Updated 4:11 pm E.S.T. We just wrapped up yet another engaging Twitter chat on the state of the PC and whether rumors that its days were over were true. Channel experts from Microsoft, Lenovo and IDC joined us in putting the rumors to rest. The conclusion? It seems that the participants of the chat all agreed that the PC will live long and prosper. Phew! As if we didn’t have enough legacy systems to deal with! A special thanks to our guest experts and community participants for an insightful discussion. Make sure to join us in our next Twitter chat, August 27, 12-1pm E.S.T.!
Is the PC dead, or have reports of it been greatly exaggerated?
According to Gartner, overall PC shipments are in decline. Desktops especially are losing their lustre as the market is awash with newer, sleeker form factors such as razor-thin notebooks, hybrid PCs, and tablets. Add to all that the emergence of wearable technology into the computing space, and that multi-bay tower desktop PC is starting to look like a fossil.
But are businesses still using those fossils to fuel their high performance needs? When it comes to tasks like 3D modeling, big data analysis, or AutoCAD design work, a desktop PC still offers the most power under the hood. So is there still a place for the PC in this mobile world?
That’s what we’ll be discussing at our Twitter chat on July 23, noon to 1 PM EST using the hashtag #CDNchats. Join us and guest experts from several PC vendors that are talking about how they’re adapting to change in this supposed post-PC era.
This chat will be moderated by the Canadian Channel Chiefs Council (C4), a non-profit association that is the voice of technology channel professionals in Canada and works in association with CDN. Follow @CDNChannelChief now to get updates about the chat and other related news. We will also be joined by the following guest experts:
 Craig Taylor | Craig holds the strategic role of Client Executive within the Lenovo Channels Organization. He is actively involved in assisting customers and business partners realize the benefits of reducing an organization’s total cost of IT ownership by leveraging Lenovo‘s differentiated products and services. |
 Jason Brommet | Jason (Jay) leads the team that is responsible for driving the Commercial Channel Strategy and Programs for Microsoft in Canada, from Small Business through to Enterprise, across all partner business models and lines of business, as well as a specific focus on the Surface Commercial Channel. |
 Tim Brunt | Tim Brunt is the Program Manager for IDC’s Canadian Quarterly PC Tracker program. In this role, he is engaged in analyzing current market trends, business planning, business and consumer buyer behaviour as well as forecasting the performance of the PC industry. |
Never taken part in a Twitter chat before? No problem, this video will tell you everything you need to know.
You can now see what questions will be asked below. So save the date and see you there!
Q1 What are some causes shaping the marketplace perception where customers consider the PC to be dead? #CDNchats
#CDNchats To PC or Not to PC is like the Q on whether to have a landline at home or cell. There will always be a market, albeit declining
— Sherif Sheta (@sherifsheta) July 23, 2015
A1 Evolution is changing definition of a PC. The traditional #squarebox PC may be “dying” however personal computers are evolving #CDNchats
— Craig Taylor (@CraigatLenovo) July 23, 2015
A1: Equally, the market is driving a redefinition of “computing”, but there are still strong use cases for tradn’l PCs. #CDNchats
— Jason Brommet (@jbrommet) July 23, 2015
I am using a PC to type this. #CDNchats
— IDC Canada (@idccanada) July 23, 2015
A1 There’s market saturation. Who doesn’t own one these days? #CDNchats
— Dave Yin (@yindavid) July 23, 2015
I agree with @jbrommet the industry has to redefine itself with new, interesting form factors going forward #cdnchats
— Paolo Del Nibletto (@PaoloCDN) July 23, 2015
Q2 What evidence exist that show the traditional PC or notebook is not (and should not be) dying out? #CDNchats
A2: This may sound silly, but all you need to do is look around an office, or your local coffee shop #CDNchats
— Jason Brommet (@jbrommet) July 23, 2015
A2 We all still have a PC; either we’re stuck in purgatory or the PC lives. Shipment growth has tapered but we’re still buying PCs #CDNchats
— Jeff Jedras (@JeffJedrasITW) July 23, 2015
Content still needs to be created Have you ever tried to compose a lengthy email on a phone or tablet? How about a ppt pres #CDNchats
— IDC Canada (@idccanada) July 23, 2015
Content still needs to be created Have you ever tried to compose a lengthy email on a phone or tablet? How about a ppt pres #CDNchats
— IDC Canada (@idccanada) July 23, 2015
#cdnchats My own habits are a good indicator, as I’m not an early adopter
— fawnannan (@fawnannan) July 23, 2015
.@sherifsheta Declining, but not dying. And I prefer maturing. We still use PCs; just not as much as not for everything #CDNchats
— Jeff Jedras (@JeffJedrasITW) July 23, 2015
Q3 How are customers using PCs and notebooks today? #CDNchats
A3 Honestly, they are using them the way they always have #CDNchats
— Jason Brommet (@jbrommet) July 23, 2015
74% of consumers have no plans to replace their desktop until it dies. 60.6% would replace it ASAP if it dies.#CDNchats
— IDC Canada (@idccanada) July 23, 2015
A3 Users are looking for #onedevice for work and play. Products that are flexible and adapt to the users style will #wininmarket. #CDNchats
— Craig Taylor (@CraigatLenovo) July 23, 2015
#CDNchats PCs r used 2 create content, mobile devices to consume it.
