LENOVO Corp. said its study reveals young people are spending more time with their personal computers (PCs) than ever before. “Studies indicate that the average time spent on a PC has gone up by 12 minutes since 2012,” the company said in a statement.
“In addition, consumers are spending twice as much time watching movies and TV shows on PCs rather than tablets and smartphones combined.”
“While this generation is consuming more content on their mobiles, to assume that they are letting go of their personal computers is misguided,” Lenovo Philippines Country General Manager Michael Ngan was quoted in a statement as saying. “Depending on their personal usage and needs, some users today still prefer PCs over mobile. With PCs and laptops becoming more affordable than ever, PC use will continue to thrive this year.”
As consumers become prolific creators, sharers of content and end-users, Lenovo believes that display innovations will be a key feature that will drive customer satisfaction. The company has already implemented these features in its products.
Against this backdrop, there will be plenty to look forward to in the personal computing space in 2017, the company said.
AR/VR Gaming
THE augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) gaming space is projected to explode as a trend this year, according to Lenovo.
With over 50 different headsets already confirmed to be displayed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, gaming systems are set to dominate the PC market. “We can anticipate that these technologies will grow beyond the PC gaming world as new uses are discovered for the technologies,” Lenovo said. The company cited as example schools that are piloting “VR Corners” to diversify the learning process, bringing headsets and AR-compatible devices into the classroom. Benefits of a world with AR/VR are limitless and, in line with Gartner’s predictions, this immersive experience will evolve dramatically through 2021, as the technologies transform our interaction with one another and with software systems.
Display innovations
THANKS to the growing consumer interest for AR/VR gaming, display innovations subsequently follow on the fast-track to growing PC trends.
Lenovo claims it was one of the first last year to bring curved gaming monitors to market for more immersive gaming with its curved gaming monitor. The company said it continues to invest in this space to match display capabilities with AR/VR technology that calls for vibrant, snappy visuals.
IoT integration
THE Internet of Things (IoT) will continue to leave an impression in 2017 as industry observers are already predicting the “Internet of Everything” to be a disruptive trend in technology for the year.
“Expect to see significant growth in both the consumer and B2B [business-to-business] market, where smart connectivity extends to virtually any endpoint in the home or workplace,” Lenovo said. The company added it is on the path to innovate in this space with research and development plans in place to make PCs and other smart devices even more integrated and intuitive.
Versatility in laptops, tablets
IN a recent report, the International Data Corp. (IDC) forecasts that detachables can be considered as a PC replacement in the commercial space, with the detachable category expected to account for 31 percent of the tablet market by 2020, an increase from its current market share of 16 percent.
“[The year] 2017 will undoubtedly see an abundance of convertible and detachable devices on the market as portability and versatility remain top of mind for PC users who are becoming more mobile at work and at home,” Lenovo said.
Extended PC lifecycles
IN the commercial space, analysts forecast PC-as-a-Service (PCaaS) will help PC vendors transform transactional PC sales into longer-term and more profitable engagements by expanding their services portfolios bundled with PC sales.
The IDC also surveyed IT buyers across a range of company sizes about PCaaS, and found that almost half of respondents said they engaged in the past 12 months or are considering engaging in the next 12 months in PCaaS. This means IT decision-makers are positioned to drive and grow the PC market with customized add-on services to maintain and extend the lifecycle of the device. The IoT will continually change the way we live in the coming year, Lenovo said. For businesses, the potential from IoT growth will boost productivity and enhance customer engagement. On the consumer front, as we get increasingly connected and adopt new technologies, there will be a blurring of the digital and physical world.
“IoT devices can help businesses enhance customer profiles and create more effective marketing campaigns,” Ngan said. “We’re optimistic to see what IoT will bring in 2017 as more organizations and people begin to adopt IoT.”