OSNews

Not quite. Tablets and smartphones *are* replacements for desktops, for a certain range of activities. I've done a fair amount of travel over the past few years, and while I've previously carried a laptop with me, I'm unlikely to do so again in future - on the most recent trip, a smartphone was adequate for almost all circumstances, and a lightweight tablet would easily cover the rest. "

There is a pool of common uses that these devices share. If the only thing you do is within that pool then whichever device you prefer should suit you. But, many many people have uses outside of that pool where just one device doesn't cut it.


Well, ..no. Desktop sales aren't growing but they're not plummeting either. Desktop PCs continue to sell hundreds of millions of units per year. There's enough data to know people aren't typically buying tablets or smartphones as replacements, but rather in addition to the other devices the have. How many people here have both a smartphone and a tablet? Of those people, how many need both versus own both for any other reason than need? As far as (college) students go, you see a whole lot of laptops & netbooks but you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone doing all their work on a tablet or smartphone.

Tablets have their place, nobody is saying otherwise. But so do desktops and it's going to remain that way for a long time. It's important not to forget that fact. These devices are used for a lot more than email, twitter following, facebook updates, google'ing, etc.