Here's Why Desktop PCs Just Won’t Die - Comments Page 2

I use 1 laptop.....when I'm on the road (most of the time), it sits up on my steering wheel (when parked for the night, of course), and I use an external mouse for convenience...When I get home, my laptop goes on the shelf, is plugged directly into my 60" ty via hdmi cable...a small portable tray, a mouse and a bluetooth keyboard gives me all the easy control I want.

I recently built a "new" W10 tower system except for 2 components.. the DVD writer that I use so rarely that to replace a perfectly good one seemed pointless, and the case, which originally was a cheap Windows ME computer then later rebuilt to an XP computer which got upgraded to Win7

If heaven forbid I got burgled they'd likely take one glance and not bother with that ancient geriatric computer resplendant in its discoloured ivory and broken blue plastic trimmings.. unaware that inside its pretty up to date i9 on a Mobo a gamer would be proud of pcie SSD etc

While they still have their uses, I don’t find I need an actual traditional desktop PC for real work. And I do real work (I work in IT development.)

A docked laptop works great. Everyone on my team uses one. I’m powering two large monitors (a 25” ultra wide and a 34” ultra wide) with mine. The laptop’s built in monitor is a bonus. The machine also powers a MFC print/scan device. Of course, I have a keyboard and mouse.

When I need to go away on business, I simply undock and go, allowing me to use the same machine at the office and off-site. Easy peasy. Can’t do that easily with a traditional desktop. Sometimes, I can even borrow an additional monitor at my destination.

Of course, we also all have mobile devices for extended communications options.

Retired now, but the last decade at work was a laptop in a docking station with a huge monitor. It functioned like a desktop.

At home, I've an iPhone, iPad, and MacBook, all of which I use daily but primarily and for virtually all real work, I have a Win10 Pro Desktop with a 32 inch HD monitor. I'll always have a desktop for all the reasons Bob pointed out. There are so many things you simply can't do, or can't do easily without a full keyboard and mouse, and a monitor big enough to SEE what you are doing or buying. The idea of trying to do your taxes on a smartphone is just ludicrous. The desktop isn't going anyway anytime soon, if ever. :^)

Bob, I agree completely. I have two laptops and hate them both. I hate the touchpads - things just seem to happen "out of the blue". I hate the screen size. Give me my desktop Dell Work station anytime. And don't get me started on mobile devices. To me it's ironic - For years we were conditioned for bigger and bigger screen sizes, for TV example. Now it's the rage to "stream" stuff to a to 4-5 inch mobile phone screens. It's laughable. Yes, I think the desktop is here for a long time.

This is another informative article. YES! I, likewise, believe that the desktops are here to stay for a long time. Not only is the expansive keyboard convenient, but I need the desktop with the full-screen monitor for working on spreadsheets, photography and digital imaging work, documents, presentations, and other geeky projects. In addition, I have Linux and Windows 10 on my desktop. I can't see myself doing that on the screen of a cell phone or tablet! Thank you for this great article!

I haven't had a desktop in years but have one laptop that serves almost as one - it never moves from my desk. As my eyes age, I find the laptop screen easier to read than the tiny screens of a phone or tablet. And having a real keyboard is so much easier than using a screen keyboard.

For years I used 2 monitors, but one day set a 50" TV as a monitor. I know about the quality of the screen difference. I love it I open two spread sheets, and have no trouble reading or doing input. When working on Ancestry, I put facts up on 1/2 the screen, and input data on the other 1/2. I don't think I could ever go back to two monitors. That just me, have friends that think I am Crazy but I already knew that. Would never give up my desktop, my Surface pro, or my cell phone. They all have their place.

Desktop PCs will never go away. My old eyes have difficulty reading the screen of my Kindle or phone, even with 3X magnifying "cheater" glasses.

HOWEVER, you can get a cheap adapter that will allow you to plug a full sized keyboard and mouse into the USB port of your Android or Apple phone. It looks silly, but it does work.

Now, if only there were a way to plug my 34-inch monitor into my phone...

These are excellent points in my opinion. The note about the desktop establishing an identifiable work area is as important as the more practical items: we can't change our programming all that easily either.

I feel I am well-served by having a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone. Purchasing and provisioning the full suite of products isn't cheap, but it allows me to choose the best tool for the job and setting.

My thoughts are simple. I've been building and using computers since 1979 and I couldn't agree more with your presentation. Right on.

Two words that were missing from your great (PC desktop) article are:
1)Compatibility (i.e. Respect for legacy hardware/software)
2)Ergonomics (aka Human_Machine_Interface(s) for Input@Keyboard and Output@Monitor(s))
Our home has a few desktops PC, an HTPC, a few laptops, a few touch-screen tablets, a few smartphones (iPhone/Android), and a mothballed Google Assistant.
I refuse to rely on any of these HW/SW, with the exception of the dual-27" monitor Win10 desktop, because the rest are just NOT user friendly and very frustratingly slow to achieve tasks quickly/reliably.
Happy New Year! ⛄

I started with computers late, around 1994. I also had a flip phone in 1995. Each has its own place in my life meaning Desktops Laptops and iphones. I also agree. Some stuff you really can not do on a cel.

Not a heavy duty user, I replaced a dying PC with a cheap laptop five years ago. I recently updated the laptop with a solid state hard drive a year ago and am a happy camper.

I use three printers and a standard keyboard. My eyes need help and the laptop's monitor is too far away, so I plan to put a larger monitor on my desk closer to me where I can see it better.

It works for me.

Desktops run cooler and their vents are less likely to clog and CPU's overheat (one exception is the Chromebooks and MacBooks which are fanless). Like you said easier to work on. Good article as always. Happy New Year Bob!

I agree. I wouldn't trade my dual-monitor desktop for anything. I have a laptop and an iPad, but they are only for using when away from home.

Even when I am away from home, I mostly use my laptop just to get remote access to my home PC via remote login. That way I have access to everything on my home PC, etc. I use teamviewer but there are lots of choices (you have discussed remote login choices in a Ask Bob Rankin article).

Catching up on my e-mail today & noticed this article. Am typing this comment in my home office with its desktop PC, 25-inch monitor, full size wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. I use this setup every day except when I have to use my laptop away from home. I have HP Sceptre 15-inch laptop, a speedy little devil, to take to my volunteer job where I set up a mobile hotspot with my phone to make a secure connection when I have to deal with confidential data. I see no reason to abandon my PC, especially when I can update the components. Long live the desktop PC!