PC repair going the way of Appliance repair?

[gazza]

I do believe we will be doing less hardware repairs or replacements in years to come as the price of desktops and notebooks continue to get lower in price, however I am not convinced that cloud internet or cloud pc's like the Google Notebook CR-48 are going to take off. Firstly not every user uses there computer for Internet purposes only and not everyone will be able to afford the cost of download quota's that Google will charge for cloud notebooks and secondly I have grave concerns about cloud security, invasion of privacy and freedom of speech. It seems to me that cloud computing is going down a path that will give the providers and governments greater control over the Internet.

 

[vdub12]

I do believe we will be doing less hardware repairs or replacements in years to come as the price of desktops and notebooks continue to get lower in price, however I am not convinced that cloud internet or cloud pc's like the Google Notebook CR-48 are going to take off. Firstly not every user uses there computer for Internet purposes only and not everyone will be able to afford the cost of download quota's that Google will charge for cloud notebooks and secondly I have grave concerns about cloud security, invasion of privacy and freedom of speech. It seems to me that cloud computing is going down a path that will give the providers and governments greater control over the Internet.

The hope I think is neutrality will protect the rights of the people using the Internet but because of government bureaucracy I am sure that its going to be the other way around. Laws are not created to protect people anymore they are created to protect corporations that can pay off politicians. Just look at the RIAA and MPAA, they know how to get laws passed.

 

[meanderer]

I think the OP is being very pessimistic. I do agree that this industry is shifting in a new direction, however I think it happens all the time. I am still setting up computers for the older generation.

It is hard to see ahead what's going to happen and predict. All we can do is to adapt as quick as we can.

Oh, those sub $400 laptops are crap that don't even run farmville, it's insane.

 

[gunslinger]

I think the OP is being very pessimistic. I do agree that this industry is shifting in a new direction, however I think it happens all the time. I am still setting up computers for the older generation.

It is hard to see ahead what's going to happen and predict. All we can do is to adapt as quick as we can.

Oh, those sub $400 laptops are crap that don't even run farmville, it's insane.

Two things.

I agree that the this industry is shifting in a new direction and we have to adapt.


As for farmville I have seen a few comments about the cheap computers not running it. My wife plays it on her Dell mini 9.

 

[vdub12]

Two things.

I agree that the this industry is shifting in a new direction and we have to adapt.


As for farmville I have seen a few comments about the cheap computers not running it. My wife plays it on her Dell mini 9.

Dell Mini9 is not a bad computer. Its a netbook though and most people don't want a 9" screen. Most sub $400 notebooks don't run very well at all. I have a Dell Mini 10v running a triple boot of Kubuntu, Windows 7 ultimate, and MAC OSX. I commonly will sit back at night with the VGA port hooked up to one of my tech monitors in the shop and watch stuff with Internet TV in media center and it runs very well. The passive cooling sucks though.

 

[Appleby]

Just one MORE example to throw out there, as I've posted MANY in the last several months in these types of threads.....

Tonight, while at a meeting at a community organization I volunteer at, a 33 year old lady, whom is also a member and someone I've done tech work for, walked up to me and made a comment about her iPhone. I helped her husband buy her a laptop two years ago for a Christmas present, which she loved. We started chatting and she said, "I cannot believe I'd ever own a device that I can do ALL my internet stuff on. I gave my laptop to my girls and I do EVERYTHING on my iPhone....email, internet, pictures, Facebook, games, shopping, I don't even use a computer anymore at all. I have no need to own a computer." And this is a middle aged mom of two who owns a nice laptop and has a total of 3 laptops in her home and she's telling me she doesn't need one anymore and never uses it.

I know everyone isn't to the point she it and none of us on this forum may ever be there but more and more of my customers are saying very similar things....

 

[Computer_Jester]

Big-Box Store

My friend works at Geek Squad. He told me that during training they are taught if the customer has an issue that cannot be fixed by them that they should recommend a new computer. (e.g. Motherboard replacement on machine out of warranty and DC Jack Repair).

 

[NeutronTech]

Just one MORE example to throw out there, as I've posted MANY in the last several months in these types of threads.....