— Sherif Sheta (@sherifsheta) July 23, 2015
A3. For Twitter chats ; ) btw..what device is everyone using right now? #CDNchats
— Wolston Lobo (@WolstonL) July 23, 2015
Q4 How is mobile technology in the workplace shaping the demand of PCs? #CDNchats
I can say its shaping the demand of SECURITY! #CDNchats
— fawnannan (@fawnannan) July 23, 2015
A4 From a Microsoft POV, focus is on mobility of experience, irrespective of the device #Cdnchats
— Jason Brommet (@jbrommet) July 23, 2015
It hasn’t had a dramatic impact. Technology has with fewer moving parts to break and the devices themselves last longer. #CDNchats
— IDC Canada (@idccanada) July 23, 2015
A4 As workplace becomes less location dependent use of PCs will stay constant, security needs increase; refresh rate is variable #cdnchats
— Elaine Mah (@e_mah) July 23, 2015
the PC is becoming increasingly irrelevant. archaic-thinking companies are taking too long to make the switch to laptop/tablet #cdnchats
— corey herscu (@coreyherscu) July 23, 2015
A4 For some workers, a mobile device is right choice. For others, its a laptop or desktop. It’s the right tool for the right job #CDNchats
— Jeff Jedras (@JeffJedrasITW) July 23, 2015
Q5 What kinds of jobs and/or customers will continue to require a traditional PC? Will this change? #CDNchats
For now, financial people that require the ability to view spreadsheets #CDNchats
— fawnannan (@fawnannan) July 23, 2015
#CDNchats those who need more computing power: art creation, financial models, regulated industry
— Sherif Sheta (@sherifsheta) July 23, 2015
A5 It’s not just graphic designers / engineers who need a device with power. All employees these days must be #mastermultitaskers. #CDNchats
— Craig Taylor (@CraigatLenovo) July 23, 2015
A5: Any job requiring writing will still need a pc/laptop, imo. But I’m old. #cdnchats
— Samantha Goldsilver (@Sam_HandG) July 23, 2015
A5 Anything that requires processing power. In this area, you just need the larger form factor. #cdnchats
— Dave Yin (@daveyinCDN) July 23, 2015
A5: Call centres for sure, shop floor workers need data now, healthcare with patients PCs need to deliver a better experience #CDNchats
— Paolo Del Nibletto (@PaoloCDN) July 23, 2015
Q6 What qualities of PCs make them irreplaceable by mobile or portable computers? #CDNchats
A6 Ease of entering text and creating documents. Until voice recognition is perfected, PCs are superior for most content creation #CDNchats
— Jeff Jedras (@JeffJedrasITW) July 23, 2015
#2in1 is a great form factor #justsayin RT @daveyinCDN: @coreyherscu Interesting. Do you think companies should move to 2-in-1s? #cdnchats
— Elaine Mah (@e_mah) July 23, 2015
A6 The new breed of mobile PCs provide #FLEXIBILITY. The convenience of a tablet with the power, ports and battery life of a PC. #CDNchats
— Craig Taylor (@CraigatLenovo) July 23, 2015
#CDNchats Would never say irreplaceable. I would embrace mobility and treat PC like a landline phone: fit for purpose and that’s it.
