Declining PC sales isn’t much of a new topic. It seems every time a new technology evolves, PC’s take a backseat and eventually reemerge. Desktops and laptops aren’t going anywhere and here’s how I know.
Even though sales of new computers have declined I’ve noticed a huge number of people getting their old stuff fixed. Five years ago we wouldn’t have dreamed of fixing a five year old computer, but today five year old computers rival current technology. In fact, computer technology really hasn’t changed much in almost 8 years.
Computer technology went through rapid growth until about 2010 when technology reached a plateau. Until then, purchasing the newest computer meant you were buying something with an impending expiration. Nowadays we can plan to own a computer for many years with normal maintenance.
Informed customers know a good used computer will provide the same level of service as a new one. Before I get a thousand emails debating me, I’m not implying that all used computers fit the bill for every level of user – that’s simply not true. However, the majority of users can expect a used computer to serve them the same as new for several years.
A trend I’ve seen since tablets hit the mainstream about 10 years ago is that people use portable devices until they can’t. Either the portable device wears out, can no longer perform a task or people stop using them because of limitations. When this happens they dust off their trusty PC and put it back in service.
Everyday I hear stories about customers who stashed their computers thinking they’d never use them again. They need a resume or need to print and the trusty old computer with an actual keyboard comes back out. Chances are computer technology hasn’t changed much since they stored it away.
Lenovo, HP and Dell are the big three computer manufacturers. Over the years they’ve all fiddled with tablets and portable devices but have made PC’s their mainstay because the computer is the base of the technology portfolio. Tablets and phones should be backed up to a PC, as well PC’s should be used for data storage.
My secret is to invest in better technology when you make the initial PC purchase. Yes there are $200.00 laptops, but the majority of those are garbage. If you want your investment to go the distance invest $500.00 and get a good PC with a decent processor.
Someday PC’s will die off, but I don’t see that happening until portable devices can do the same as computers. It’s funny that a $1,000.00 phone can’t do half of what a $500.00 laptop can. Until phones catch up, I’m going to continue Facebooking on my phone and doing the rest of my chores on my trusty 6 year old computer.
(Jeromy Patriquin is the President of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. www.LocalComputerWiz.com.)