With current technology, 2014, can we do without a desktop computer?

[engine]

Whether it be a Microsoft-based OS, a Mac, Linux, or whatever, is it possible to do business without the power of a desktop PC?

I'm not entirely convinced.

The iPad, for example, is great for web browsing, ordering online, etc. The smartphone can do that, toO.
Cloud-based services mean our photos and files are backed up automatically, as long as you're "on-the-grid." It's all so easy.

Here's where things start to go wrong. Banking and accounting, printed copies of materials, spreadsheets, programming, word processing, etc.

I know, it's possible to do many of these things on a tablet computer, to a certain extent, but, really, can we get rid of our desktop just yet?

[aakk9999]

Oh, I can blind type on a normal keyboard. I find it painfully slow on a tablet. Even when an external keyboard is added to a tablet - not good as it is not big enough for blind typing.

So the tablet for me - for fun, light browsing, etc - yes.

Any work that required typing - not really. Even searching is slow on a tablet because of typing so for a more serious research PC is better.

[scooterdude]

Having used a laptop, a netbook, large phones for accessing the web and work for a while, I had cause to boot up my desk top which being the least modern pc, I had relegated to certain test duties.

Alas, it feels faster, smoother and is easier to use in most ways than the newer mobile devices.

So folks, please keep buying desktops, you know you like them

[lawman]

I have my desktop for programs that require a lot of horsepower to run such as video editing.

[herb]

I'm still getting email with: "pls excuse typos sent from my Rphone"

[moTi]

i think you make a false distinction. it's not about desktop vs tablet, it's keyboard vs touchscreen.

i live without a desktop machine since many years and never looked back. instead i've got a 12 inch subnotebook, as it was called back then. a device between a - at that time not yet available - netbook and a notebook. it's perfect for professional tasks everywhere - best used on a couch ;)

the whole issue really is about a quality standalone keyboard on the one hand and an unresponsive virtual touch keyboard on the other. to me, all those gadgets without a separate haptic keyboard where you mess around with your fingers on a screen is nothing more than a marketing gag for consumers only.

of course, smartphones are necessary concerning size and portability. but at least when it comes to tablets, a productive use case is barely given.

[Lame_Wolf]

I'll die before I give up my desktop.

[piatkow]

Maybe its because I learned to touch type but I really can't get on with a touch screen and I keep hitting the wrontg top row keys on a laptop. For business use I need a screen that I can use without eyestrain and a full sized keyboard. I am not bothered about the box that links the two as long as it is fast and runs all the programmes I need.

At the moment that still means using a Windows PC or laptop although my ancient Asus ee (bought on a whim when proper laptops were a lot more expensive than now in real terms) can handle the basic word processing and email with external keyboard and screen.