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I hate to put both questions in one thread but I am late for an appointment and I want to get the answers when I return.

First question is: Do you believe that the mobile phone will render the PC obsolete at least for the majority of people.
Second question: What should one charge a small business to make their existing website moblile? What about having to make one from scratch. Ok that is three questions.
#obsolete
  • Profile picture of the author Doug Wakefield
    Until they make data entry on a phone much less straining I don't see the PC going anywhere.

    Phone is just going to be another medium to deliver information.
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    • Profile picture of the author dudelive
      I agree with Doug laptop and desktop computers are here to stay.
      Try doing homework on your smartphone or making a powerpoint file.
      nope if anything smartphones will no grow much more then where thier at right now.

      thats just my two cents

      Tony
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  • Profile picture of the author Jake Gray
    PC won't go anywhere.

    Phones will be popular, but won't kill computers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Yadira Barbosa
    Phone its a portable way to access info, but the PC it's the main way, and will be for a long time.

    Just check the trends: PCs and Macs have bigger and bigger screens, and entertainment capabilities, to make the user experience better.

    Phone are smallest and slimmest for more portability, so it's hard to spend long period of time surfing the web.
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  • Profile picture of the author ronywilliam
    well PC's are flexible and cheap till that is there they wont go anywhere... u cant fit 64gigs of ram in a laptop can you? In a PC you can
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  • Profile picture of the author PabloVTB
    I think something new will appear. The same way we thought the old writing machines would be here to stay, and then computers appeared, so will it be with computers. Something practically as fictional as mobile phone once were will come and change our lifestyle
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  • A phone?? not even a tablet is a feasible way to get any serious work done. PCs and laptops wont go anywhere within the next decade.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kanapemo
    Phones will never render pc's obsolete. Well at least not for now, ha ha. I mean while phones are much more flexible and can even be carried in the pocket it cannot carry out half the functions that a pc can carry out.
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  • Profile picture of the author Hackbridge
    Based on my own experience with using a mobile phone as a means of getting online out of necessity I would say never. You simply cannot do as much on a phone as you can on my computer.

    Also you cannot download or upload much information on them.

    I have been told that smart phones are only useful for surfing the internet.

    Brian
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
    Not until typing with one finger is more efficient and productive than typing with ten.
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  • PC won't be obsolete any time in the near future, the same way people still read newspapers & listen to the radio, even though televisions were 'supposed' to replace those.
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    Pick a product. Pick ANY product! -> 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
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  • Profile picture of the author a04cmccl
    The personal computer is far more versatile than any mobile device to market. Mobile operating systems don't support hardware intensive programs such as Adobe Photoshop and I'd say it would be rather difficult to code a website on an iPhone.

    Moreover mobile device browsers are a little bit awkward. I can personally attest to this after watching my friend fumbling around on his Blackberry trying to load a page today.

    That said, mobile devices are a popular means of browsing the internet and you'd be foolish not to make both PC and mobile device compatible versions of your website.

    As for your question, don't pay more than $50 to have your site made mobile. You can easily find a qualified worker on vWorker to do the job for you cheaply and quickly.
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    • Profile picture of the author dancing brave
      Well I am with the general consensus here, in that no way can a phone touch the p.c....at the moment. I think the way it will go is evolving into a combination of laptop/phone. That makes sense to me. With technology evolving as fast as it is, who knows what is going to be the 'must have' gadget in 5 or even 10 years time?
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      • Profile picture of the author Chuck Avants
        Interesting----only 1 out of 14 people attempted to answer the 2nd question and the way I read it they misunderstood the question.

        Plus there is actually a 3rd question.

        So my thoughts are computers will be around until the technology for voice recognition allows another form of device to surf the net and do office work etc.

        Also the small screens on phones make them less desirable--especially for those who's eyes like it a bit larger.

        2nd question
        I don't know what to charge a business to make them a mobile site.
        $297, $397, $597---I guess it depends on what you do.

        3rd question
        To make one from scratch should be comparable to making a regular website plus a bonus for the unique factor.
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        • Profile picture of the author Nevin McQ
          Even though the Smartphones you can speak into instead of type, the regular computer will never be replaced.

          To me a laptop will never replace my desktop

          Not sure about tablets, they will have their market however it will be limited applications.

          Think of the machines fedex or even service technicians carry around
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  • Profile picture of the author AverageGuy
    First question is: Do you believe that the mobile phone will render the PC obsolete at least for the majority of people.

    no

    Second question: What should one charge a small business to make their existing website moblile?

    eventually, the site should work for both mobile and regular automatically. so, maybe not much, but as a bonus for selling website design?

