OK etc etc. I'm sure loads of you have been to meetings like that.

I'm sure I.T developers will be more than familiar with the above scenarios especially when rolling out some large ERP type of project and needing to get the end users involved in the initial pre-implementation phases.

Take now the SP3 (or similar device) -- Battery life is fine so even if a meeting takes longer than 2 - 3 hours you don't need to take power cables, the Monitor can be connected by WIRELESS so nobody needs to change positions in the room to physically connect their display, using some Touch functions - particularly to dynamically re-size parts of the display etc are fine and the whole thing is so much more pleasant -- more space, no cables, far less heat etc etc.

There's certainly plenty of scope in businesses for using these "Convertible" PC's which I'm sure we'll see more and more of as the prices fall.

Some functions will still require heavy duty desktops -- not denying that - but a niche market only -- I'm sure about 90% of PRO I.T consultants are quite happy and able to work with Laptops -- it's just these days that the word "Laptop" needs a new definition - Mobile computing.

A Tablet ONLY device as we all agree IS NOT a replacement for a proper functioning computer if you need a computer in the first place.

Cheers

jimbo

 

[CountMike]

Like I always say: Right tool for the job and right job for a tool.

 

[TONSCHUH]

At least the Surface 3 Pro seems to sell pretty fast here in Oz. It got available today and I bought my wife a 3-Pro-i7-512GB and we got told that they even sold already 5 Docking-Stations as well. At least my wife is happy now, after I got already my Desktop-Upgrade not so long ago. Let's hope that we will be able to get Windows-9 for it as well and hopefully quite cheap too.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Hope she likes it -- I think although it's expensive (early adopters always pay over the odds !!) I'm sure she will be delighted with it - especially also if you get a docking station -- play also to an external monitor - Video is brilliant -- try it on a 4K TV screen !!!! You won't be able to use a "Normal" laptop with 1366 X 768 any more !!!!.

I love mine -- had it for a few weeks now -- it's so handy when travelling or doing Work type presentations etc.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[jeffrys]

People are awaking from a bad dream... lol...



I have some small devices too, but I'll always be a desktop fanboy !

I second that

Now, if everyone could see thet we do not need the desktop.....

Jeff

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Try taking a Desktop on a Eurostar train from Brussels to London or on any sort of Plane !!!!. Mobile devices most certainly DO have their uses - most old desktop computers probably just lie there gathering dust for about 90% of people who have and use computers.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[TechnoMage]

I certainly have to concur.....that a desktop on the train probably won't work.

But for home use, you can't beat it with any other modern miracle of computing technology.

I don't say that, except for my 34 years of experience as a Professional Computer Technician.

If the "Desktop Computer" is coming back, all I can say is "Whooopeeee"!!!
I just means more groceries for me, as a working PC Tech.

Good thread!

 

[strollin]

That's what makes the Surface Pro 3 so close to the perfect PC. It's a good tablet when you want a tablet, it's a decent laptop when you need a laptop and, with a dock and attached external monitor(s) and full-sized keyboard, it can be a fairly decent desktop. If I were to own only 1 computing device it would be a Surface Pro.

I am fortunate that I am not restricted to only owning 1 computing device so I can own multiple devices and use each one to accomplish whatever task I wish to do at the time and place I wish to do it. I believe many people (not all of course) are also able to afford to buy multiple devices so they have a tablet for when on the go but have a desktop at home as well.

I believe the tablet market has "matured" just as the laptop and desktop markets have. People will replace any of those devices after some period of time for many reasons, failure of the device, want to upgrade for more power/features, obsolescence, etc... So instead of tablets being purchased by first time users, they are purchased as replacements for existing tablets.

 

[Fredledingue]

Laptops are too large to travel with. (many poeple have to pay extra cabin ligage fee when flying low cost airlines because their laptop doesn't fit in their suitcase). A large tablet or a convertible would be my choice ... should I need one. Because if you go mobile, you need something mobile.

 

[TONSCHUH]

Hi there

Hope she likes it -- I think although it's expensive (early adopters always pay over the odds !!) I'm sure she will be delighted with it - especially also if you get a docking station -- play also to an external monitor - Video is brilliant -- try it on a 4K TV screen !!!! You won't be able to use a "Normal" laptop with 1366 X 768 any more !!!!.

I love mine -- had it for a few weeks now -- it's so handy when travelling or doing Work type presentations etc.

Cheers
jimbo

Oh yeah, she is loving it so far.

We will possible get a Docking as well and maybe one of the BlueTooth Mice too.

People are awaking from a bad dream... lol...

I have some small devices too, but I'll always be a desktop fanboy !

I second that

Now, if everyone could see thet we do not need the desktop.....

Jeff

There will be always a use for a proper Desktop-PC, at least if you want to game in a proper way or do some heavy work on it.

I love my Lumia 920 and I think the Surface 3 Pro is an awesome tablet, but they are not able to replace my high-end Desktop-PC, neither is a console.

 

[phillipduran]

But I thought the PC is died.

As has been said many times about this, it was just a migration of people who only needed the basics to get onto the internet but in the past had to buy a full featured desktop or laptop to get there. It wasn't the end of an era as was suggested.

 

[loveandpower]

I fall under the "grandparent and kids" section I guess. I purchased an ipad cause I wanted something lightweight I could mess around with and that's exactly what I do. I play Game of War on the Ipad but everything else, documents, financing, etc I do on the desktop. The only real advantage the ipad has given me is if I am looking up information for a friend/relative I can just pull out my tablet from my shoulder case bag and press and say for that item to search for and go for there. It is convenience nothing more. Once that convenience has been fulfilled by those who needed it they will go back to the priority.

It's like buying vehicles for some people. We have a "Sunday vehicle" one that looks all nice and shiny. Then we have an "every day vehicle" It's not a clunker yet but it's getting there!