Do You Really Need a Laptop?
Rethinking Modern Computing
Smartphones have long become an indispensable part of everyday life. They have rendered traditional laptops and PCs unnecessary for many tasks. If you simply want a larger screen, a tablet often suffices. Equipped with a keyboard and mouse, it almost feels like using a real computer. Yet, many end users still rely on laptops or PCs. But are these devices still relevant, or are they perhaps already outdated?
Let’s set aside professional aspects, which may indeed require high-performance devices. In the private sphere, an inexpensive device is often sufficient. Most applications are now web-based anyway. In many cases, a tablet would probably be enough. However, devices priced above €1,000 are frequently overkill. For most users, such a device feels like a supercar stuck in traffic—bought for the brand and prestige, or perhaps out of sheer ignorance and poor advice. Certain brand logos still serve as significant status symbols. And businesses likely focus more on sales than on customer-oriented advice.
Whether it’s email, calendars, online banking, or office applications: there are hardly any areas left where the web isn’t already the primary platform. It’s arguably the best cross-platform environment and is definitely here to stay. Even seemingly native applications often hide web technologies at their core. The local computer is often just a shell for remote cloud applications.
The future for end users seems to fit an old model: thin clients. While they failed to convince many years ago, the situation is different today. Web-based applications are usable on virtually any device with a browser. The internet—and thus a necessary network connection—is firmly anchored in everyday life and no longer comparable to the quality of 30 years ago. The infrastructure is already in place—in the cloud. End devices can now slim down.
Smartphones, tablets, and relatively low-powered notebooks are all you would actually need. If you think about what you truly require, you can not only save money but also conserve resources as a result. Such “dumb” devices are available for under €300. Due to their lower demands, they can be used longer, generating less electronic waste.
A prime example is Chromebooks. Google has always focused on web applications. Chromebooks, with their browser-based operating system, serve as a gateway to the internet. The underlying idea is sound and can be refined. In any case, there’s a lot of potential here to correctly assess the true value of these devices.
What do you really need—prestige or efficiency?