But putting all that aside, the PC manufacturers need to support Windows 8 because it’s the platform that will finally bring integration of desktop PCs with Tablets¹ – especially in an Enterprise environment.  There’s also a good list of new features that will ensure some to upgrade.  Plus, there are millions of new PCs and Laptops to sell, every year.

Windows 8 is still relevant and it will save the PC business.

Post from: Building IT

Will Windows 8 Save the PC Business?

1. As demonstrated in Microsoft’s Build Conference 2011

Toshiba Portege Z830 Ultrathin Laptop

Taking the headline from Time Business article, the PC industry is certainly in a different place now.  The PC, aka Microsoft based laptops and desktops, have always been the corporate standard for productivity machines. On the Enterprise level, corporate users demand Microsoft products (ie. Powerpoint) suites, VPN to access internal servers behind the firewall, Remote Desktop for Windows servers, and in some cases, multiple monitors for multitasking needs.

However, there’s been grumbling about the tablets taking over Enterprise issued PCs and Laptops – mainly due to juggernaut Apple’s iPad.  In response, there are now many more tablet offerings from RIM, Toshiba, ACER, or ASUS.  But such ventures do not always end up well. HP pulled the Touchpad after 6 weeks of production!¹ That’s just the start – who knows who else will quit the quest to quell the iPad.

There’s a glimmer of hope to revitalize the PC business: the Ultra-thin laptops are coming.  Recently, Toshiba has just announced a good looking one called the Z830 coming this November.  Lenovo has an offering. Even ACER is in the mix.

Just in time too.  There’s a need the lightest portable laptop that will not break one’s back. It helps that it looks as cool as the Macbook Air.

One problem though: price.  It’s understandable why Apple charges way too much for the Macbooks – they’ve historically done this since the Apple II days². But the PC should not cost as much. To be more competitive, there’s an expectation the PC Ultrathin laptops to be (much) cheaper than the Macbook Air, if they want to sell more of it. Kind of like the HP Touchpad fire sale.

So here’s hoping the evolution of the PC is towards something more useful, powerful, affordable, and highly portable.  There’s still life in the PC world.

Post from: Building IT

The PC is Evolving

1. Like the old saying from Chrysler’s Lee Iacocca: “Lead, follow, or GET OUT OF THE WAY!”  It’s easier to follow the leader. In HP’s case, they sure did got out of the way.
2. 1980′s

Traditionally, a mobile phone is used to communicate voice conversations.   The question now is who needs mobile voice?  Texting has becoming a popular way of doing things in Asia and Europe.  North America is catching up.  Then there’s the popularity of Facebook and Twitter, where Internet connection is required for status updates.  It’s becoming more than just a 1-to-1 communication.  It’s a broadcast of information.

To make Internet capable mobile devices, first the portable technologies have to converge.  Laptops have to be small enough for maximum portability.  Cell phones must be powerful enough to run like computers.  There are plenty of companies like Apple, Toshiba, Dell, and Nokia who are trying to close that gap.

It’s no surprise Apple announced the iPad.  They’re touting it as a reading device, but people know it can be much more.  Its main communication devices are WiFi and 3G.  No voice capability.  However, Apple has also recently allowed VoIP over the 3G network, so apps like Fring or Skype can provide voice calling.  Similarly, AT&T now allows Slingbox, TV anywhere, to go over 3G network to iPhone users (eventually the iPad).  So Apple’s strategy is definitely IP based communication.  Other companies will (or have already) follow suit.

This may sound familiar.  In 1998, there was much hype for Voice-Over-IP (VoIP) in the Telecom industry.  Huge investments were made to lay down fiber optics infrastructure for faster data transfers.  It took a while for that investment to bear fruit, and it looks like the consumers are finally starting to see the benefits.

Interestingly enough, wireless Internet connectivity it not widely available.  But that’s changing, thanks to innovation in wireless technology, such as WiMax or LTE.  It will reach the rural areas where Internet access is scarce.  Also, the price needs to go down in order to make it economically feasible.  Maybe the government should step in?

The direction is to get everyone connected.  Mobile Internet can finally become an integral part of the way people do business and go about their personal lives.  It’s the future of communication – on everyone’s hand.

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Future of Mobile Data Networks

Google did patent the setup, so it won’t take long before other data centers converts to it.  It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

Intro video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRwPSFpLX8I

Google summit videos:

Part 1:

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho1GEyftpmQ

Part 2:

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m03vdyCuWS0

Part 3:

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91I_Ftsd-7s

More info on Google’s Blog.

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Google Data Center Efficiency

Solid State Drives are good for IT support in many ways:

1. No moving parts.  It means better reliability:  Less prone to crashes due to shock or mishandling.
2. Replacement is safe and easy: just unplug and play.  I suspect it may require the device to be turned off first before removing it.  Otherwise, a device with SSDs will need mechanisms to handle hot swapping, either by doing graceful stand-by or friendly warning screen.
3. Low energy consumption means low heat.  Heat causes more problems in Notebook computers circuitry, ranging from fan failures to circuit board overheating.  It means fewer problems with the overall electronic unit.
4. Quiet operation.  Less people will complain about the noise.

Trying to beat Toshiba into the market is Intel’s version of SSDs.  It looks like they’re releasing the smaller capacity 160 GB version.  They’re also slated to release in 2009.  Competition is good because for the technology to gain mass adoption, it needs to go down in price.  First releases will not be as cheap, so business use will be the initial target market.  As a consumer, in this difficult economic condition, it’ll be hard pressed for me to buy one for home use if it’s not below $200.  I’m comparing to a regular 2.5″ hard drive for notebooks, selling around $60 for 320 GB capacity.

My hope is the use of SSDs in Smartphones.  I’m dreaming of an all-in-one “Computer Phone” with plenty of storage capacity.  The next few years will be an exciting development for portable electronics.

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Solid State Storage