Laptops Outsell Desktops

[BJ_M]

"According to a new report by Current Analysis, laptops have overtaken sales of desktops for the first time in computing, ever. Figures are for the U.S. market, but presumably this is part of a world-wide trend." From the article: "Notebook prices fell 17 percent during the past year while desktop prices dipped only 4 percent. Some of the features common in most notebooks are longer-lasting batteries, CD burners and wireless capability."

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8AGSGQ00.htm?campaign_id=apn_tech_up

[yoda313]

Hi,

You still can't beat desktops in terms of ease of upgrades and power at the moment It will still be cheaper to upgrade a desktop for a long time since the components are tons cheaper than minituraized laptop parts.....

Kevin

[pbhalerao]

But this is a paradox in itself. The more the laptops sell, the cheaper the components will become. But what you say is correct - a laptop may not match the power of the desktop just as a desktop cannot match a server.

Another good thing happening is laptops are getting lighter. I hate to carry those 3+ kg laptops. Especially at airports ...

[yoda313]

Hi,

But this is a paradox in itself. The more the laptops sell, the cheaper the components will become. But what you say is correct - a laptop may not match the power of the desktop just as a desktop cannot match a server.

Another good thing happening is laptops are getting lighter. I hate to carry those 3+ kg laptops. Especially at airports ...

But I can't imagine you'd ever get laptop components as cheap as some desktop components. I mean you can get dvd roms and soundcards and stuff dirt cheap for desktops.

And weight for laptops - yeah they're coming down except for those behemoth desktop replacements. Don't some of those come in around 10 pounds????

Kevin

[zzyzzx]

I suspect that laptops are more popular outside the US, so if laptops outsell desktops in the US, it's even more prevalent elsewhere.

[rallynavvie]

I think the reason folks are getting laptops is because they're getting cheaper for feature-laden ones and... wait how are servers faster than desktops?

[pbhalerao]

I think the reason folks are getting laptops is because they're getting cheaper for feature-laden ones and... wait how are servers faster than desktops?

Not necessarily faster but more resilient.

[rallynavvie]

That I agree with. Desktops these days are getting to be so fast but nobody is really giving them much thought with regards to reliability.

[jackal70058]

I just bought my new laptop computer yesterday, so guess I add to the numbers. The desktop is great when you want to add on, but I can take this with me anywhere.

[Cole]

For the average user, laptops take up less space, you can surf the net while in front of the telly (or anywhere in the house), take them out with you and for most there are no plans to update the laptop.

Plus Laptops are so powerful these days there is almost no need for the average user to upgrade - 2.5Ghz to surf the net and write emails is already a sledgehammer to crack a walnut!

I can see Desktops becoming the enthusiasts area, much like the separates Hi-fi owners compared to most homes' midi systems.