We have entered a post-PC era, report claims [infographic]

By on Oct 26, 2011 at 1:25 PM
mobile October 26, 2011

North Americans have officially embraced the “post-PC era” according to a new report from broadband solutions provider Sandvine. The company’s Global Internet Phenomena Report for Fall 2011 analyzes user behavior on the Internet to identify trends, and the trend in several key areas is quickly moving away from traditional personal computers. For the first time, more real-time home entertainment was delivered to devices like gaming consoles, smartphones and tablets in the United States than to PCs. ”[We have] entered a post-PC era, in which the majority of Real-Time Entertainment traffic on North America’s fixed access networks is destined for devices other than a laptop or desktop computer,” Sandvine said in its report. “Game consoles, settop boxes, smart TVs, tablets, and mobile devices being used within the home combine to receive 55% of all Real-Time Entertainment traffic.” An infographic highlighting key data from Sandvine’s report follows below.

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  • Guest

    The PC was never intended to be a device used for consuming media.

    To use media entertainment as a metric for determining if the industry is ‘Post-PC’ is, frankly, naive.

    • Carmen

      Whaaaaaaaaa? Why were so many PC video games produced since the ’80s? Why did YouTube exist before the tablet or smartphone? How did Mark Cuban make billions on a website (only accessible by PCs back then) that broadcast radio over the Internet to CONSUME from anywhere in the world?

      The PC was intended to be used to consume media. It wasn’t just meant for creation.

      Don’t be a fool.

    • Anonymous

      To think that the majority of internet users use their Internet connection for more than media entertainment or consumption is naive. 

      Social gaming, Social network, blog reading, news reading, information seeking, emailing, content sharing. 

      Those that use the Internet for business or other productive reasons will always need a computer. The majority do not. It is simply a case that PC came before the media tablet, but the media tablet will out shine it for its simplicity and easy access to consumption. 

      My nephew is using an iPad in college for all his books and note taking, using a keyboard to write long reports in his Dorm room. He wasn’t a PC gamer or nerd and just realized that it would be more efficient to let the iPad replace what little he used a computer for.

    • http://www.facebook.com/DIVCorp Corey Fisher

      Guest, I disagree, I think it is a PRIME example of entering a post-PC era… this is obviously a miniscule report, but the facts are clearly represented here, people are using other devices now when they “use” to use their PC’s. I also significantly disagree that PC’s were not intended for Media, when that is their primary use for Home use. People use their PC’s for entertainment, video-gaming, as home theater equipment, sound recording equipment, consuming video’s, music, etc. Even when I see people who use business PC’s, I see them watch an occasional video and browse the daily news, this my friend, is MEDIA!! I can tell you right now that I use my Mobile phone for daily use almost as much as my desktop now. I also have realized the fact that tablets, slim laptops, smartphones, all-in-ones and etc are now overtaking general desktop PC sales. Not only that, you are seeing PC manufacturers use tighter integration now (a la’ ultrabooks - a great example of where we are going). I feel that not only have we entered a Post PC era, but we are also entering an age where electronics will be stylish, flexible and employ advanced aesthetics and have much broader use then being at home looking at a screen. Not that it’s a bad thing, but it was bound to happen.

      • Anonymous

        The facts are not “clearly represented”. Actually, it’s a prime example of how real metrics can be misconstrued to show the exact opposite of what may be actually happening.

        What this shows is basically charts based on two primary metrics.

        1. What kind of client is being connected (desktop, phone, tablet, etc.), and

        2. how much of a very specific content source (i.e. youtube & netflix, or “real time entertainment” as defined by the metric) is being accessed.

        In no possible way, can any sort of conclusion be drawn from these 2 simple measurements. You can have 10 times more mobile devices for every single desktop computer connected, but it has zero bearing on actual usage numbers. 

        Also using “Real time entertainment” as a heavily weighed stat to determine overall usage is obviously not an accurate conclusion.

        Now that I think about it, I’m a perfect example of this. Between me and my wife, we have 2 desktops, 2 laptops, 3 tablets, 2 smartphones, 1 console, and 1 internet connected TV . Based on this analysis, you would assume that a 1 to 7 ratio of PC vs non-PC connected devices, that we spend most of our collective time on a device other then a PC. In fact, I would say between Youtube and Netflix, we DO consume ( as expected) that specific media on mostly non-PC devices.

