IBM PC @ 30: Tablets mark the end of the PC era

The rise of tablet computers such as the iPad marks the beginning of the end for the PC era, IBM has argued on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the first PC.

Mark Dean, IBM's chief technology officer for the Middle East and Africa, said in a blog post that, while the PC has changed the world since its creation, the technology will eventually become obsolete.

"It's amazing to me to think that 12 August marks the 30th anniversary of the IBM Personal Computer. The announcement helped launch a phenomenon that changed the way we work, play and communicate," he said.

"But, while PCs will continue to be much-used devices, they're no longer at the leading edge of computing. They're going the way of the vacuum tube, typewriter, vinyl records, CRT and incandescent light bulbs."

Dean added that, despite IBM's role in the creation of the PC age, the company is adamant that it made the right decision to sell its own PC division to Lenovo.

"It may be odd for me to say this, but I'm also proud IBM decided to leave the personal computer business in 2005," he said.

"While many in the tech industry questioned IBM's decision at the time, it's now clear that our company was in the vanguard of the post-PC era."

Dean's comments make for interesting reading and, in many respects, the era of the PC as the single most important device used by a consumer or business professional is certainly drawing to a close.

However, to suggest that the PC will become a relic of our age, like the typewriter or vinyl record, seems a step too far. This article was written on a PC, it will be read by most people on a PC and PCs are the best tools for mass content creation.

As such V3 contacted Dean to ask if he wrote the blog on a tablet or PC but he confirmed he had indeed written it on a tablet, although suggested he used a traditional keyboard as well.

"I wrote and edited the blog on my tablet. When needed, a bluetooth keyboard can be used to enter larger amounts of information into the tablet," he said.

V3 has several interesting articles relating to this historic anniversary, including the republication of a review of the IBM PC at its launch in 1981.

11 Aug 2011