What has actually changed when you look at a laptop that is ten years old and today’s models? Contrary to popular belief, the answer is quite a bit.
Ten years ago, if you touched a laptop screen, you would probably get in trouble for getting your fingerprints on it. Since touchscreen computers have become commonplace, an entire category of flippy-flappy hybrid designs, like Microsoft’s Surface line, has emerged.
The coming decade already promises to bring much more innovation. In this article, we’ll examine the future of the PC, from foldable laptops to machines run by artificial intelligence (AI) that might spell the end of the keyboard and mouse.
Bend and form
Foldable displays are one of the main developments that will hit the PC industry this decade, starting this year. The Samsung Galaxy Fold and Motorola’s revival of the famous Razr both have panels that resemble elastic bands, and now flexible screens are growing even larger.
A true pocket computer
The finest computer most of us have at our disposal is our phone, just like the best camera is the one you have with you. In the last ten years, laptop manufacturers have worked to make their products more similar to tablets; in the coming ten years, they may focus more on making laptops more like smartphones.
It’s not like the design of laptops hasn’t already taken a lot from smartphones; modern laptops are increasingly coming equipped with features like touchscreens, face recognition, “all-day” battery life, and always-on networking.
Future-looking windows
Naturally, the software that runs the hardware must also advance over the next ten years. Microsoft’s long-term plans for Windows are already beginning to show. For instance, the company’s Windows 10 on ARM operating system promotes “instant-on” capabilities and 4G compatibility, once more illustrating the gradual move from the smartphone to the desktop experience.
Another area of concentration for Windows and macOS is AI, which is also a rapidly growing segment of the technological sector. Despite Cortana and Siri still having a secondary role in Microsoft and Apple’s respective operating systems, this built-in support for virtual assistants may be a sign of things to come in the next ten years.
Contact security
Expect future OS experiences to prioritise security as well. Both Apple and Microsoft are taking action to strengthen their onboard security as cyberattacks and data leaks continue to increase. While it’s realistic to assume that innovations like foldable displays will affect how PCs appear and feel, a more significant modification may be made to the client-side authentication and security features in the following generation of these gadgets.
A PC for 2030
A period of increased innovation in PC hardware is about to begin. Our machines will get quicker, lighter, faster, and more intimately integrated with our smartphone experience over the next 10 years than ever before. Many predict that this last element will have the most influence on the industry because both consumers and businesses want a more mobile experience.