        HOWEVER, I can damn well guarantee, that between the 2 desktops we have, they still get the most use by at least 500% over all the other devices COMBINED. Do  you know why? Because as someone who actually has to work, I do a lot more then just watch Youtube and Netflix all day (at least most days ;P). 

        In conclusion, quantity does not matter, nor does usage statistics purely based on one type of internet activity.

    • Wsv

      Guest, although I agree with you to some extent, I think that your interpretation of what the computer was intended for is a bit misguided as well. 

      If you would like to get technical, the computer was invented for or intended to reduce the extent of human error in mathematical operations – simple. Was that what you were referring to in your OP?

      The world has changed since the 1800′s and (yes I said the 1800′s) so much more is required to feed the computers intended influence on our lives. Entertainment is a big one, education, paying bills, applying for jobs and so… There are millions of PC uses that require watching video clips, movies, and streaming media.

      I think the only issue with this article is that it is incorrectly named. 

    • AEROSPIKE

      THE COMPUTER( POST ABACUS, AND OTHER MECHANICAL DEVICES )WAS USED TO CRACK CODES AND CALCULATE BALLISTIC TABLES BUT THESE WERE HARD WIRED FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMING TASKS, THEN CAME WHIRLWIND/IBM 360S AND OTHER ELECTRONICALLY PROGRAMED GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTERS. PROBLEM WAS THESE GEN. PURPOSE COMPUTERS WERE CONFINED TO CLIMATE CONTROLLED ROOMS, NOW THE BIRTH OF OUR BELOVED “PERSONAL COMPUTER” WHICH IS IN FACT A GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTER THAT PERFORMS WHAT EVER WE PROGRAM IT TO DO( GAMES, VIDEO, COMMUNICATIONS AND OTHER TASKS )NOW WE HAVE TAKEN THE NEXT PROGRESSIVE STEPS IN MASS TO BE TRULY MOBILE AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE( CELLULAR, CLOUD, CONTENT PROVIDERS, ETC )REQUIRED TO SUPPORT IT IS BECOMING READILY AVAILABLE. AS YOU WELL KNOW TODAYS TABLETS AND SMART PHONES CAN NOT FULLY REPLACE THE DESK PC/NOTEBOOK UNTIL THE PROBLEMS OF ENERGY TO PROCESSING POWER RATIO AND MORE HUMAN TO DEVICE INTERFACE( FULL AND FAULT FREE SPEECH RECOGNITION )HAVE BEEN ANSWERED.  SO THE PC WAS NEVER INTENDED STATEMENT IS WRONG, THE “P” IN PC IS PERSONAL WHAT DO YOU THINK OUR SMART PHONES AND TABLETS ARE, THERE PERSONAL AND THEY ARE GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTERS WITH APP’S, I/O, CPU/SOC, RAM AND STORAGE!

  • Pope_on_a_bender

    Article = Logic Fail

    PC = Personal Computer
    Tablet PC  is ummm…. 

    …wait for it…. 

    a PC !!!

    • Ryan

      Dumbass, he defined PC as a laptop or desktop. Read the article Sherlock

      • Wayne Anderson

        Just because the author or media company chose to imply a definition on the term PC that does not capture what “PC” actually means, does not imply that there is no other possible perspective.

        This company has chosen to narrowly interpret what comprises a Personal Computer.  They have done so with malice aforethought to introduce a sensational claim and garner attention for thier analysis.  Which goal has been accomplished.

        Simply because they chose to define a PC as only being a Laptop or a Desktop type computer device, does not mean that a tablet, a netbook, a gaming console, or even a smartphone do not fit the true definition of what provides personal computing utility to the individual user.

  • http://twitter.com/GRZLA Grizzly Atoms

    Mobile devices are good for media, but doing work? I don’t see my company getting rid of our workstations for iPad’s anytime soon.

    • mangenius

      NO I read a few comments and many people are missing it.

