The release of Win10 may expand the classification dispute of "PC"

Computer store news: Chrome can also be used as "PC", while Surface Pro 3 is a two-in-one device, not included in the scope of the PC, controversy, then what is the scope of the PC? It seems Time to reclassify or define “PC”!

We need to revisit the classification of “PC”

This week, research companies Gartner and IDC released their fourth quarter of 2014, respectively. Estimated figures for computer shipments. However, there is a big difference in the total number of PCs announced by the two companies. Gartner said PC shipments increased by 1% year-on-year in the fourth quarter. IDC said that PC shipments fell by 2.3% in the fourth quarter.

This caught our attention. How do the two companies define "PC"? Gartner and IDC believe that desktops and laptops running Windows and Mac are called PCs. However, in terms of other forms of factors and even operating systems, the two companies have different opinions.

Gartner said that PC definitions include all Windows-based tablets, but not chrome notebooks. On the surface, this definition seems strange, because the chrome notebook is no different in form from Windows and Apple laptops, just running another operating system, Google's Chrome OS.

While IDC claims that chrome notebooks are indeed PCs, IDC removed tablets from PC definitions, including Apple's iPad and any Windows and Android-based tablet. However, there are many Windows tablets that come with an optional or detachable keyboard, such as the Microsoft Surface Pro 3. In addition, there are other Windows laptops such as the Lenovo Yoga series that allow the included keyboard to be flipped 360 degrees so that it can be used as a tablet or laptop.

There is also an all-in-one computer that combines the hardware part and the display in one form factor. There are many models with touch screens, and some such as the Lenovo Horizon series, which can be used as a huge one. Tablet without a keyboard attached.

Obviously, the PC's form factor has far exceeded the category of "desktop" and "notebook". At this moment, the two largest PC hardware research companies can't even unify the PC.

IDC vs Gartner

Windows Central contacted IDC to find out why they included chrome laptops in the PC category, but removed some other devices such as Surface Pro 3, which come with removable keyboard. An IDC spokesperson told us by email:

& ldquo;We classify PCs based on form factors (such as laptops without a detachable keyboard) rather than centered on traditional operating systems or used classification. So we excluded some 2-in-1 devices like MS Surface Pro, we included the chrome notebook in the PC category, because the chrome notebook has a fixed keyboard and also meets our definition of PC. ”

IDC's point of view is, if it comes with a detachable keyboard, it's not a laptop. This means that devices like Surface Pro will not be PCs, but like Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro, it can be considered a PC.

So why didn't Gartner include chrome notebooks in PC shipment figures, but instead included windows-based tablets, some of which didn't come with a keyboard? We contacted Gartner, and its PC analyst Mika Kitagawa responded Weighing:

“We include Windows tablets, but not chrome notebooks, because we use the way to segment the market. Users have a similarity with Windows tablets and regular laptops/desktops, which increase productivity and provide multiple features. It can run multiple applications and has better multitasking capabilities regardless of form factor. For example, a Windows tablet can be made into a desktop by attaching a keyboard and display. & rdquo;

& ldquo; On the other hand, Android and iOS tablets do not have the functionality that PCs can provide, and multi-tasking capabilities are limited, their main role is content consumption. Chrome notebooks look like a laptop, but there are many limitations to using Chromebooks. Lack of offline features, especially for Chromebooks, is far from the PC feature. ”

“So we believe that there are many unrelated parts of the PC classified by formal factors. In particular, some laptops now also have the functionality of a tablet, such as a detachable laptop and a flexible (hybrid) laptop. These are all integrated devices for tablets and PCs (2 in 1). If we segment the market by form factor, it is difficult to define such products on the market today. ”

Who is right?

When we are ready to wait for Microsoft to reveal more about the Windows 10 consumer program in Redmond next week, we find that it is still on the PC. The definition is controversial. This is not only a philosophical debate, it is about how we classify the entire computer industry in the future. In the past few years, the rise of the iPad and other tablets has caused a lot of discussion, which means that consumers are no longer interested in PCs. However, both Gartner and IDC believe that tablet growth has slowed and consumers seem to be returning to buy PCs.

The release of Windows 10 may further expand this controversy. By the time Gartner and IDC come up with a unified PC hardware definition, there may not be such a controversy.