Do we really need PCs?

Jon Davis · Sep 20, 2013

I have been using one Android device or another for several years now. Using a GN10.1 for a year now.
My windows laptop has been gathering dust for quite a while.
Recently I dug it out to work on some CDs.
I was stunned by how clumsy the windows interface was. Awkward.
It took so long to boot up, and long to shut down...
Granted I don't have the latest windows with a touch screen. Still....
I suppose that a physical keyboard would be needed for heavy entry. Still...
I am wirelessly printing from my tablet.
What do I need the damned laptop for?
Just saying.

funkylogik · Sep 20, 2013

Last time i used our laptop was to root my android phone lol (truth).
I dont even have a tab yet (hopefully getting a 1st gen nexus7 soon) and all my computing, internet needs are done on my phone so i definately see your point

stanan · Sep 20, 2013

I dug out my old Windows XP laptop recently and discovered it had a DVD player. I used it to convert several DVDs to mp4 files so I could watch them on my android tablet while traveling. Was surprised the old laptop was still useful.

funkylogik · Sep 20, 2013

Yeah ripping disks is a definite use :thumbup:

GreenBeans · Sep 21, 2013

I know what you mean. Iv'e been using a hp laptop for ages and it used to take five or so minutes to boot up recently I finally got a new one and it booted up windows 8 in 10 seconds.

Rush · Sep 21, 2013

Thread moved.

sfbloodbrother · Sep 21, 2013

These days we all don't need a Windows machine anymore. Microsoft need us more than we need MS. I still need mine, because theres still video games that I play on the computer.

MoodyBlues · Sep 21, 2013

sfbloodbrother said:
These days we all don't need a Windows machine anymore.

Not ALL of us ever needed micro$oft. Me, for example.

I'm Linux only, and have been forever. UNIX before that. When I was forced (like at work) to administer some window$ machines, I'd PULL MY HAIR OUT because of the slowness, the lack of sophisticated built-in tools, the lack of security, the constant rebooting, etc. What I never understood was how/why M$ managed to convince the masses that their horrible, slow, bloated, virus-laden, so-called operating system was worth anything!

Codegerm · Sep 21, 2013

MoodyBlues said:
Not ALL of us ever needed micro$oft. Me, for example. I'm Linux only, and have been forever. UNIX before that. When I was forced (like at work) to administer some window$ machines, I'd PULL MY HAIR OUT because of the slowness, the lack of sophisticated built-in tools, the lack of security, the constant rebooting, etc. What I never understood was how/why M$ managed to convince the masses that their horrible, slow, bloated, virus-laden, so-called operating system was worth anything!

Microsoft couldn't efficiently program anything. Marketing however, that they do very well.

sfbloodbrother · Sep 22, 2013

MoodyBlues said:
Not ALL of us ever needed micro$oft. Me, for example. I'm Linux only, and have been forever. UNIX before that. When I was forced (like at work) to administer some window$ machines, I'd PULL MY HAIR OUT because of the slowness, the lack of sophisticated built-in tools, the lack of security, the constant rebooting, etc. What I never understood was how/why M$ managed to convince the masses that their horrible, slow, bloated, virus-laden, so-called operating system was worth anything!

It has the support of all the big companies and has really good software. That's how they win.

Revenant Ghost · Sep 22, 2013

sfbloodbrother said:
It has the support of all the big companies and has really good software. That's how they win.

Agreed. When it comes to third party software support, Windows is king.

Kaat72 · Sep 22, 2013

There is this Random Thought Thread already:
http://androidforums.com/showthread.php?t=287

EarlyMon · Sep 22, 2013

This was moved here - I just renamed it.

redpill2016 · Sep 22, 2013

I'm a heavy Office user for work, especially Excel and PowerPoint. Also if I'm doing a long email I definitely like a full keyboard. I'm a very fast typer so using a phone for anything other than short notes gets frustrating in a hurry.

Microsoft has certainly had its low points but Windows 7 seems pretty solid.

I'm also addicted to my Microsoft Trackball Explorer Pro and mechanical keyboards of various types. I don't get to do much gaming anymore as I have two little kids, but I still like to fire up Continuum or Tropico 4 now and again, neither of which would translate that well to a phone.

shmn · Sep 22, 2013

If I need to get something done...I use my PC. Android is good for peripheral viewing and minor tasks, but anything that takes typing or horsepower requires a real computer. And given a choice, I would always rather surf on a PC. Much faster and much easier. I can type a lot quicker on a real keyboard and can accomplish the easiest of tasks much quicker too on a PC. I do a lot of photography and use Photoshop CS6 and Nikon NX2 as well as many other programs which I could never do on a phone. Android can't deal with RAW images (AFAIK) and who wants to edit images on a 5" screen. Don't get me wrong...I love having a smartphone and I wouldn't be caught without one...but the PC has still got a big place in my world.