      They added SMART TVS into this.  OF COURSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WATCH MORE TV ON THEIR TV THAT ON THEIR PC!!  WTF kind of retard compiled this report!?

  • Zach Please Stop

    Zach why does all your articles always say “Report claims” or something Apple followed by analyst? You would think after the bullshit you guys posted about the iPhone 5 you would have leaned your lession. To bad this site went from bening a good tech blog to the TMZ of all rumors. Do you guys have any shame???

    • http://twitter.com/GRZLA Grizzly Atoms

      THIS JUST IN, ZACH FOUND AN INFOGRAPH ONLINE!

  • Bryan Paul

    Are we really? cause I’m pretty sure I just bought Battlefield 3 for the PC…..

    • Ryan

      I love BF3! And the franchise.

      But honestly, you’re in the minority who still uses a PC for gaming.

  • Anonymous

    People watching movies and TV shows on setups that allow them to do so on their big screen TV? Unfathomable. =

  • Anonymous

    It’s not the post-PC era… this just means that those households are purchasing devices that can interact with the net in new ways to deliver content.  I doubt 99% of those households have ditched their PC in favor of these devices.  So in reality, it the “co-existence” era.  Print it.

  • BigMike78

    What a misleading title to the graphic. Tablets and phones are taking as much share from PCs and DVD players as they are PCs. PCs for daily business use, and other typing intensive tasks aren’t going anywhere. 

    • Anonymous

      I remember my great-grandfather said the same thing about horses. “They’re not going away! Cars are a fad!”

      • Wayne Anderson

        Not sure how you remember that yet are young and current enough to participate in the discussion here…

        That being said, I think Mike has a great point.  While you seem intent on trolling anyone with a perspective counter to yours, I think that MIkes point – that the mobile device of today is taking as much from yesterday’s DVD player and gaming console as it is from the traditional field of desktop computing – is absolutely valid.

        This infographic supports a claim that the attempts to create convergent devices for multimedia entertainment has happened!  It just did not happen with someone’s set top box.  Or by adding features to a traditional console like the Playstation 3 or XBox360.

        Rather it has happened, by creating an entire category of devices that are defined by alternative form factors which people use to engage in these games, media, internet browsing, and the like.

        Thus Mike’s point, the infographic being significantly misleading relative to the PC – is quite true.  It says more about what devices we are engaging as our PC and less about our use of computing resources going away.

      • Anonymous

        Please stop trying to confuse us with facts. ;-)

  • http://identi.ca/LauRoman LaurenÈ›iu Roman

    A laptop (or whatever marketing term they have for it), a Mac is a PC, a smartphone is a PC, a tablet is a PC, a Boxee Box is a PC, a PS2 or 3 is a PC if you install YellowDog or whatever other distribution you are able to.

    Things that are not a PC: arduino programable boards, toasters and fridges (yet), wheels, hot dogs, body parts.

    Why can’t people undestand that?

    • Anonymous

      Wow I see Steve Ballmer is in you Christmas list. Those are his exact words.

    • Dave

      The “Info graphic” and the report define it preety clearly…content consumed on a “PC” (laptop, desktop) is 45% on “other devices” (Game consoles, settop boxes, smart TVs, tablets, and mobile devices) 55%.

      What is it that you don’t understand?  Do you call your TV a your computer?

      • Wayne Anderson

        I think that Laurentiu’s point is that the definition of what is a “personal computer” (which is after all what PC stands for) is what is changing, not that PCs have gone the way of the dodo bird.

        If I take a tablet that runs android today.  Like say a quad core Asus Transformer Prime, and then load Windows 8 on the tablet.  IS that a PC?  How is it not a PC?

        What about when I take that tablet and connect it to the battery-integrated dock that also happens to be a keyboard.  Did it somehow become a PC when I added a peripheral?

        What about if I disconnect it from this keyboard/dock and then start working in an office-type productivity application.  Is it a PC now?

        And then when I take my tablet and stop doing productivity applications and connect it to HDMI on my TV to watch a video, did it stop being a PC?

        I think the category of whether or not something is a PC is going to be defined less by the form factor that the device takes the shape of and more by its general compute ability.  A windows 8 phone two years from now running quad core, has every bit the ability and capability of the PC for the tasks that some people perform on a day to day basis.