    What about having to make one from scratch. Ok that is three questions.

    depends.


    david
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    • Profile picture of the author QuickSurf
      Highly unlikely, though the new generation of smart phones coming out is pretty sweet (dual core processors, docking etc).... def not a replacement for a laptop or desktop. For one thing, the screen size... have fun trying to work and do everything and manage a business on a 4" screen LOL.

      Smart Phones are great additions to helping run a biz, or doing things while out and not around a computer, but far from a true replacement now or in the future.
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      • Profile picture of the author packerfan
        Things like ipad and that new motorola phone that "plugs in" to a monitor and keyboard will dominate in a few years.

        Think about it... You will have all the computing power you ever need in a device the size of a phone. It weighs nothing. You plug it into a keyboard/monitor thing that weighs nothing, and all of the sudden you have a full laptop without actually having a laptop.

        I think the desktop PC will vanish within 5-10 years, maybe sooner. There's simply no need for a desktop outside of gaming or serious professional work. And there's already laptops capable of handling those things.

        I'm sure some day we'll end up with something the size of a penny that slips into a roll out screen that weighs 4oz or something.
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  • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
    Originally Posted by rhondaklewis View Post

    I hate to put both questions in one thread but I am late for an appointment and I want to get the answers when I return.

    First question is: Do you believe that the mobile phone will render the PC obsolete at least for the majority of people.
    Second question: What should one charge a small business to make their existing website moblile? What about having to make one from scratch. Ok that is three questions.
    Ok, so what is a smart phone? Is it not a PC (although not a very powerful one) bundled with a cell phone?

    The PC is not obsolete....it's evolving!
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by Floyd Fisher View Post

      Ok, so what is a smart phone? Is it not a PC (although not a very powerful one) bundled with a cell phone?

      The PC is not obsolete....it's evolving!
      WRONG! I have seen movies that weren't even talkies talking about computers being in everything. Computers have been in cars for decades. They've been putting them in some high end refrigerators. There has been a lot of talk about them helping with the shopping. I don't know how close they are, but the technology is THERE! HECK, even in star trek, the have portable and fixed computers. They primarily have like 3 scanners, and a type of PDA(although normally shared among several), including at least 1 computer, though some speak of them being networked.

      What they speak of now is NOT a new idea. They have had the ability to implement it for about 40 years now! In the late 70s, I actually had a kind of PDA. It could do all the basic things the palm could, except read/relate graphics, or get apps, and it didn't have a touch screen, in fact, the display was much smaller. It also didn't have as much memory. BUT that PDA was smaller, lighter, and had more electrical power in proportion to a palm. And I forget what they called it. But it could tell you the time, act like a scientific calculator, handle appointments and give an alarm at that point, and even handle notes, and EASILY fit in your pocket. OH, and it was INEXPENSIVE!

      So things get better AND worse. Look at NETBOOKS! They aren't as fast, aren't as big, and don't have as much memory, but that gives benefits that others can't match.

      And proprietary stuff is going to slow things down. Have you guys seen the ipad2? The EPITOME of what I am talking about! HECK, microcomputers now are FAST!

      When I got my first job, I once told my boss how fast a LITTLE computer was. He did NOT believe me. Though one of the slowest popular computers INTEL made at the time, it was faster than many computers only a little earlier. I don't know if he ever believed me on that, but we got the performance I predicted! STILL, faster computers mean expectations climb, and netbooks may ALWAYS be crippled! SURE, one day they may have a processor faster than an i7, and access 64GB, but you can bet that other laptops could access more, etc... THAT is what has happened with microcomputers as a whole.

      Steve
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      • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
        Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

        WRONG! I have seen movies that weren't even talkies talking about computers being in everything. Computers have been in cars for decades. They've been putting them in some high end refrigerators. There has been a lot of talk about them helping with the shopping. I don't know how close they are, but the technology is THERE! HECK, even in star trek, the have portable and fixed computers. They primarily have like 3 scanners, and a type of PDA(although normally shared among several), including at least 1 computer, though some speak of them being networked.

        What they speak of now is NOT a new idea. They have had the ability to implement it for about 40 years now! In the late 70s, I actually had a kind of PDA. It could do all the basic things the palm could, except read/relate graphics, or get apps, and it didn't have a touch screen, in fact, the display was much smaller. It also didn't have as much memory. BUT that PDA was smaller, lighter, and had more electrical power in proportion to a palm. And I forget what they called it. But it could tell you the time, act like a scientific calculator, handle appointments and give an alarm at that point, and even handle notes, and EASILY fit in your pocket. OH, and it was INEXPENSIVE!

        So things get better AND worse. Look at NETBOOKS! They aren't as fast, aren't as big, and don't have as much memory, but that gives benefits that others can't match.

