As cloud computing takes hold, PCs are getting smaller. Just look at the data.
The Pew report, Use of Cloud Computing Applications and Services (PDF), is based on a survey of more than 1,500 American Internet users conducted in April and May of this year, and has a margin of error of 3 percent. An interesting conclusion of the report is that 69% of those surveyed use cloud-based online applications, even though they don't yet understand cloud computing. By far, the largest usage is for webmail (56%) and personal photo storage (34%).
Cloud computing is taking hold and growing phenomenally, with no end to the growth curve in site. The highest adoption of cloud computing applications are among the 18-29 age group at 89%, while usage declines with each successive age category down to 46 percent for those over 65.
The use of online services using cloud infrastructure is definitely taking the place of desktop applications. The personal computer no longer has to do all the work, so it's getting smaller. HP just launched a $400 mini notebook, a portable and inexpensive Netbook designed specifically for Web browsing.
$400 bucks for a PC. And, that's reality, unlike the failed $100 laptop project. $400 bucks is the cost of 2 iPhones. Eventually, maybe Apple will make the iPhone with a holographic and resizable screen and keyboard. I don't know about you, but if Apple makes that happen, I won't need a PC anymore.