— Sherif Sheta (@sherifsheta) July 23, 2015
A6: For me it’s the personal side of the PC. Notebook is yours & private. Shut the clamshell down its like closing the door #CDNchats
— Paolo Del Nibletto (@PaoloCDN) July 23, 2015
A6 Moore’s law isn’t in favour of PCs. #CDNchats
— Tamer Marzouk (@tamer_marzouk) July 23, 2015
Q7 How will the change in demand for PCs impact the channel? How should the channel respond? #CDNchats
A7 You’re not selling boxes, you’re selling business solutions. Understand each workers business process & match the right device #CDNchats
— Jeff Jedras (@JeffJedrasITW) July 23, 2015
A7: It’s still about solutions & solving problems.The PC can also be part of it. The channel should not exclude any of its options #CDNchats
— Paolo Del Nibletto (@PaoloCDN) July 23, 2015
A7 As device market continues to shift, channel needs to look at services #CDNchats http://t.co/ubPHI7i5K2
— Elaine Mah (@e_mah) July 23, 2015
A7 The channel can impact the change in demand. Managed Desktop Services is more than on the radar for corp Canada #CDNchats
— IDC Canada (@idccanada) July 23, 2015
#Awesomechannelpartners need to adapt their services offering to complement the evolution of the PC to a mobile workplace. #CDNchats
— Craig Taylor (@CraigatLenovo) July 23, 2015
A7. The channel should embrace it with open arms. Innovation is a key differentiator. #CDNchats
— Wolston Lobo (@WolstonL) July 23, 2015
So true @jbrommet – #partnerscale and #partneropportunity are the ticket to ride #CDNchats http://t.co/gynyfDvDep
— Elaine Mah (@e_mah) July 23, 2015
Q8 In what ways has the cloud evolved PCs and notebooks? #CDNchats
A8 Coming back to my earlier comment, Cloud is orchestrating the mobility of the experience #CDNchats
— Jason Brommet (@jbrommet) July 23, 2015
A8: Your desktop now can follow you wherever you go. Reliable & predictable look & feel. #cdnchats
— Paolo Del Nibletto (@PaoloCDN) July 23, 2015
The cloud extends computing power, real estate and more into a thin client model. All good. #CDNchats
— fawnannan (@fawnannan) July 23, 2015
A8 The cloud is producing new software enabled technologies – allowing hardware co’s to continue to innovate #greatclouddevices. #CDNchats
— Craig Taylor (@CraigatLenovo) July 23, 2015
A8 Cloud means our digital experience is no longer associated with a single device, but connected to a ubiquitous digital profile #CDNchats
— Brian Jackson (@brianjjackson) July 23, 2015
Q9 What do these trends mean for businesses? Will they have to become mobile first? #CDNchats
A9 No one answer fits all businesses. Will depend on your market, your workers’ roles, and your security & compliance requirements #CDNchats
— Jeff Jedras (@JeffJedrasITW) July 23, 2015
A9 I’d challenge the question and state that most businesses and individuals, already are #mobilefirst #CDNchats
— Jason Brommet (@jbrommet) July 23, 2015
A9 No one answer fits all businesses. Will depend on your market, your workers’ roles, and your security & compliance requirements #CDNchats
— Jeff Jedras (@JeffJedrasITW) July 23, 2015
A9 In the drive to be productive first, businesses will need to consider mobility as part of that solution #CDNchats
— Elaine Mah (@e_mah) July 23, 2015
A9 to be part of the game, mobility isn’t an optional choice. #CDNchats
— Tamer Marzouk (@tamer_marzouk) July 23, 2015
Q10 What’s the future roadmap look like for PCs and notebooks? Is there still a place for them in this mobile world? #CDNchats
A10: Yes but vendors need to keep innovating to stay relevant and on pace with customer wants and wishes #cdnchats
— Paolo Del Nibletto (@PaoloCDN) July 23, 2015
I think a ‘device agnostic’ approach has to be taken with digital content – same experience for mobile or PCs #CDNchats
— Brian Jackson (@brianjjackson) July 23, 2015
#Cloud is driving device innovation, and devices can drive #Cloud innovation – #IoT is great example #cdnchats
— Jose Romero (@JoseRomero_MX) July 23, 2015
A10: I’d like to think a connected mobile world has no need for PC’s/notebooks. But, doing development or creativity work does #CDNchats
— Edwin Frondozo (@drgnmeme) July 23, 2015
A10 We’ll see continued innovation, new form factors that converge experiences & create new ones #CDNchats
— Jason Brommet (@jbrommet) July 23, 2015