Tonight, while at a meeting at a community organization I volunteer at, a 33 year old lady, whom is also a member and someone I've done tech work for, walked up to me and made a comment about her iPhone. I helped her husband buy her a laptop two years ago for a Christmas present, which she loved. We started chatting and she said, "I cannot believe I'd ever own a device that I can do ALL my internet stuff on. I gave my laptop to my girls and I do EVERYTHING on my iPhone....email, internet, pictures, Facebook, games, shopping, I don't even use a computer anymore at all. I have no need to own a computer." And this is a middle aged mom of two who owns a nice laptop and has a total of 3 laptops in her home and she's telling me she doesn't need one anymore and never uses it.

I know everyone isn't to the point she it and none of us on this forum may ever be there but more and more of my customers are saying very similar things....

Until they need to type papers or letters.

Smart phones are great for when your not home, but I need a comfortable keyboard and a big arse screen when I'm at home. I'd use a smart phone to do a quick check of my email and a quick reply perhaps, and certainly other "read only" web stuff. I loath typing on anything other than my computer. Heck, I don't even like to type on my laptop. I hook up another keyboard when I have some typing to do.

Believe it or not, your customer isn't the majority. Smart phones are great for mobile web use, or casual home use, but it's just not practical for those who need to spend any real time online, or typing.

 

[ATTech]

Until they need to type papers or letters.

Smart phones are great for when your not home, but I need a comfortable keyboard and a big arse screen when I'm at home. I'd use a smart phone to do a quick check of my email and a quick reply perhaps, and certainly other "read only" web stuff. I loath typing on anything other than my computer. Heck, I don't even like to type on my laptop. I hook up another keyboard when I have some typing to do.

Believe it or not, your customer isn't the majority. Smart phones are great for mobile web use, or casual home use, but it's just not practical for those who need to spend any real time online, or typing.

Solution: Smartphone docking stations.

 

[JosephLeo]

Solution: Smartphone docking stations.

+1

My EVO has an HDMI out port...although I never used it yet. I gotta see what resolution this thing can pump out. I'm also sure I can use a bluetooth keyboard on the thing.

 

[angry_geek]

The idea of not needing us has been discussed for years. It may be an eventuality for the average home user, but businesses will continue to require support for a long time to come. This is why I have not taken on any new home users for over a year. It's now a good time to evaluate your business model and pick up some new skills. Focusing an SMB's is a good place to start. Also keep in mind that people need help connecting their new tv's to their wireless, etc. This industry is a long way from dead, but, if you're afraid, or incapable, of adapting, then you may be on your way out of a job. I've seen this industry change a lot in 15 years, and others that have been at it longer have seen many more changes. I'm sure all of us would agree that the key to surviving is changing with the environment.

 

[vdub12]

The idea of not needing us has been discussed for years. It may be an eventuality for the average home user, but businesses will continue to require support for a long time to come. This is why I have not taken on any new home users for over a year. It's now a good time to evaluate your business model and pick up some new skills. Focusing an SMB's is a good place to start. Also keep in mind that people need help connecting their new tv's to their wireless, etc. This industry is a long way from dead, but, if you're afraid, or incapable, of adapting, then you may be on your way out of a job. I've seen this industry change a lot in 15 years, and others that have been at it longer have seen many more changes. I'm sure all of us would agree that the key to surviving is changing with the environment.

This is true. I just hooked up an Internet ready TV yesterday.

 

[Appleby]

Until they need to type papers or letters.

Smart phones are great for when your not home, but I need a comfortable keyboard and a big arse screen when I'm at home. I'd use a smart phone to do a quick check of my email and a quick reply perhaps, and certainly other "read only" web stuff. I loath typing on anything other than my computer. Heck, I don't even like to type on my laptop. I hook up another keyboard when I have some typing to do.

Believe it or not, your customer isn't the majority. Smart phones are great for mobile web use, or casual home use, but it's just not practical for those who need to spend any real time online, or typing.

I agree about those needs...but more and more people are not NEEDING to do those things. This lady has no need to type a paper...or use TurboTax...or import photos (her phone is her camera). I realize this isn't you or me. This isn't the majority of people, but this group is growing at an alarming rate. I've posted tons of first hand examples of this in many of these threads. Friends, family, customers, even my wife are giving up their home computers for smart phones and iPads. I'm not talking about isolated incidents, I'm talking about ALOT of people, all of who are financially able to afford a laptop, iPad or whatever they want.

