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Why Laptops are an Endangered Species
Benzinga ^ | 12/06/2011 | Louis Bedigian

Posted on 12/06/2011 7:02:49 AM PST by SeekAndFind

The latest comScore (NASDAQ: SCOR) data gives us another reason to believe that one day laptops will be obsolete.

It's not that we don't love our laptops. Sometimes they can be downright beautiful. But people really, really love the simplicity of those screen-swiping, finger-flicking devices known as tablets and smartphones. And according to comScore, an increasing number of consumers are using their mobile devices to shop online.

Based on data from comScore's own Mobile Retail Advisor report, the company says that 38% of smartphone owners have used their phone to make a purchase at least once in the course of their device ownership.

“The most popular products purchased on smartphones during the month of September included digital goods, clothing/accessories, tickets and daily deals,” comScore detailed in a company release. Those and other findings will be presented live during a webinar on Wednesday, December 7.

“Fueled by smartphone adoption, mobile is becoming a central part in the shopping funnel for many consumers,” Mark Donovan, comScore's Senior VP for mobile, said in today's company release. “In September we saw two-thirds of all smartphone owners perform shopping activities on their phones, including comparing products and prices, searching for coupons, taking product pictures or locating a retail store. Considering there are currently 90 million smartphone owners in the U.S., retailers without a well-developed mobile strategy are not only missing a tremendous opportunity with these customers but also risk becoming obsolete in the minds of these digital omnivores.”

Here are the full details:

comscore_1.jpg

And a few more:

comscore_2.jpg

How, you might wonder, does this mean the end for laptops? That's simple: every time consumers shift their everyday habits from one device to the next, the losing device gets closer and closer to the end of its lifespan. As recent as 15 years ago, most consumers performed their day-to-day online tasks with a clunky desktop PC. In the last five to 10 years, that trend has shifted toward laptops, thanks entirely to falling prices, increasing power, and the simple fact that laptops are portable and desktops are not.

Now that people are throwing smartphones into their pockets and tablets into their bags, it's becoming all the more difficult (if not all the more pointless) to carry a laptop. Consumers can bank online, shop online, and perform a zillion other laptop tasks using any one of the Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) or Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) devices available. Going forward, their capabilities are only expected to get stronger.

Long-term, I suspect that Apple or some other clever manufacturer will combine the best of both worlds and release the ultimate touch screen laptop. Until then, expect to see the tablet and smartphone usage data to go up, while desktop PC and laptop usage could continue to deteriorate.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Society
KEYWORDS: computers; laptaps; smartphones
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To: bcsco

OK, great. Good to know this. Thanks again.


61 posted on 12/06/2011 9:43:14 AM PST by miele man
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To: dfwgator
Celluon Magic Cube Laser Projection Keyboard and Touchpad

From Amazon, $169.99.

-PJ

62 posted on 12/06/2011 9:44:38 AM PST by Political Junkie Too (If you can vote for President, then your children can run for President.)
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To: need_auto_help

In terms of freeware comparable (actually, I think better) than photoshop, look at GIMP. The windows download is available here: http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html look to http://www.gimp.org/ for other OS’s

I’ts free, it has plenty of bells and whistles to confuse yourself with (just like PS!), a wealth of documentation and an active user community.


63 posted on 12/06/2011 9:53:48 AM PST by Mycroft Holmes (Returned for regrooving...)
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To: Vaduz

Connect to a printer via a WiFi network.


64 posted on 12/06/2011 9:57:27 AM PST by Future Snake Eater (Don't stop. Keep moving!)
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To: Future Snake Eater

And hope someone else isn’t copying it.


65 posted on 12/06/2011 10:51:28 AM PST by Vaduz
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To: bcsco

What I like about my laptop is that I don’t have to close one eye to see the screen.


66 posted on 12/06/2011 10:53:08 AM PST by Vaduz
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To: dfwgator

You program for a living and you use Apple over Linux?


67 posted on 12/06/2011 11:00:36 AM PST by nickcarraway
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Comment #68 Removed by Moderator

To: nickcarraway

Actually in my office I use Linux Ubuntu, and an XP box. But at home, when I connect remotely, I use my Mac to connect to those boxes.


