IBM PC's co-designer says PC era is ending

**plasty** · 08-11-11 at 06:50 AM

Tomorrow, the world will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the IBM PC. The design created by the company is still around in its most basic form in most personal computers built today. But one of the designers of that first IBM PC says that the personal computer's time is close to ending. In a IBM blog site entry, Mark Dean, currently IBM's chief technology officer in the Middle East and Africa, says he now does most of his computing on a tablet (he doesn't specify which tablet he uses).

Dean, who was part of a team of 12 engineers who helped to create the first IBM PC, says, "When I helped design the PC, I didn’t think I’d live long enough to witness its decline. But, while PCs will continue to be much-used devices, they’re no longer at the leading edge of computing. They’re going the way of the vacuum tube, typewriter, vinyl records, CRT and incandescent light bulbs." He adds that the traditional PC is not being replaced by the smartphone or the tablet " ... but by new ideas about the role that computing can play in progress. These days, it’s becoming clear that innovation flourishes best not on devices but in the social spaces between them, where people and ideas meet and interact. It is there that computing can have the most powerful impact on economy, society and people’s lives."

IBM sold off its personal computer business in 2005 to Lenovo. It also no longer sells PC peripherals or hardware like printers and hard drives. However, instead of falling behind Dean says that IBM is better than ever. He says, "We anticipate changes and try to get out ahead of them—rather than waiting and reacting defensively. IBM has been on a path of constant transformation ever since we launched our turnaround in the mid-1990s." He adds, "We conduct fundamental scientific research, design some of the world’s most advanced chips and computers, provide software that companies and governments run on, and offer business consulting, IT services and solutions that enable our clients to transform themselves continuously, just like we do."
With his new role as IBM's CTO for Africa and the Middle East, Dean says he wants to help Africa improve its technology and computing industry. He says, "While the PC revolution has had a tremendous impact on the world, I believe that the work that IBM and others are doing in Africa could have an even bigger impact over the long haul."

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http://www.neowin.net/news/ibm-pcs-co-designer-says-pc-era-is-ending

WackRual · 08-11-11 at 07:45 AM

So what's gonna replace my PC?

**Mbbest** · 08-11-11 at 08:02 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by WackRual

So what's gonna replace my PC?

Exactly.

Mobiles? NO, Ipad? NO

**strgzr** · 08-11-11 at 08:09 AM

Thats what happens when you become to vocal. They put you in charge of technology in Africa and the Middle East! Way to go Mark!

**L1b3rta** · 08-11-11 at 11:18 AM

It's quite infuriating that he gives such a statement, while neglecting to give a full detailed picture on his point of view, considering his leading role.

With that said, I don't think the CTO is correct with the blunt description he gave. I don't see how the freedom of tweaking your computing device to your exact liking will ever lose its momentum over that of a pre-assembled one.

But then again, maybe he could be right, if the world has gone completely stupid. Maybe in the future our kids will all sell their virginity and kidneys to buy an iPhone/iPad/... instead of putting their own PC's together, because they think they've got the best computing product money can buy.

**plasty** · 08-11-11 at 01:17 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by WackRual

So what's gonna replace my PC?

Here you go

**Noledox** · 08-12-11 at 02:11 AM

I'll believe it when I see it. There have been many PC doomsayers before, and there'll be more to come.

prysm · 08-12-11 at 05:30 AM

I think his analysis went a bit too far. Honestly, soft keyboards are horrible. Application use on a soft keyboard is horrible.

kumachanAE86 · 08-12-11 at 05:36 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by fluffy81

A Mac. ´cause Apple will sue everyone who sells anything that even slightly resembles a PC and isn´t an Apple.

Apple. Think different.

supermage87 · 08-12-11 at 02:08 PM

In my opinion I think that what is going to replace pc is enchanced reality in less than 10 year. they already start to sell cellphone with translucent screen. 4 dimension google are comming:) there will be no touchpad, nor touchscreen. !!

what do you think ??