Codegerm · Sep 22, 2013

The PC has a solid place in my world, and has had it for a long time. I use my laptop every day weather running Linux or Windows 7. I do love my Android device, but even if I had the shiny new Galaxy S4, it wouldn't replace my laptop.

Stannis the Mannis · Sep 22, 2013

shmn said:
If I need to get something done...I use my PC. Android is good for peripheral viewing and minor tasks, but anything that takes typing or horsepower requires a real computer. And given a choice, I would always rather surf on a PC. Much faster and much easier. I can type a lot quicker on a real keyboard and can accomplish the easiest of tasks much quicker too on a PC. I do a lot of photography and use Photoshop CS6 and Nikon NX2 as well as many other programs which I could never do on a phone. Android can't deal with RAW images (AFAIK) and who wants to edit images on a 5" screen. Don't get me wrong...I love having a smartphone and I wouldn't be caught without one...but the PC has still got a big place in my world.

Good post and I agree with you, not to mention PC gaming.

To tell you the truth the only time I had any major problems on Windows was with Vista, that thing would do a BSOD at least once a day. W7 on the other hand has been fantastic, I got a new PC a few weeks back for only about $350 (i already had W7 and bought a good AMD APU so that brought the costs down, I also got and AMD graphics card and set up dual graphics).

Prinny · Sep 22, 2013

Do we need PC's is really an open-ended question more than a yes or no one.

It really boils down to what you DO on your computer/phone/etc.

As much as I love my note, there are things I use my PC for. A lot of sites I visit aren't mobile friendly, and do not have an app. I also use my PC for music, movies, etc. Sort of like a media server streaming to my PS3. I also use another PC for playing StepMania (DDR more or less) which I can't really do on my phone. Well...I COULD...but with my fingers...which isn't the point of it.

TL;DR

Yes I need a PC.

MoodyBlues · Sep 22, 2013

For me, I simply cannot imagine a tablet or phone replacing a full-sized keyboard and nice, big screen that go along with laptops (and desktops). The laptop I'm typing this on has a full-sized keyboard complete with numeric keypad to the right; it's able to be that big because of the size of its screen. I like that. I type fast, as in blazingly fast, and I just can't see that happening on a touchscreen--and DEFINITELY not on a phone! I managed to knock out one reply here on AF yesterday on my phone, and it took forever and I could barely see what I was doing. Ugh.

So, for me, it's PC all the way until they become obsolete. If I ever buy a tablet it'll be just for fun, as an adjunct to my REAL computers. (And by PC I mean "personal computer" not "personal computer running window$." *MY* PCs all run Linux.

)

MoodyBlues · Sep 22, 2013

sfbloodbrother said:
It has the support of all the big companies and has really good software. That's how they win.

It *HAD* the support of all the big companies--have you checked out window$ phone sales lately?

As for really good software, I personally don't think software that routinely causes computers to crash, or slow down to a crawl, or become infected with viruses and malware, and has to be continually upgraded (at more expense), qualifies as REALLY GOOD software. But that's just me.

Prinny · Sep 22, 2013

MoodyBlues said:
Some stuff was said here...

I type fast, as in blazingly fast, and I just can't see that happening on a touchscreen--and DEFINITELY not on a phone!

more stuff here!

This. This is why I don't want an "all in one" PC or a tablet. Sure, touch screens are fancy and all, but a physical keyboard? Nothing can compete in my eyes.

Although give it a few more years. I have a feeling solid keyboards will be a thing of the past, much like zip drives/floppy drives and CRT monitors.

sfbloodbrother · Sep 22, 2013

There may still be a need for physical keyboards. Welll... Maybe not, because if a holagraphic keyboard can show up on my desk, then I would rather use that for space reasons.

Prinny · Sep 22, 2013

sfbloodbrother said:
There may still be a need for physical keyboards. Welll... Maybe not, because if a holagraphic keyboard can show up on my desk, then I would rather use that for space reasons.

You mean like this?

Mehta23 · Sep 22, 2013

I used to this a decent phone (+ maybe tablet) was all I needed, but since building a high spec PC, I've realised it isn't the case (at least for me). In fact, since getting it, I found I could do what I used to use my phone for, but much more efficiently - it's probably quicker to turn my computer on and goole something than it is to use my phone.

saptech · Sep 22, 2013

At home I use my desktop PC, running Linux, majority of the time. I prefer a big monitor and the bigger the better! While in bed or on the couch, I may use the phone or tablet to look something up or when the grand kids are over and they use the PC most of the time.

Do we really need PCs?

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