69 posted on 12/06/2011 12:45:47 PM PST by dfwgator
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To: nickcarraway

Well, when I can use XCode on Linux, let me know.


70 posted on 12/06/2011 12:47:18 PM PST by dfwgator
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To: roaddog727

You want to rethink the CAD on iPad grip.

From Autodesk’s website:

Extend AutoCAD to Web & Mobile Devices

The AutoCAD® WS web and mobile application for AutoCAD® software lets you view, edit, and share DWG™ drawings through a web browser or mobile device. Now you have the freedom to work virtually anywhere and with almost anyone. Store AutoCAD drawings and project files in an easy-to-access online workspace. View and edit your designs online or on your mobile device. Share and collaborate easily with others; there’s no software required, and it’s free*.

Watch AutoCAD WS Videos on Our YouTube Channel

Online DWG viewer—Access your AutoCAD drawings from anywhere. All you need is a web browser.
Web-based CAD—Edit drawings online using many familiar and intuitive drawing and editing tools.
CAD for mobile devices—Work on AutoCAD drawings directly from your Apple® iPad™, iPhone®, or Google Android™ device.
No software required—Invite team members to review and edit DWG drawings online.
Collaborate in real time—Conduct online design reviews with participants in multiple locations.
Track and manage changes—Record changes to designs in a timeline for version control and auditing.
Edit Offline—Work with your DWG files offline without a 3G or Wi-Fi connection from your mobile device.

I have a friend who uses it for on-site visits.


71 posted on 12/06/2011 1:13:24 PM PST by AFreeBird
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To: SeekAndFind

Mainframes rule!


72 posted on 12/06/2011 1:18:35 PM PST by Revolting cat! (Let us prey!)
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To: SeekAndFind

NO keyboard puter is the dumbest ideer I ever hoid! It’s like the no disk puters. You end up carrying it and an external disk, and an external keyboard and a power supply, which all together take up more space and weight than a laptop. But hey, you got yourself a lightweight pocket size tablet. It’s all marketing, folks!


73 posted on 12/06/2011 1:23:34 PM PST by Revolting cat! (Let us prey!)
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To: dfwgator
I have a holgram-enabled droid that comes complete with "blue chick."


74 posted on 12/06/2011 1:29:29 PM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: Larry Lucido
"blue chick" is way cool. All I have is the "blue screen of death".


75 posted on 12/06/2011 2:28:49 PM PST by deoetdoctrinae (Gun-Free zones are playgrounds for felons)
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To: Vaduz

Copying what? The data packets? The IP address? The MAC address?

What encryption are you using? WPA2-PSK? Is the SSID being broadcast by the WAP? Is MAC filtering enabled?

While none of those are foolproof, they make for a pretty secure environment. I’d be more worried about someone yanking my supposedly sensitive printout right off the network printer before I got there.


76 posted on 12/06/2011 2:56:38 PM PST by Future Snake Eater (Don't stop. Keep moving!)
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To: SeekAndFind

Oh, yeah. By the time I add a real keyboard, etc., to the thing, I have......Oh, yeah, a laptop, only more awkward, and less powerful and convenient. Sounds like a plan.


77 posted on 12/06/2011 3:52:04 PM PST by Still Thinking (Freedom is NOT a loophole!)
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To: SeekAndFind

Should have known this guy was a dillweed poser when his link to “beautiful laptops” is about a Mac! Macs do have some things to recommend them, but beauty isn’t it.


78 posted on 12/06/2011 3:53:42 PM PST by Still Thinking (Freedom is NOT a loophole!)
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To: SeekAndFind

I am posting from a toshiba thrive tablet. It has full size ports. I hook it up to my tv and watch youtube. I did not type this message, I dictated it on my tablet.

Life is good.


79 posted on 12/06/2011 4:19:39 PM PST by Mountain Bike Vomit Carnage (Not a lemming.)
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To: SeekAndFind

I am posting from a toshiba thrive tablet. It has full size ports. I hook it up to my tv and watch youtube. I did not type this message, I dictated it on my tablet.

Life is good.


80 posted on 12/06/2011 4:19:57 PM PST by Mountain Bike Vomit Carnage (Not a lemming.)
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