**Noledox** · 08-13-11 at 12:55 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by karlitos

Tablet with:

.24h autonomy
.Bluetooth MS arc styled keyboard and mouse (for use in desk)
.tablet mount to hold it as if it was a monitor with wireless connectors to charge it (for use in desk or charging only, similar to electric tootbrushes recharging technology)
.any peripheral connects through bluetooth (Drives, phones, speakers, etc)
.for peripherals that require faster transfer speed: usb 3.0 ports
.for users that demand bigger screen: hdmi ports

Tablet on/off the go easy explanation:
- Whenever you need to leave home and take the computer with you, just take the tablet and off you go
- Whenever you need to work with it in desk like a PC, just place it in your tablet mount and use your peripherals

Tell me that I am wrong, tell me that what I said above will never EVER happen.

Unless your theoretical tablet can support 6+ core processors and SLI or Crossfire, it still won't end the PC market. The whole point when saying these PC doomsayers are wrong is that there always remains something the PC does better than other devices. I still prefer buying one PC over buying a super-sophisticated tablet that costs just as much, as well as a gaming console for all the heavy lifting.

08-11-11 at 07:45 AM	#2
WackRual Newcomer Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 61	So what's gonna replace my PC?

08-11-11 at 08:02 AM	#3
Mbbest No kitty! bad kitty!!! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Southpark Posts: 1,696	Quote: Originally Posted by WackRual So what's gonna replace my PC? Exactly. Mobiles? NO, Ipad? NO

08-11-11 at 08:09 AM	#4
strgzr Expert Novice Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sonoran Desert, Az. Posts: 1,048	Thats what happens when you become to vocal. They put you in charge of technology in Africa and the Middle East! Way to go Mark!

08-11-11 at 11:18 AM	#5
L1b3rta Guru Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 6,053	It's quite infuriating that he gives such a statement, while neglecting to give a full detailed picture on his point of view, considering his leading role. With that said, I don't think the CTO is correct with the blunt description he gave. I don't see how the freedom of tweaking your computing device to your exact liking will ever lose its momentum over that of a pre-assembled one. But then again, maybe he could be right, if the world has gone completely stupid. Maybe in the future our kids will all sell their virginity and kidneys to buy an iPhone/iPad/... instead of putting their own PC's together, because they think they've got the best computing product money can buy.

08-11-11 at 01:17 PM	#6
plasty Decrepit Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 12,777	Quote: Originally Posted by WackRual So what's gonna replace my PC? Here you go

08-12-11 at 02:11 AM	#7
Noledox Bad command or file name Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Terra Incognita Posts: 2,709	I'll believe it when I see it. There have been many PC doomsayers before, and there'll be more to come.

08-12-11 at 05:30 AM	#8
prysm Newcomer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 55	I think his analysis went a bit too far. Honestly, soft keyboards are horrible. Application use on a soft keyboard is horrible.

08-12-11 at 05:36 AM	#9
kumachanAE86 Expert Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Final Stage Posts: 750	Quote: Originally Posted by fluffy81 A Mac. ´cause Apple will sue everyone who sells anything that even slightly resembles a PC and isn´t an Apple. Apple. Think different.

08-12-11 at 02:08 PM	#10
supermage87 Newcomer Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 29	In my opinion I think that what is going to replace pc is enchanced reality in less than 10 year. they already start to sell cellphone with translucent screen. 4 dimension google are comming:) there will be no touchpad, nor touchscreen. !! what do you think ??

08-13-11 at 12:55 AM	#11
Noledox Bad command or file name Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Terra Incognita Posts: 2,709	Quote: Originally Posted by karlitos Tablet with: .24h autonomy .Bluetooth MS arc styled keyboard and mouse (for use in desk) .tablet mount to hold it as if it was a monitor with wireless connectors to charge it (for use in desk or charging only, similar to electric tootbrushes recharging technology) .any peripheral connects through bluetooth (Drives, phones, speakers, etc) .for peripherals that require faster transfer speed: usb 3.0 ports .for users that demand bigger screen: hdmi ports Tablet on/off the go easy explanation: - Whenever you need to leave home and take the computer with you, just take the tablet and off you go - Whenever you need to work with it in desk like a PC, just place it in your tablet mount and use your peripherals Tell me that I am wrong, tell me that what I said above will never EVER happen. Unless your theoretical tablet can support 6+ core processors and SLI or Crossfire, it still won't end the PC market. The whole point when saying these PC doomsayers are wrong is that there always remains something the PC does better than other devices. I still prefer buying one PC over buying a super-sophisticated tablet that costs just as much, as well as a gaming console for all the heavy lifting.