        And proprietary stuff is going to slow things down. Have you guys seen the ipad2? The EPITOME of what I am talking about! HECK, microcomputers now are FAST!

        When I got my first job, I once told my boss how fast a LITTLE computer was. He did NOT believe me. Though one of the slowest popular computers INTEL made at the time, it was faster than many computers only a little earlier. I don't know if he ever believed me on that, but we got the performance I predicted! STILL, faster computers mean expectations climb, and netbooks may ALWAYS be crippled! SURE, one day they may have a processor faster than an i7, and access 64GB, but you can bet that other laptops could access more, etc... THAT is what has happened with microcomputers as a whole.

        Steve
        Define a personal computer.

        My definition? A device that has an OS, can be programmed to do different tasks, can run those tasks independently, and can only be used by one person at a time (unlike traditional mainframes, which by design can be used by multiple people via terminals).

        On that scale, pretty much everything you talk about is a personal computer. Just different classes of them.

        A desktop is the traditional PC that started the whole revolution.

        A laptop is a PC that is smaller.

        A netbook is a laptop without a CD Rom.

        A tablet is a netbook without a traditional input device (ie mouse and or keyboard).

        A smartphone is a PC with a cell phone bundled with it.

        A cloud computer is a PC without independent storage.

        As you can see, the PC is definitely not going away, and it never will. All that is happening is the PC is being adapted to fit the lifestyles and needs of the people who use them.

        Rumors to the contrary are greatly exaggerated...long live the PC!
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        • Profile picture of the author seasoned
          Originally Posted by Floyd Fisher View Post

          Define a personal computer.

          My definition? A device that has an OS, can be programmed to do different tasks, can run those tasks independently, and can only be used by one person at a time (unlike traditional mainframes, which by design can be used by multiple people via terminals).
          Actually, MANY "personal computers" can be used by MANY people. This forum is probably run by such a system! And YEAH, I used to think that about mainframes TOO, but ACTUALLY, some of the first mainframes could not be used by ANY people and didn't have terminals! The company, IBM, had a LOCK on the punched card market, and held off on terminals. And multitasking was kind of optional.

          A desktop is the traditional PC that started the whole revolution.
          Debatable. a number of early computers were actually SMALL, even by today's standards. Physically at least. I actually wanted to buy one, created around 1976, that was smaller than any notebook, or netbook, I have ever had! It didn't have a real keyboard, or storage, but it WAS a ciomputer and was INEXPENSIVE!

          A laptop is a PC that is smaller.
          NOPE, none of the ones I spoke of were laptops!

          A netbook is a laptop without a CD Rom.
          OK, I think I HAVE seen some laptops that didn't have CDs. Floppies are all but gone, CDs may follow. I'm sure they would have ALREADY if not for DVDs.

          A tablet is a netbook without a traditional input device (ie mouse and or keyboard).
          There are a LOT of tablets that don't have the other restrictions that netbooks do. And HOW do you define netbook? I mean you almost seem to exclude the ipad as a tablet!

          A smartphone is a PC with a cell phone bundled with it.
          OK, then blackberries, androids, etc... aren't cell phones? See YOUR definition of a LAPTOP!

          A cloud computer is a PC without independent storage.
          It can run without ram or rom? Can I call my PC a cloud computer if the disk crashes? And network access isn't needed. GOTCHA!

          As you can see, the PC is definitely not going away, and it never will. All that is happening is the PC is being adapted to fit the lifestyles and needs of the people who use them.

          Rumors to the contrary are greatly exaggerated...long live the PC!
          At least I can't argue with that!

          Steve

          BTW for ME?

          PC is basically a computer that is usable and has some rather permanent randomly accessed storage, and is no larger than about 7 cubic feet. Sorry, I have NOT found a reliable way to separate minis, micros, or even really regular computers. Earlier methods just DON'T work anymore!

          A desktop is one as described above that hooks to primary external output/input devices(such as the display, and keyboard) or is not meant to be easily portable as a whole.

          A laptop/notebook computer is a computer that is meant to be portable, has an integrated display, weighs no more than 20 pounds, has a battery that can last at least 30 minutes, and can be folded together like a notebook.

          If you have a notebook that weighs over 20pounds, it is a luggable. Luggables may not be foldable like a notebook.

          A netbook is like a notebook computer, but is built to be extra light and have a long life battery. The size should be under 13", the weight under 6lbs, and the battery over 4.5 hours.

          A tablet is a small computer that has limited external controls and primarily uses a touch screen.

          A smartphone is a device that is smaller than about 3" by about 6", has a phone, and can accept custom apps.

