Laptops 2018: How future clamshells will respond to the touch revolution

September 17, 2012

The laptop as we know it is in the middle of an identity crisis. After years of solid growth without any fundamental changes—aside from a quick, ill-fated flirtation with netbooks—the clamshell's relevance is now threatened by phones and tablets. The new breed of touchscreen mobile devices hasn't eliminated the need for PCs with trackpads and keyboards, but they have caused people to rethink whether they need a second notebook at home. In response, PC makers are now ushering the laptop into the era of touch, with help from the drastic operating system overhaul that is Windows 8. The ride will be bumpy over the next few years, as PC makers try to generate excitement for laptops by introducing new hybrid designs, such as swiveling touchscreens and detachable displays. But what happens after that? In five years, once the transitional hybrid period shakes out, what will the clamshell look like? PCWorld spoke with chip makers, PC manufacturers, and analysts to learn more about what laptops will offer circa 2018. Join us as we peer into a multifaceted crystal ball to decipher the future of the notebook. Keep reading...

Link: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2009923/laptops-2018-how-future-clamshells-will-respond-to-the-touch-revolution.html