If you really want my first hand examples, I can post them. I am officially loosing business because of this trend and the work I'm loosing is from some of my very best customers.

And as I've said before, I don't believe that everyone is going to give up their pc's but if a household with two laptops, downsizes to just one, that is a 50% loss in potential problems/work I can get from them.

I keep saying it over and over, I don't believe we are all going to be broke and out of jobs in five years but I know for a FACT that disposable smart phones, tablets and basically disposable computers (because of price) already are hurting my business.

 

[gunslinger]

I agree about those needs...but more and more people are not NEEDING to do those things. This lady has no need to type a paper...or use TurboTax...or import photos (her phone is her camera). I realize this isn't you or me. This isn't the majority of people, but this group is growing at an alarming rate. I've posted tons of first hand examples of this in many of these threads. Friends, family, customers, even my wife are giving up their home computers for smart phones and iPads. I'm not talking about isolated incidents, I'm talking about ALOT of people, all of who are financially able to afford a laptop, iPad or whatever they want.

If you really want my first hand examples, I can post them. I am officially loosing business because of this trend and the work I'm loosing is from some of my very best customers.

And as I've said before, I don't believe that everyone is going to give up their pc's but if a household with two laptops, downsizes to just one, that is a 50% loss in potential problems/work I can get from them.

I keep saying it over and over, I don't believe we are all going to be broke and out of jobs in five years but I know for a FACT that disposable smart phones, tablets and basically disposable computers (because of price) already are hurting my business.

I agree. A friend of mine who works security said once she discovered she could access Facebook from her Droid she stopped using her computer.

 

[NeutronTech]

I find it interesting how these type of things vary so wildly by area. The trends I frequently see posted on this forum, are very very rare around here. Such as the smartphone trend, the tablet PC trend, heck even using Google to find businesses. More people still pick up the Yellow pages around here then jump on Google. HD TV is barely available here. Most places around these parts are still on dial up, as well. I'm pretty confident that I'm going to do well for years to come.

 

[Steve202]

I was thinking about this last night. I really can't see PC repair going the way of appliance repair. Yeah sure, hardware is pretty cheap and if any hardware breaks, users might just think they may as well buy a new computer but are they seriously going to buy a new computer when say, Word isn't working?

 

[Farnsworth]

"but are they seriously going to buy a new computer when say, Word isn't working?"

Of course their not. but they are not going to pay you $200 to fix it either. They will get some private "tech." working for $15 an hour to do it and they are on the increase. With Google and a little little tech. savvy, most basic PC problems are solvable and within their reach. The days of required serious tech. ability have gone. Most people are quite happy with a Nuke and Pave (they even expect it), which any idiot can do.

 

[Xander]

Solution: Smartphone docking stations.

Behold:
http://mozillalabs.com/conceptseries/2010/09/23/seabird/

 

[Appleby]

Behold:
http://mozillalabs.com/conceptseries/2010/09/23/seabird/

Wow! That's a pretty cool concept. That's taking it even further and faster than I'm thinking!

Again guys, I (and I don't think anyone else) is saying that pc's are going away....just changing. Look at the changes we've seen in the last 2 years, much less the last 10! Also, the concept of mobile phones being the main source of internet activity seems wild to us, but not in MANY other countries. That is a fact.

As for smart phones, cheap computers and tablet question of "Ya but what about their data, photos, music and pictures when they get a new one?" What happens when iTunes (or the like) is replaced by something similar in the "cloud"? My wife just got a new iPhone 4G and the upgrade process from her 3G was so simple and easy it was silly! Plug in 3G, sync, unplug, plug in 4G, sync, BAM! Everything from photos, music, apps, and settings were transferred over. It was so easy I couldn't believe it. I find it hard to believe that in the next 3-5 years, or much less, Apple won't be doing the same thing via the cloud, thus taking the computer out of the mix. That is just a small example of how I see our business changing.

 

[vdub12]

Behold:
http://mozillalabs.com/conceptseries/2010/09/23/seabird/

OMG, I am in love.

I want that phone.