          A "cloud" computer is a computer that can't do anything except act like a smart terminal over a network. It can display, accept typing, save info, and print, but does it all under the control of another computer on the network.

          BTW I TRIED to come up with descriptions that don't require specs that are a moving target, and tried to allow all things that currently exist. Most netbooks, for example, are smaller, have bigger batteries, and weigh less. Most laptops are lighter, have bigger batteries, and weigh less.

          HECK, my current desktop is not THAT much bigger than my first netbook(maybe twice the size), and it isn't that much heavier. It may even be LIGHTER! My first laptop was a fujitsu lifebook, and was HEAVY! But it connects to external devices. The first mac didn't need to hook to other devices, but it WAS heavier.

          Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Dillinger411
    The PC will remain for the power user. The ergonomics of a desktop make it ideal for someone that works more than 8 hours a day on one.
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  • Profile picture of the author RaduX
    PCs won't ever get obsolete.

    However, many people are using smart mobile phones today.

    The mobile site option will become eventually obsolete, as most mobiles can now render web-pages just like a PC.

    The real trend will be the iPhone and Android apps. Many webmasters will want their own app for such devices.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marvin Johnston
    Regarding mobile taking over, most smartphones use cell services to get on the internet (duh!) The problem there is the increasing bandwidth requirements with more and more people watching video's, etc. And from a recent report I read, it appears that we are approaching the limit of current cell bandwidth technology.

    I suspect what will happen is the price for cell service bandwidth will increase to slow down the urge for some people to always be connected.

    And that leaves PCs connecting to the internet via wireless, cable, dsl, etc.

    So no, I don't think the PC is going anywhere.

    Regarding mobile site pricing, $1453.22 depending on requirements .

    Marvin
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  • Profile picture of the author wanna-succeed
    I'm waiting for the day where they put the computer in our brain, like a small chip.
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    No sig, good day m8...

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    • Profile picture of the author rhondaklewis
      Just got back, thanks for the replies. I was reading Mobile Internet for dummies where they said that the PC is becoming obsolete. That did not sit right with me. I can't even imagine not needing my laptops or PC.
      Thanks to everyone who answered the second and third question also.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick Sammut
    I find mobile phones stressful, the PC will always be my go to
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  • Profile picture of the author AlPaxum
    I have no answer to your 2nd question, but for the 1st one, no. There is no way that mobile will make pcs obsolete. Hell, laptops haven't even done that yet and never will. It may get the pc user that only uses a pc for very small things to use mobile devices, but there is a huge market for people who love to build pcs and customize them. Also, No mobile device will ever compare to the power that you can get from a pc.

    Maybe in 20 years or more there will be mobile devices that can compare to the power of a pc or laptop, but till then pcs will remain a popular thing. Personally, I don't use a mobile device for anything internet related. I know that there are many that do, but nowhere near the amount of actual pc users that require more then just the very bare minimum on a small screen.

    Just my 2 cents.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Originally Posted by rhondaklewis View Post

    I hate to put both questions in one thread but I am late for an appointment and I want to get the answers when I return.

    First question is: Do you believe that the mobile phone will render the PC obsolete at least for the majority of people.
    Second question: What should one charge a small business to make their existing website moblile? What about having to make one from scratch. Ok that is three questions.
    They are CRIPPLING devices in various ways. Android doesn't really count, because it is based on a server people may fail to trust, etc.... Anyway, with NO syncing, NO standard I/O interface, a SMALL screen, etc.... I doubt the phone will do it. Haven't you realized that phones are starting to get BIGGER!?!?!? Even NETBOOKS have started to get bigger. OH, you may laugh. I HAVE a netbook. One of the more popular ones in fact. But they made ones 70% of it's size, and THEY didn't sell so well. Are they even made anymore? I don't see them getting updates. And what of ebook readers? Did you know that they really exist because of failings in smart phones? It's TRUE! The average smart phone HAS the software and can read and display the books. AND, if it didn't, barnes and noble, and Amazon.com OFFER theirs for FREE!

    So NO, they won't take over, until they start doing what PDAs did to take off!!!!!!

    What do you mean "make their existing website mobile"? There are about 3 standards, for presentation language. Only 1 standard really fits the phone, the other two may have to be tweaked for it. There are about 3 methods of doing so. One 1 is standard, though another has only about 5 standards, that I know of(android, blackberry, iphone, palm, MS windows CE). Expectations are based on market, etc.... So I would say anything from 0 to millions. Maybe if you ask a better question, you can get a better response.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author dayafterstore
    Originally Posted by rhondaklewis View Post

    First question is: Do you believe that the mobile phone will render the PC obsolete at least for the majority of people.
    There's no way Gates would let that happen...
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