Software and games have traditionally driven obsolescence. Now that software is shifting toward efficiency, remote processing, and web based interfaces, we don't need the power as much anymore.
It was easy to double the processing requirements of software when we were at a low exponent of moore's law, but now that is looked at as poor development. We're able to do more with less code.
Also, since facebook and other web services have diluted the demographic with people who mostly browse the web, the demand for power has waned.
However, I am annoyed with all the posts asserting that desktops are dead. This is far from true. Gamers will not give up their desktops. For power uses, a laptop just won't support 4 1080p monitors. I personally prefer having a desktop so I don't have to mess with docking/plugging in my laptop to a ton of cables when the desktop does a better job anyway. The desktop as serves as my media consumption station and is connected to the TV.
It was easy to double the processing requirements of software when we were at a low exponent of moore's law, but now that is looked at as poor development. We're able to do more with less code.
Also, since facebook and other web services have diluted the demographic with people who mostly browse the web, the demand for power has waned.
However, I am annoyed with all the posts asserting that desktops are dead. This is far from true. Gamers will not give up their desktops. For power uses, a laptop just won't support 4 1080p monitors. I personally prefer having a desktop so I don't have to mess with docking/plugging in my laptop to a ton of cables when the desktop does a better job anyway. The desktop as serves as my media consumption station and is connected to the TV.