Future of Desktop Computers
The sale of PCs declined in 2015 with global shipments amounting to 75.7 million units in the fourth quarter of the year; an 8% reduction on the same period in 2014. That being said the PC market is far from dead. The release of Windows 10 had created something of an upturn, although this was dampened a little by the availability of a free upgrade. The release of the sixth generation of Intel Core based systems is also expected to enliven the market somewhat. Manufacturers are also continuing to address the impact of mobile on the PC market by producing an ever increasing selection of hybrid devices.
Although the impact of the release of Windows 10 was reduced somewhat by the availability of free upgrades, many people have still seen it as an opportunity to start with a fresh PC to run the updated operating system. There are plenty of deals and discounts available at sites such as VoucherBin where you can browse through deals from a selection of retailers such as Currys and PC World. You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a brand new PC to use. Will the PC market continue to suffer overall though? We are going to take a look at the impact of the new generation of Intel Core and how manufacturers are embracing hybrids to keep the PC market buoyant.
What does sixth generation Intel Core brings to the table?
Intel Core based systems provide an excellent user experience anyway. Now this is set to improve even further, as immersive use increases and power use decreases. Using the sixth generation of Intel Core means using less power while benefiting from improved performance. Users have the ability to log on with their face and to make use of a personal assistant which reacts to their voice. The new release brings users closer to a totally immersive experience and is good reason to update to a new PC, especially when coupled with the improvements that Windows 10 has brought about.
How hybrids are bridging the gap between PC and mobile?
The PC market has been hit heavily by the growth in appetite for mobile devices. It’s no co-incidence that since tablets hit the ground running in 2012, worldwide sales of PCs have faltered. Users enjoy the ability to be connected wherever they are. Manufacturers are addressing the issue with the introduction of hybrid PCs to the market. These lightweight notebooks that have detachable keyboards and can easily be converted into a tablet, are gaining popularity with users. Many PC manufacturers have joined the hybrid market, with Microsoft being a major player. Here are a few of the hybrids which have captured the imagination of users.
Microsoft Surface
Microsoft has marketed the Surface Book as a laptop but it has all the attributes of a hybrid. Not only that, but this, new to the market, device is one of the best hybrids that Microsoft has managed to produce so far. It has a 13.5 inch screen that can either be detached from the keyboard completely or pivoted around the top.
Lenova Yoga
The Lenovo Yoga is a line of hybrids that has been around for a while, with the Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro being among the best hybrids on offer from the company. It’s light in weight, just 2.6 pounds, and runs using Intel’s Core M processor. This super thin device offers the ultimate in portability.
Asus Transformer Book
The Asus Transformer Book range is another major player in the hybrid market and the latest release is especially impressive. Users get the benefit of a 10.1 inch high resolution multi-touch display and the device runs on Intel’s quad-core Bay Trail processor. Other impressive features include the 500GB hard drive and the integrated Intel HD graphics.
Dell XPS 12
If you are looking for power then the Dell XPS 12 has it. It packs a punch with its 4K Ultra HD 12.5-inch screen and benefits from a full size keyboard. The Dell XPS 12 also features Thunderbolt 3, which means that users have the ability to connect with other devices, charge the device and transfer data as they wish; all using just one port.
The HP Spectre x360
The HP Spectre is built to appeal to anyone who enjoys gaming or watching video on their device. It features a 360 degree hinge which means the device can be “stood”, “tented” or used traditionally as a laptop or tablet, depending on the needs of the user. The device has a 13-inch quad-HD screen.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for the PC but a combination of Windows 10, sixth generation Intel Core and the growth of the hybrid is currently making this a good time for upgrading to a new PC.