[linkinpark875]

Can anybody ever see a tablet which could mean you don't need a PC?

[d'@ve]

Certainly, if it has 1920 x 1080 dual 27 inch screens, a 4 or 8 core 3.6GHz processor, 16GB memory, dual 3TB hard drives, power graphics and audio cards to match, a full size keyboard, an optical mouse/pad and you can open the case to insert a variety of powerful add-on cards, a Blu-ray/DVD burner and large speakers and is fully Windows 7 compatible.

Oh...

[Jordosaur]

Personally don't think tablets should replace (desktop) PCs, nor are they designed too. I think they're perfect for replacing Laptops and Notebooks however. A decent desktop PC won't set you back much and neither will a decent 10" tablet. Tablets are perfect for taking out and about with you and retain much of the functionality of a laptop whilst being infinitely more portable.

I intend on getting rid of my laptop and replacing it with a desktop PC and 10" tablet as soon as I can afford it. Being a student, my laptop is with me a lot. In lectures it's easier to take notes on and saves me having to type them up (as I would if I had handwritten them), and in seminars it's easier to have my reading notes and the actual reading (which is now all online at my uni) there with me. A tablet can do all those things but won't be so cumbersome to carry around uni all day. Anything else I want to do could be done on the desktop PC when I got home. Mind you, it'll be months of saving before I can afford to do this, being a poor student and all that

[inkfinger]

For those whose needs are very basic, yes. Probably not for everyone though.

[roddydogs]

No orrible fiddly things.

[John259]

Tablets certainly have their uses, but IMHO those uses don't include replacing computers.

[Magic Cottage]

Have to agree with most comments already made, especially if you are a Photoshop user or any other such work. This could never be achieved on a 7 or 10 inch touch screen.

[Gooby]

There is so much I can't do on my tablet. Anyone working with data would struggle to use a tablet. Analysing and reconfiguring huge spreadsheets just doesn't happen on my Nexus!

[Philip Wales]

Depends, if you just use your pc for a bit of online shopping and banking, surfing the net etc, then yes they can. But if you use it for more intense uses like "Photoshop" etc then nope.

[flagpole]

Originally Posted by d'@ve

Certainly, if it has 1920 x 1080 dual 27 inch screens, a 4 or 8 core 3.6GHz processor, 16GB memory, dual 3TB hard drives, power graphics and audio cards to match, a full size keyboard, an optical mouse/pad and you can open the case to insert a variety of powerful add-on cards, a Blu-ray/DVD burner and large speakers and is fully Windows 7 compatible.

Oh...

it seem possible that a tablet will one day do most of that.

however, by then the desktop pc will have moved on too.

[linkinpark875]

What about the plug in keyboards it certainly makes it more PC like?

[Trsvis_Bickle]

Originally Posted by linkinpark875

Can anybody ever see a tablet which could mean you don't need a PC?

I guess it really depends on what the individual actually does with his or her PC. The vast majority of owners use only a tiny fraction of their machines' capabilities.

Let's face it, most people don't use a home computer to handle vast spreadies, design documents or edit big video files. Normally, your employer provides the kit to enable you to do your job so a home machine, in most cases, just needs to handle email, browse the interspaz and hold pictures and music. A tablet can handle all this and is far cheaper and more portable than a standard laptop, never mind a desktop.

I was looking to get a Mac Book Air but when I really thought about what I'd use it for (email, browsing, films and photos), I just couldn't justify the expense so I'm getting a tablet instead.

[flagpole]

Originally Posted by linkinpark875

What about the plug in keyboards it certainly makes it more PC like?

plugin keyboard, plugin monitor, plugin hard disk.

moving the goal posts a little i would say.

[alan1302]

Yeah, in the future they could easily replace a PC. I think for what a lot of people use their PC for then a Tablet probably already does.

For me personally if it was powerful enough and was plugged into a monitor/keyboard and mouse I'd be happy to use one as my main PC...think it will be a few years till they get that powerful but they are on their way.

[John259]

Ah, but is a tablet with an external keyboard and monitor still a tablet? I don't know... but it's an awkward mess to have to lug around and probably more expensive than a proper laptop.

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by John259

Ah, but is a tablet with an external keyboard and monitor still a tablet? I don't know... but it's an awkward mess to have to lug around and probably more expensive than a proper laptop.

Yes, still a tablet - when you want to take it with you then you just unplug it and away you go.

I'd still need to plug a laptop into a monitor and mouse to replace my desktop PC.

[barky99]

tablets fully replace windows/osx/linux etc? never

way phones/tablets are heading they will be able to run a desktop OS, many already more than capable ... ubuntu already almost there & can run on some tablets/smartphones .... so a merging with laptops far more likely than current style tablets being able to do all

[c4rv]

it could for my parents but then again their computing requirements are very low.

But TBH, with the hybrid devices now coming out you don't have to choose.

[whoever,hey]

Originally Posted by d'@ve

Certainly, if it has 1920 x 1080 dual 27 inch screens, a 4 or 8 core 3.6GHz processor, 16GB memory, dual 3TB hard drives, power graphics and audio cards to match, a full size keyboard, an optical mouse/pad and you can open the case to insert a variety of powerful add-on cards, a Blu-ray/DVD burner and large speakers and is fully Windows 7 compatible.

Oh...

With that size screen its pretty much like carrying an iMac around isn't it?

[d'@ve]

Originally Posted by whoever,hey

With that size screen its pretty much like carrying an iMac around isn't it?

Screens!

An iMac does less than my system, at three times the cost. Apple does it again.

Neither can be described as tablets or even portable. I have nothing against tablets, same as I have nothing against mobile phones, and I have both. But neither will ever be able to replace a nice meaty desktop.

[TelevisionUser]

Can tablets ever fully replace a PC?

That'll really depend on how the devices are used by the owner. Tablets are orientated to the leisure aspect and PCs are used a lot for work purposes with netbooks and laptops somewhere in between.

Overall, I guess tablets are more likely to impact on the sales of netbooks and laptops, especially for leisure-only use.

[whoever,hey]

Originally Posted by d'@ve

Screens!

An iMac does less than my system, at three times the cost. Apple does it again.

Neither can be described as tablets or even portable. I have nothing against tablets, same as I have nothing against mobile phones, and I have both. But neither will ever be able to replace a nice meaty desktop.

What does your system do that an iMac cant?

[alanwarwic]

Smartphones certainly will.

However I think they will simply work as a central hub.
Asus has that right with the phonepad/padphone as will Google with their Glass.
And a bluetooth watch is a also good budget move in that direction. Maybe TVs may ending up as pseudo-docks too?

So to me the answer is still a yes but phablets are more likely to prevail, consumer choice allowing

[whoever,hey]

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

Smartphones certainly will.

Woah woah woah there! Not a chance. Talk about jumping the gun.

[jonner101]

At work definitely no, Most people in our office have dual or even triple monitor set-ups. There are a lot of tasks such as development, graphic design, enterprise bespoke systems etc where you need a PC.

Even if tablets became powerful enough to run PC high end software then you would always be able to make a PC form factor type of machine even more powerful which I think you could always find a use for.

I think tablets have taken over the market the net books were once dominating, in having an instant on easy to use device for personal use for casual surfing, gaming etc..