beginning of the end for upgrades

We, as an enthusiasts forum, think this is all a big deal, but I doubt if the vast majority of computer users care one way or another. Most people are afraid of opening up their computer, and if it breaks, they throw it away and get a new one.

crn3371 wrote in post #15330733
I doubt if the vast majority of computer users care one way or another.

I think most will begin to care when the battery is also sealed in the unit and the storage is 100% cloud based.

Not a big deal until you have no internet connection and need to access your data.

I think the "user base" is going to settle out to a think bed of "consumers" for whom a tablet with an attachable flat keyboard and cloud everything is totally sufficient. If they lose it, they don't care much because they don't create anything they care that much about (nobody is going to write "War and Peace" on a tablet).

Atop that will be a thinner layer of casual consumer/creators; they will not depend on cloud storage because they care about keeping what they create. That's your "all in one" market with an external drive.

Atop that will be an even thinner layer of serious creators who will always want machines that don't compromise in some area or another. They will want a choice of major peripherals.

And then there will be a topping of those who just want sheer power and full choice.

isoMorphic wrote in post #15331844
I think most will begin to care when the battery is also sealed in the unit and the storage is 100% cloud based.

Not a big deal until you have no internet connection and need to access your data.

Or the company with all your data banishes you without a warning or any recourse.

isoMorphic wrote in post #15331844
I think most will begin to care when the battery is also sealed in the unit and the storage is 100% cloud based.

Not a big deal until you have no internet connection and need to access your data.

Exactly. I travel a lot for work and I won't be able to do much on a plane. I know some planes have Wifi but that is an extra $5-$10 a flight I would have to spend to do my work. Cloud is a great idea to sync info, but not keep everything there and not access it without internet.
Like for example, Evernote, great tool for me to keep my work hours while I travel and keep my travel and personal life in order. It syncs between my tablet, personal phone, personal laptop, work phone and work laptop but yet, I can still use it without internet connection and I can sync up when I get internet back again.

isoMorphic wrote in post #15331844
I think most will begin to care when the battery is also sealed in the unit and the storage is 100% cloud based.

Not a big deal until you have no internet connection and need to access your data.

I don't really care much if Intel goes with non removable CPU. I work in IT (small company). I've never upgraded CPUs (only) nor have I ever seen a 'fried' CPU that needs to be replaced. I will be really p****d if hard disk and memory modules are not removable (or upgradeable). I can't imagine having to buy the whole MoBo, CPU, RAM, HD just to upgrade either the RAM or storage.

There will always be "clones" for us to piece together and somebody making them. Like JDR Microdevices in San Jose where 30 years ago I bought my first IBM clone with a 5M HDD, later upgraded to a V20 Chip, Hercules graphics card, VGA card, more RAM, yadda yadda yadda. Or places like Halted Specialties selling bits and pieces from recycled old PC"s and electronics.

Have faith.....

I've used PCs for 30 years, built a half dozen, bought a half dozen more fully assembled, I'd consider myself a power user. I used to concern myself about possible CPU upgrade paths until about 5 years ago when I realized that I had never done that, still haven't to this day. I get a new CPU I get a new mobo too and sell the old pair or reuse them in new box for another use. I wouldn't care at all if CPUs were permanently attached to the mobo, in fact it would eliminate the hassle of thermal compound, wrestling the chip into the socket, worrying about static and bent pins, etc, etc. But having memory and storage permanently attached is something I would never consider and never want.

Some news, not sure how I would take it since it's from Engadget. But Intel denies rumors of CPU soldered to the MoBo.
http://www.engadget.co​m …intel-lga-socket-promise/

One thing I looked at when I bought my laptop is the HD and RAM and see if they are removable. And found out 95% of all ultrabooks have soldered RAM and HD so those are out my searches.

RHChan84 wrote in post #15334326
Some news, not sure how I would take it since it's from Engadget. But Intel denies rumors of CPU soldered to the MoBo.
http://www.engadget.co​m …intel-lga-socket-promise/

One thing I looked at when I bought my laptop is the HD and RAM and see if they are removable. And found out 95% of all ultrabooks have soldered RAM and HD so those are out my searches.

I can--and will--live with that on an ultrabook, but an ultrabook would never be my primary editing computer.

I picked up a laptop that is slightly thicker then an ultra book and I put a 480gb SSD and 8gb RAM with 5 hours of actual battery life that can do light room and Photoshop pretty smooth. Also with a 1600x900 display.

RHChan84 wrote in post #15334326
But Intel denies rumors

Peddling backwards in hopes of not having to watch it's stock prices get pummeled into nothingness. Just think with all this press how many enthusiasts are already planning the move over to AMD. I'm sure there has been enough blow back from consumers to make them think really hard about how foolish this would be.

Oh come on. You think a handful of throwbacks should be enough to dictate this kind of strategy for Intel? The vast, vast majority of users won't care or else they will like the result (smaller, cheaper, whatever). PCs are appliances. Most people toss the whole thing out (hard drives included!) and just buy new. Why go to the expense of making user-upgradeable machines for that market? Those buyers never complained when video, networking and USB went onto the MB. Smaller case, great!

This looks like absolutely typical resistance to change which will end up being a non-issue.

What percentage of the PC market do you think even reads a PC mag or website? I haven't in years and years. I just don't care about that stuff; I just want it to work.

The market will meet the needs of the specialty builders. If it doesn't, it means there is no such market.

AntonLargiader wrote in post #15337069
What percentage of the PC market do you think even reads a PC mag or website? I haven't in years and years. I just don't care about that stuff; I just want it to work..

Apple users = almost zero, other users, more significant than you might imagine. It would not surprise me that this is also very age related, the older you get, the less likely you are to put your own system together, but for anyone under say 35~40 or a gamer you're likly to find many why would prefer to build their own system.

gjl711 wrote in post #15337122
Apple users = almost zero, other users, more significant than you might imagine. It would not surprise me that this is also very age related, the older you get, the less likely you are to put your own system together, but for anyone under say 35~40 or a gamer you're likly to find many why would prefer to build their own system.

And don't forget businesses who still expect to be able to perform some repairs and upgrades on desktop PCs.