More and more multimedia devices are becoming one. Just a mather of time and our tv, desktop, PS2, stereo and whatever will compile into one machine with just a few buttons. Our beloved destops will eventually be completely obsolete. Where will linux stand by then? For now it's nice to see that the TomTom uses a linux kernel and some smart phones do aswell. But what will be the challenge for OpenSource developers be by then? Their work will be harder to recognize and why would we bother to be active in forums?
What's your opinion on the future?

I seriously doubt this will ever happen. People have been predicting all sorts of convergence devices for over a decade now, with very few in sight. If you actually consider how people use things, you'll probably come around to the view that convergence will happen only in select instances. For example, do you really want to watch a movie on your cell phone? Or if you have a device that provides a decent size picture, its going to be way to big to clip to your belt and schlep around with you as your phone. Sure the stuff we have is going to get more powerful and some things may make sense to converge, like a phone and an MP3 player. But convergence doesn't happen just because it can, there has to be a use for it.

Remember when the TV came out how polemic things got? Everybody thought the radio would die and be replaced by the TV. There was even a very popular clip at the still young MTV performed by the "Buggles" in the early 80's called "Video killed the Radio Star". That song made a huge success "announcing" the death of the radio. Even today that song is played from time to time (GTA - Vice City had that one, if I remember it right)

Well, what has become of the Radio today, really? It's alive and kicking more then it ever did: From Cell phones to PDA's, Internet, Portables as mp3 or CD players. The radio had one advantage that the TV did not: You could listen to music and still do other things: drive a car, read a book, etc...

So, I am with Handdog42, that will never happen... Nothing truly "dies", it just changes its form. The desktop will be changed into something else, but to simply die or become one single integrated thing? Never, I guess

Has netcraft confirmed this?

j/k

Anyway, I'm with Mega Man X, and Hangdog42...
Good luck typing up a professional CV on your cellphone or 'media center appliance'

The desktop will be around for as long as people use computers for recreation and business (ie: forever )

That was actually the first video played by MTV when they launched.

Ok, end of totally irrelevant and useless information. We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

I am hoping that the desktop PC will return to status of being owned only by serious and intelligent people (or at least serious, since originally you had to spend so much on a computer that you most certaintly was planning to be serious about learning it).

Honestly, the majority of computer owners should not own one. If all they need is something to read email, browse the internet, and write a letter or two, there is no need for a full blown computer with a billion features they don't even use. Couple MS Windows on top of that and you practically need to be an administration to keep it up and running.

I am hoping that the next-generation gaming consoles will evolve into set-top units that can take the place of what the majority of PCs are being used for today.

This is why wireless networks are important. Once they can provide a lot of bandwidth on the cheap, you'll see small devices like the PSP being able to handle general Internet and Office-like tasks. Most people probably won't need a desktop after that...but then again, someone will come up something that requires a desktop, so who knows?

Eh???

You know, a lot of people don't like reading web pages, sending email, or writing letters on a 2"x2" screen. Bad for the eyes. How do you print a CV from your phone?

Well, these same people just want to "read email, browse the internet, and write a letter or two, there is no need for a full blown" (your words) video game system!

Sorry, but "Honestly, the majority of computer owners should not own one" just reeks of eliteism. Don't make the mistake of thinking that just because someone doesn't want to be a Comp. Sci. PhD, they don't want/need to use a computer...

I don't know how to build or repair an internal combustion engine...does that mean I should not own a car?

Not trying to pick a fight, just my $0.02

Yeah I agree. Just because people use somethign does not mean they need to know about how it works. Does a Doctor need to know how to take simple chemical compounds and turn them into a specialized drug? No. Thats why we have chemist and drug companies. Should someone taking a picture need to know how a digital camera converts that image from optical to digital? No. You post really did reek of elitism (not bulliver) computers are pretty much an essential part of our lives now. Unless you ride an old bike and store your money under the mattress and live out in the middle of kansas, chances are your life is affected by a computer. If grandma wants to spend $1000 on a machine and ends up just emailing her friend pictures of her grandkids who cares? its not your money.

I saw a Fry's flyer this past weekend. They're selling a basic Internet-ready desktop running Linspire for just under a hundred dollars. That is the kind of computer these users need. It does the basic (e-mail, web browser, IM, media player, office suite) without a lot of fuss and expense.

The desktop PC is simply the most convenient type of device for certain tasks. A full size screen and keyboard will never be replaced by some micro-mini handheld. Those are nice supplements, but the desktop is here to stay.

i think probably the closest "minimalist" computers that could serve these "functional" users(although at times they would also like to have some simple fun with computer) well would be a better(and low-priced ??) tablet pc , traditional destop pc are rather cumbersome sometimes ...

.

The PC will always be around...

very glad that someone finally mention the obvious , namely the pc will always be around as in a personal computer will always be a personal computer no matter what ...



.

Desktop will always be around. There is a chance for lap top to take over, for that to happen, there must be substantial standardisation of lap top components.

my desktop will never die. it will just keep getting more efficient. does anyone still actuialy use a cd player around the house? i use my dvd/surround sound for my room and desktop for ma comp room.