Legal Research

The Desktop PC is Dead?

From Lifehacker:

"Desktop sales fell by 23 percent last year across the computer industry. In the U.S., 80 percent of sales went to notebooks. Gizmodo declares the desktop dead, but we're wondering if you see a future for non-mobile systems."

Both the Lifehacker and Gizmodo postings are interesting.

Clearly, libraries love their desktops. They're easier to chain down, lock down, CONTROL. They're easier to manage and clean all that nasty personal usage off them. They even fit in those old carrells that everyone despised. And we can make them sit near the electrical outlets whether that's a nice place to be or not.

So, desktops will be libraries for many year to come.

Of course, the real question is how laptop friendly is your library. How many tables have easy to access electrical? Can you plug in to the broadband? Can you get on the WiFi as easily as in a hotel lobby? Are the plus easy to find? Do you have a map at the front desk telling people where they're hidden? Can I borrow a powerbar so we can share?

How many tables have automatic battery chargers? (You know the ones that don't require you to plus in... the wireless rechargers). How many lockers do you have with an outlet in them so I can recharge my laptop or phone or Touch without having to babysit it like a newborn? Where can I safely stow my devices in your library if I am in town or on campus all day? Can I work with others and their laptops and devices in a group? Are the tables and chairs set up somewhere to that easily?

Does your website display well on my laptop screen, Touch, iPhone, whatever? How about your licensed resources? How about your OPAC?

So, how device and laptop friendly is your library?

Can I use your printers from my laptop? I can in hotels and airports so I expect to do so everywhere.

Can I project from my laptop on to meeting room screens and monitors? Hmmm, can I borrow the cables and an adaptor for my Mac or PC?

Wireless WiFi is just the start...

Stephen

Full post as published by Stephen's Lighthouse on July 06, 2009 (boomark / email).