WidowPC Gaming Computers - Computer Hardware Trends for 2008
2008 will be about smaller, lighter and -- most
importantly -- more convenience. For the first time in history, we're not
so into power unless we're using for something specific, like computer games,
CAD, photo and video editing, etc. Since, the vast majority of people use
their computer for email, browsing the Internet, and some occasional word
processing, mainstream technology will focus becoming smaller, lighter and more
convenient.
More Convenience Means Form Over Function
Mass appeal is no longer about power, it's about convenience. Hardware has
become powerful enough to run everything the majority of us need: docs, email,
web, pics and songs. We've now reached the point at the hardware will be
as small as it can get, we -- the humans -- are the limiting factor. Our
fingers stay the same size no matter how small the internal nuts and bolts
become. For now, the size of our devices is limited by the size of our
fingers. For instance, large fingered individuals already have problems
with many cell phones.
The Asus EeePC is a good example of a device
this is as small as it can get. With it's 7 inch widescreen, flash memory
and Linux operation system, it is one of the flagships for this trend for small
size, fast access (boot time) and convenience. At a convenient retail
price of roughly $300, this is technology that will become pervasive
quickly. The notebook will no longer be thought of as a tool for the
traveling bigshot or the coffee house workforce. It will be
everywhere. It will be in schools, in the hands of children, inner city
housing projects, even illegal immigrants will become citizens of the 'net wth
this new pervasive, inexpensive technology.
The small size of the screens of these devices
will be something we are willing to put up with because we will dock with larger
screens that we will keep at our homes and offices. The less powerful,
energy efficient processors will be something that is transparent to most users,
since they won't care as long as the system has a long battery life, boots
quickly and is able to quickly jump on the web.
 Although,
we'll want some storage most consumers will be happy keeping their tunes,
videos, emails and documents in an online storage location. You can
already store large attachments in online locations for free, Google's Gmail
being the most prevalent example. Google's acquisition of Picasa now
allows those Gmail attachment and Picasa photos to be stored in one
location. Look for Google to continue to lead the charge into
free-of-charge online storage, by adding Google documents, Google reader
(ebooks) and video (per Google acquisition of YouTube) to this online storage
bin.
By the end of 2008, many homes will have
adapted network attached storage (NAS) devices that allow them to store movies,
songs and other large media files in a central location at a convenient
price. Currently, this is done by purchasing the wireless solution and the
hard drive separately. However, in 2008 we'll see commonly see these
components merged into a single wirelessly networked hard drive at a convenient
price. A 750GB hard drive currently runs $160 and a
wireless enclosure
about $70. So, for only $240, it's easy to see what networked, central
storage will be a big mover in 2008.
We, as consumers, are demanding that technology mesh
itself to their worlds instead of expecting them to mold their lives around the
newest tech. This emergence will show itself in two main forms: user
interface and all-in-one solutions. The success of Nintendo's Wii and
Apple's iPhone show the dominance of technologies that use natural, convenient
human movement to interface with electronics.
Advances in Gaming Hardware
Gamers will continue to see gaming software demands leap ahead of hardware
capability. DirectX 10 allows game developers to create visual effects
that will require more and more hardware to keep pace. Intel and Nvidia
seem to have a firm hold on this niche and will continue to take first prize in
this category throughout 2008.
Vista will become widely adapted with the
launch of Microsoft's first service pack for Vista. Most expert level
Microsoft customers, such as corporations and gamers, have held back on adopting
Vista simply because it was released with too many drawbacks. Vista
Service Pack 1 is due to be released soon. We can expect to see a high
level of Vista adoption this year, which will lead to more game development
specifically for DirectX 10 and Vista.
With both Crytek's Crysis
and FunCom's Age of Conan
pushing DirectX 10 graphics, 2008 will continue the trend of games pushing the
state of leading edge computer hardware. The major distguishing factor,
this year, will be the dependence on network performance for good game
play. Massively multiplayer games will continue to grow the number of
gamers who routinely play online with other players. As the base of online
gamers grows, expect to see more and more choices available. Age of Conan
is interesting in that it is intended mainly for a mature audience, including
large amounts of gore and adult overtones consistent with the Conan series of
novels and movies. Online gaming will acquire a broader definition as more
people become comfortable with it. For instance, Webkinz
were one of the more popular gifts this year because preteens are comfortable
with the Internet and attracted to a toy that allows them to interact with
others online. Enhanced network cards made specifically for online gaming will
be popular as well as powerful video cards with plenty of dedicated memory demanded
by DirectX 10 optimization.
No matter what the trends of the year will be,
innovation will be rewarded as consumers become more comfortable with the
technology in general. This makes 2008 an exciting year to be working in
the computer industry.
Best wishes for the new year,
Joshua McClure
Founder, WidowPC
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