Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft, and Paul Otellini, CEO of Intel, argue that predictions about the end of personal computers are premature, as PCs are now equipped with many new features to remain competitive in the rich digital device market.
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| Source: Defendingthenet |
Gates and Otellini affirmed in the Wall Street Journal that computers will become the hub for a multitude of digital devices. Their statement came after market research firm IDC reported that global PC shipments had decreased from 15.9% last year to just 12.9% in the first quarter of this year. Many technology experts believe that the popularity of consumer electronics such as Apple’s iPod, digital cameras, and video recorders could render traditional computers obsolete.
However, some market analysts believe that the current stagnation in PC demand is because consumers and businesses are waiting for the release of Windows Vista to determine the appropriate configuration.
“PCs are not just performing traditional functions like word processing and spreadsheets. Today, they are communication devices, radios, TVs, movie theaters, and photo albums“, Gates and Otellini stated.
The two also noted that last year, sales of laptops featuring Intel Centrino processors running on Microsoft Windows XP outpaced those of the iPod.
“Where do people go to share photos from their cameras, download music and videos, synchronize contacts, schedules, and emails on handheld devices, or search for episodes they missed last night? Of course, they go to their computers“, Otellini concluded.
