1 in 4 tablet owners say it is now their primary computer
Summary: One in four tablet owners now turn to their slates as their primary computer, and three out of four American enterprises are finding ways to make use of them. Surely the days of the PC are numbered? Maybe not.
There's little doubt that PC sales are flagging. All the currently available data points to the fact that people -- consumers and enterprise alike -- are keeping their PCs for longer. One of the reasons is that mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets are competing for people's attention -- and cash.
An infographic drawn up by OnlineClasses.org pulls together data from a number of sources to show just what a powerhouse the tablet is, and how is appears set to take over from the PC.
There's a lot contained in that infographic that should worry PC OEMs. The first data point that caught my eye was how an incredible one in four tablet owners now say that their slate has become their primary computer. That's a huge shift considering that until 2010 and Apple's launch of the iPad, tablets were virtually unknown, both in homes and businesses. This adoption has been so rapid that within 18 months, tablets had found their way into 11 percent of U.S. homes, making their adoption faster than any other piece of technology in history.
Tablets are also gaining huge traction with businesses, with three out of four American enterprises adopting them in some way.
The adoption of tablets is increasing at such a pace, it is now estimated that their sales will surpass that of PCs by as early as 2016.
Much has been written about how PCs are dying. While I have no doubt that their importance is diminishing, I think that it is far too early to write an obituary. PCs -- desktops and notebooks alike -- continue to be the primary workhorses, and no matter how good tablets are currently, this is not going to change for some time to come.
PC sales may be down. This is because of changing attitudes towards how often they need to be replaced. But there's little to suggest that overall PC usage, along with their importance, is waning.
Image source: OnlineClasses.org.
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Talkback
1 in 4 tablet owners say it is now their primary computer
I guess
It did?
Why is that?
I remember the comments and posts when Laptops sales where taking sales away from traditional deskotps. MS still made out either way.
Microsoft should care if revenue is important
R Paul Singh
1 in 4 tablet owners say it is now their primary computer
Exactly
Agreed!
They've shifted to something more in line to how they used PC's. Youtube, email, simple apps as oppose to a more seriously enabled platform like a desktop. Programming, content authoring, office applications and other more demanding tasks will stay with the desktops.
Point to Tablets
Most users do not need the power of a PC for most of what they do.
That does not make PC useless or passe, or dead. It just means they sell fewer units.
Very well said
Re: analyze non linear microwave behavior, or simulate an MMIC oscillator d
ARM
Re: Shoehorning is a complete waste of time.
I say not just yet
need some advice
Come on Loverock
No I wasn't wrong
what
Of course
What will the relatively steady state split end up being for mobile/touch screen computing (tablets and large screen smart phones) vs more traditional, powerful computing such as laptops and desktops using keyboards and mice? Voice recognition may over time slowly shift the balance towards the former.
Where will the ultimate merging the of those two user environments and experiences end up and who if anybody will dominate/control it.
I do not think the (coming) touch screen convertible portables have a very large role to play in the future. They will be too pricey and cumbersome. A tablet plus a thin and light notebook with or without a touch screen will be a better solution for most users who need/want both worlds.
And 9.5 out of 10...
Does this matter? No.
It just represents a shift in the favored form factor; with tablets becoming more en vogue, but I fail to see how this has a major impact on both hard- and software producers alike. They move with the demand, like they always have.
News at 11.