        Just because it is not an ugly box sitting under a desk does not neccessarily keep the device – when it is performing the tranditional functions of the PC -from being the personal computing device of the moment.  Which is, again, what being a “PC” truly is.

  • Chris

    I think this report directly equates to the POST PRODUCTIVITY era…  

  • Carmen

    I think people that are ignoring this would be like someone ignoring the ‘suburban sprawl’ phenomenon that changed our lives in the ’50s and ’60s. If in 1952, you sat there and said ‘I don’t get what these experts are talking about. A majority of people still live in cities and towns and mostly all of the land outside of those places is still farm land.’ you’d be correct for that moment, but the value lies in picking up on hints and trends that begin to tell a different tale. I think that to say that we aren’t in the midst of a shift from consumers NEEDING general-purpose computers (because no compelling alternatives for getting the job done were out there) to choosing devices that may have less utility, but trade that utility for ease-of-use, is ignorant. it’s hard for tech-centric people to imagine not having a PC because so much of what they do requires the extra utility. However, there are many people who simply don’t have any need or interest in a device that offers more utility than a media tablet and will delegate the harder tasks to the people withe the know-how and the equipment to get the ‘advanced’ tasks done.

    • Wayne Anderson

      What a crock of crap.

      While the Post-PC era is indeed nigh, I think that what we are truly looking at is the redefinition of what we recognize as a computing device.

      This claim of already being in such an era, however is a complete load of crap.  If the only activity anyone ever did on their PC, then yes you could make such a fantastic claim based on such a narrow case of use.  But the truth of the matter is that only a portion of the time spent on computing devices is spent viewing video.  

      When you include messaging activities, and productivity activities, I would not be surprised if we were only a year or two away from such a shift, but there is no way we are there yet, based on a combination of both enterprise and consumer markets.

  • http://twitter.com/ocdtrekkie Jake Weisz

    Oh God, not this again.

  • Keymaker

    This was ment to happen, 80% of people using PCs don’t do more than read emails, use it for media consumption or gaming. I don’t see a iPad replacing my desktop anytime soon, but for the rest of my family it could with no problem.

  • Anonymous

    I wonder what kind of device that infographic was created on.

  • Bringit

    iPad

    • http://twitter.com/starnovsky Stan Tarnovsky

      Actually, not. PS3.

  • Justin_L

    Interesting stuff. We will be fully mobile in the next few years. Just need some major battery breakthrough and we will be good to go.

  • Anonymous

    Real-time entertainment online… clearly defining such a limited filter is what is considered science nowadays for a statistical conclusion. The PC is clearly a by-gone instrument. Also of note most pizza is consumed by college age students between the ages of 18 and 22 while sitting on the ground.

    We are now in the post chair era.

  • http://twitter.com/starnovsky Stan Tarnovsky

    What an idiotic conclusion – derive post-PC era from the abundance of Netflix traffic. No, really…
    If anything, Netflix traffic signals the end of the broadcast TV, not PC.

  • Anonymous

    We’re a society of mobility & cost.

    Just like 20 years ago it would have been an infographic between a desktop & a typewriter….and 10 years ago, a desktop & a laptop. Now, it’s just desktop/laptop vs tablets/cell phones

    Best example: 100 years ago, the modern car was invented (modern). I’m confident there were people who still had to use a railroad system in conjunction with horse & wagon.

    I’m not saying these things don’t give us great information….but come on….we all know that tablets will replace laptops for everything outside of computer gaming in a few years…

    • http://twitter.com/starnovsky Stan Tarnovsky

      Railroad is still in use a lot for moving cargo, just not used much for passenger transportation in US (although it may change once we’ll run out of oil).

      Tablets are definitely poised to replace laptops as content consumption devices quite soon, maybe eventually they’ll stand a chance as a content creation devices, but they’ll need to get a way more advanced OS before that.

      However, how Netflix traffic from game consoles (and the study linked in this article is mostly about that) correlates to laptop-vs-tablet issue is beyond me…. 

  • Anonymous

    Now OK that is exactly what I am talking about. Wow.
    real-anon.at.tc

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