Since I can't figure out how to cram a full sized CPU into my tablet's casing, let alone the liquid cooling, I'm not particularly worried personally about all the forecasts of the traditional PC's demise. Maybe it's my lack of respect for journalists & the media, or maybe it's my pragmatic nature that tosses hype along with conspiracy theories in the dustbin, along with everything else I can't make practical use of?
At any rate, referencing the ZDNet article [ http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/64994 ]: "Intel to leave desktop motherboard business by 2016", the last paragraph says: "... Intel is also looking to expand its Form Factor Reference Design (FFRD) work it does with third-party OEM partners on developing new board designs for desktop PCs." Translation -- Intel's been doing a p*** poor job of designing motherboards so they haven't been selling an awful lot of them, so few in fact it's not worth their bother. PCWorld explains it a bit here: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2025926/intel-exits-the-desktop-motherboard-business-to-focus-on-new-form-factors.html
I have a harder time figuring out what Coles is saying with the Benchmark Reviews article [ http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/64997 ]: "Desktop PC: Intel Says the End is Near"... Quite a bit of self congratulatory, I Told You So involved, but I don't see too much else. I guess I'll focus on this: "What this means to consumers is that desktop PC enthusiasts will still have options, but only as many as vendors such as ASUS, GIGABYTE, and MSI can afford to produce." OK, how bad are things getting?
http://www.techpowerup.com/139308/ASRock-Third-Largest-Motherboard-Vendor.html
"Underdog, low-end, and ASUS-spinoff are some of the terms commonly associated with ASRock. Unbeknownst to many, ASRock has climbed up to the spot of the third largest PC motherboard vendor in terms of sales volumes. In its rather surprising ascent, ASRock displaced MSI and ECS. In terms of annual sales figures, ASUS emerged as the highest grossing motherboard vendor with 21.6 million units sales in calendar year 2010, followed by Gigabyte with 18 million units. Although Gigabyte showed strong prospects in 2010, at one point even matching top rival ASUS in terms of sales, the company slipped by competitive pricing by ASUS. ASRock currently has about 75-80% of its motherboard shipments mid-range and high-end models with price points at around US$50. Despite the company selling motherboards with a rather cheap price, its gross margin was still able to maintain at above 18-19%."
ASRock joined the likes of ASUS, Gigabyte, and others, in missing its motherboard sales target for 2012. According to the latest figures with DigiTimes, the company shipped 7.5 million motherboards in 2012, which is quite a bit short of its modest target of 9 million, given its 2011 shipments of 8 million.
http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/information-technology/20120801126663.htm
Bengaluru, Karnataka, August 1, 2012 /India PRwire/ -- Foxconn, world's leading manufacturer of computer components and systems, reported a 200% growth in the last one year, in its motherboard category. This was achieved due to the huge acceptability of its H61 series motherboard in the market.
1st, China subsidizes manufacturers so profit isn't always as necessary as keeping people employed [& relatively peaceful]. 2nd, in just ASRock's case 7.5 million is still 7.5 million -- there are a lot of products on the market that don't come close to that, and that 7.5 million is just one of several venders. 3rd, in the west we tend to forget the developing world, where PC use is only going to expand.
There are a lot of things Intel would like, & with AMD's troubles they may see more of their wishes coming true. Intel would like more profit, & they'd like to push more costs onto motherboard manufacturers -- that's where soldered on vs. socketed CPUs comes in. Prices will likely also go up. Customers won't/don't like either alternative, so Intel's CEO calls in the marketing & PR folks and has them start selling folks, so that while they'll still grumble, they'll also still buy -- plunking down the cash for an overpriced CPU might perhaps seem to hurt less if you're grateful there's even a CPU for you to buy.
Truth is, as long as there's an open market, it will sell solutions. It will sell tablets &/or laptops &/or netbooks &/or PCs etc. as long as people want to buy them. Netbooks for a while at least cannibalized laptop sales, just like some folks bought/buy laptops rather than PCs. Some people that bought tablets will in the future go with a smartphone instead, while others will choose something like the Kindle. Some will move from a laptop or a reader to a Droid or win8 tablet. Smartphones followed by tablets are the most portable, PCs the most powerful, laptops in between -- you're not going to satisfy someone that really needs a PC's power by selling them a tablet, any more than you're going to convince someone that a heavy, bulky, desktop replacement laptop is going to be as easy to carry as a Microsoft Surface. Marketing departments try because they're anonymous -- they'll never face an irate customer. Journalists &/or bloggers may try because 1) it's easiest to go with what you've been sold, 2) it's something for a lazy person to write about, &/or 3), you might generate more traffic & feedback by being outrageously wrong, than by writing the common sense truth. Yes, something better may come along to replace the PC, same as DVD players/recorders replaced the VCR, but we're not there yet, and if we were, what's the problem -- just buy the better replacement. Why worry?
