no use for desktop?

[hulahips]

Just wondering with the new smart phones etc are people actually going to use them for everything and eliminate the desktop all together? If you can have access to texting, email, internet etc do we we really still need our desktops?

[njbchbum]

'Need" a desktop? How about 'want' the desktop? I much prefer relaxing in my comfy desk chair with the 21" monitor rather than squinting to read lines on a 4.5" display. Nor am I comfortable trying to type out a msg on a keyboard with keys so much smaller than my fingers! Nor do I know anyone who would have to contact me for anything that can't wait until I am at home rather than on the road...that's why we have an answering machine. Put me on the keeping the desktop side of the ledger. :)

Now, I do own a cell phone - but not a smart phone. I only carry it for emergency purposes - like taking a photo of any accident that might come my way.

[Bonny]

If I'm home, I'd rather be using my desktop. Nice and big and fast !

[Sable99]

I have an iPhone, iPad and a laptop and they all have their own purpose. I'm not a big phone talker but I like that it syncs everything to my iPad. I love my iPad and use it for just about everything. I bought a Kensingtnton Keyboard Case for the iPad. It has a great keyboard. I'm the Board Secretary for the Michigan Genealogical Council and even take the Board Minutes on the iPad and only use the recorder as backup! I still use my laptop but mainly for spreadheets and long text documents.

I have an iPad 3 with cellular data and I think I've about worn it out. The battery isn't keeping the charge as it once did. I do like the cellular data as I spend a lot of time in waiting rooms with my 3 "seniors" that I help out. Its hard to find iPads with cellular data on sale!

[larimor]

Yes. I run application programs that could never be done on a phone or tablet.

[Ecuadog]

Not all web sites can be viewed on a smart phone.

[CFrance]

My iPad (hate it) or smart phone will never, ever replace my laptop. I type over 100 wpm on a normal size keyboard. I have a keyboard for my iPad, but it's not much better than using the touch screen keyboard, which is the worst. and keyboarding on a smart phone--fuhgeddaboudit. Documents and the like--must do on a laptop.

I only use the iPad for travel and the smart phone for checking emails or Google searches in the car.

[tomwed]

I'm answering using my laptop. I am also watching youtube [us women's soccer vs Ireland] on my tv that is connected to the same laptop. I use google voice [hangouts]. My cell phone number links and the same laptop is used for phone calls, texts and answering machine messages.

Everything is converging.

The kicker is that all you need is internet and a $200 chromebook with a wire [hdmi cable] connected to your tv. My first computer in the 80's cost me $2,000.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I have an iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro and a 27" screen iMac Desktop. I spend far more time at my desktop than on any other device.

I only use the internet on the phone when I am away from the house. I really don't like having to look at the tiny screen.

[CFrance]

I haven't owned a desk bound in years. Laptops only in our home. Replace them every 3 years or so and we're good to go. I also love my tablets and smartphone. I don't type on them, they are voice enabled and Google is the master of voice recognition. No "i" devices on the property.
If I ever find a windows-based tablet that's unlocked and able to use on windows, I'll be there in a heartbeat.

[Barefoot]

'Need" a desktop? How about 'want' the desktop? I much prefer relaxing in my comfy desk chair with the 21" monitor rather than squinting to read lines on a 4.5" display. Nor am I comfortable trying to type out a msg on a keyboard with keys so much smaller than my fingers! Now, I do own a cell phone - but not a smart phone. I only carry it for emergency purposes. Same here.. My iPad is very handy when we travel.
But a desktop/laptop with a big screen and proper keyboard is best for me!

[Wandatime]

I only know I need a normal-sized keyboard. The rest is flexible.

[TJ_Woody]

I use my laptop for most of my email and about 1/3 of my web surfing (I like to have more space available). I also use it with a large monitor attached for my photo editing. I use my phone mostly as a phone and for an occasional text or to look something up on the internet when I am away from home. I also have a tablet where I do the rest of my web surfing and reading. Lastly I have another tablet that I use for gps navigation in my car and truck.

All that being said, I wouldn't be without my laptop, tablet or cell phone. Each serves a purpose and while you may be able to use a tablet for all of the above, it won't do some of them nearly as well.

What I have: iPhone 5s, 13" MacBook Pro, Ipad, iPad mini (car navigation device).

[TJ_Woody]

I use my laptop for most of my email and about 1/3 of my web surfing (I like to have more space available). I also use it with a large monitor attached for my photo editing. I use my phone mostly as a phone and for an occasional text or to look something up on the internet when I am away from home. I also have a tablet where I do the rest of my web surfing and reading. Lastly I have another tablet that I use for gps navigation in my car and truck.

All that being said, I wouldn't be without my laptop, tablet or cell phone. Each serves a purpose and while you may be able to use a tablet for all of the above, it won't do some of them nearly as well.

What I have: iPhone 5s, 13" MacBook Pro, Ipad, iPad mini (car navigation device).

[queasy27]

I'm far, far behind the wave since I don't have, want, or need a smartphone but utterly depend on my laptop for work and to run my personal life. It would be the first thing I'd save in a fire.

As others have said, it's mostly the keyboard but I also don't like touchpads so a mouse is a requirement. I mainly use my tablet to read books/magazines, play games, or watch movies. I take it to doctor's appointments or anywhere I know I'll be waiting for a while.

I'm no Faith Popcorn, but I don't see laptops and tablets going anywhere soon.

[gap2415]

Two years ago my hubby bought me an iPad for my birthday. It came with 2mb of data free for life from T-Mobile, though I use wifi 99% of the time. I hardly use my laptop now at all! I use the iPad for calls, messages, email, taking and storing photos and only need the other for certain big programs, like photoshop and lightroom. As tablets continue to evolve, I think they are the future. I have a separate keyboard I sometimes use but rarely.

[greg&sueby]

Have smart phone, laptop, ipad, and desktop computer. I love the computer to sit and work on without distraction, plus the 22 in screen. Could not do taxes on a iphone or ipad. The keyboard is the best for fast accurate data entry, I think the funniest thing, is tvs getting bigger all the time, 50 inch is now small, yet people will stream on a 4 inch screen. go figure.

[NYGUY]

While I can envision touch screen tablets with attachable keyboards as adequate for most people, I still want my desktop for large spreadsheets and websites where I want to see more of a full page on a screen. I also prefer to have the keyboard slightly lower than the desk with an angle (slide out keyboard tray).

[Doro22]

We have a desktop in the office/den that hubby uses almost always. Connected to that is the scanner/printer. I use mostly my I-pad mini. Also use my I phone 5 sometimes. We also have the regular size I pad, which hubby uses sometimes. I passed that along to him when I bought the mini on sale for $200.00. Love the I pad mini the best. It is the perfect size for me. In addition...for banking etc I use the laptop. There is a platform for everyone's wants, preferences & needs. So cool! On the other hand, my hubby & myself both dislike GPS directions, & believe me we have several versions. Oh well - to each his own.

Oh BTW...my brother who is a rancher hates any kind of digital communication. We have to actually call him on the telephone.

[queasy27]

I'll also add that, for me, tiny screens become more problematic as my near vision degrades. Increasing the font size requires a lot of sideways scrolling in order to read the page.