Posted on 11/09/2012 8:53:22 AM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Consumers continue to favor lower-end desktop PCs and notebook computers over high-performance models for this year and beyond, with the top-end systems accounting for only 6% of the market in 2012, according to an IHS iSuppli market research company.
“For the desktop as well as the notebook PC market, the continuing domination of lower-end computers is due to the rising performance overall of PCs and their greater affordability to the purchasing public,” said Peter Lin, senior analyst for compute platforms at IHS.
This year, the mainstream desktop PC category tied with the value PC category in the share of the global desktop PC market, with each segment projected to claim an evenly matched 46.9% by year-end. In comparison, performance PCs will be left far behind in third place, with a meager 6.2%. Meanwhile in the notebook computer space, the value notebook segment will take 46.8%, compared to 44% for mainstream laptops and 9.2% for performance models. IHS claims that the market calculus does not change in the years ahead, with performance PCs continuing to hold down a minority position compared to either the mainstream or value segments.
“While the highest and most potent specifications are still reserved for expensive PCs belonging to the performance sector, computers now in the mainstream or value segments are powerful in their own right, and cannot be deemed as throwaway models. Instead, these more affordable systems feature current-generation technologies that prove adequate for most uses, or boast increased microprocessor power that raises the performance bar even for seemingly rudimentary machines,” explained Mr. Lin.
(Excerpt) Read more at xbitlabs.com ...
Cute, but you’d really have to work to spend $3,000 on a Mac these days. The highest-end base configuration for a 27” iMac is $2,000, so you’d have to jam a whole bunch of upgrades to get there.
A bit easier if you have the 15” MacBook Pro with Retina display — the highest base configuration there is 2,800, so you’re only one or two upgrades away.
I got my iMac, Parallels Desktop, and 3 years of AppleCare for less than $1,200. I also do a lot more than just Facebook on it.
For the facebook/twitter girl, an iPhone could be enough, an iPad would be entirely sufficient.
As a gamer and one who does a lot of side work for people on their home PC's and networks, I could not agree LESS!
People do not like replacing and/or upgrading. It's all a big headache to them. They're always complaining about how now they'll have to re-learn everything all over again. Every time MS comes out with a new OS or version of Office, many, many things are relocated and it is a big headache not just finding what folder an app has been relocated to, but the interface for it has changed (Defrag, anyone?).
As to gaming, I can't wait for consoles to be able to do simulation-style games. It's way cheaper than any PC as you can connect wireless to your LAN and get on the internet with a USB mouse and KB). Every game that comes out requires more powerful CPU/GPU combinations than the last iteration of the game, but will run on a 2005 XBOX 360. Go figure.
I think consoles will be able to do good simulations very soon. Now if they just had decent programmers who could write a game in-depth enough to last more than a couple of weeks, LOL!
yep
I know a few gamers that LOVE to upgrade. For some reason, swapping up for a new video card is the hilight of their day. Seriously. They’re like the “ricers” of the PC world.
Consoles don’t have enough inputs for really good sims. Maybe a USB HOTAS setup or input overlay, but not yet.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.