Reflecting on the future of pc technicians....

Hi,

Just read an Pc article from PC WORLD magazine feb' 2013 about why PC users hates microsoft, And the author of the article suggested that Microsoft will turn some of its efforts into making some branded hardware like computers and tablets to make itself more appealing product for its users like apple, And it make me think about that the world is using more and more tablets and laptops since their price is getting more and more affordable, And then I ask myself will PC technicians will be obsolete in like 10 years time......
I don't have the tools/knowledge/experience to fix cellphones/tablets and even laptops, Which in my opinion will become the mainstream appliance for computing, And it worries me a bit - future income wise....

What are your thoughts about all of this ?

hi,don`t lose faith too fast,the myth about the pc disapearing won`t happen for a few year yet,but in the meantime grab all you can learn about the new Gadget,there is equipment to help you fix all kind of board and you can buy them fairly cheap in china and the books that go with them,there will always be a need for some one to fix things up if you make the effort to learn and keep ahead of the game,i wish that you have the willpower and the luck to make,Claude ps i am 74 years olds and only swithed to laptop about 3 years ago cause there were too many amateur pc fixer fookin the job up with the price of pc down,if i was a few years younger i would buy the equipment and go for all the new stuff,but i will be retiring for the third time and maybe for good this time,lol,Claude

I agree it will be a while but, as many are learning, if you keep all your stuff in the cloud some kind of internet-appliance such a tablet or Chromebook (if you want a separate keyboard) may well be all you really need. And with prices of less than $199 for a new one, why repair? Replace.

HipHoper,

I would not fear it as much. Even if the world is leaning towards mobile devices and tablets there is one thing that won't go that route and that is the infrastructure. The most you may need to concern yourself with is how to integrate these technologies with mail servers and corporate environments. If you do this I think you'll see that you will still have a job. It just depends on where you want to take your skills next. I started leaning from computer repair to application support and security a while back once I saw how disposable hardware was becoming. I'm sure I'll morph my skills yet again when tablets and phones become the standard. Just find what suits your interests and that you can apply your skills towards and focus on that and I think you'll be fine.

Thank you guys for all your feedbacks.

hmmmm I think that I do need to focus on where things are going, And how i can apply myself to learn something that will be useful, Like syncing email and calendars across platforms, Or maybe turn to developing some useful software myself.
It is not clear to me yet, But I'll wait-it-out until the new direction will become clearer to me.

When the PC dropped under $500 I realized the future will not be in hardware so I started thinking about transitioning to software development. Fast forward to today... I want nothing to do with hardware, even networking is stale and the new job I'm starting Monday is 100% software development...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CeeBee

When the PC dropped under $500 I realized the future will not be in hardware so I started thinking about transitioning to software development. Fast forward to today... I want nothing to do with hardware, even networking is stale and the new job I'm starting Monday is 100% software development...

---

It always pains me to agree with CeeBee even a bit, but it's virtually impossible to make a buck on hardware unless you have some value added services to offer. If you have a client that needs specialized software set up and installed, and you're about the only source, you can still make some bucks off building a computer. But if you're talking making money replacing a DVD drive, forget it.

I still don't think that networking services are really at a dead end, and I think the market is still strong for security services.

Like the other ones posted, the death of the desktop pc won't happen overnight. More of a gradual shift. There are many younger/older folks who haven't fully embraced tablets or smartphones. There will be a need for pc techs in the next few years, but less of them. I have seen a slight change with businesses where I reside. No new pc stores, but a couple service repair centers for tablets/smartphones/etc. Not everything is going to be replaceable if it can still be repaired for a decent enough price.
So, if you choose to stay in the pc sales/repair biz, then start adapting to other tech devices.
I recently acquired some free older junker ipods and macbook air and using http://www.ifixit.com/ to learn/practice how to take them apart. I'm kind of liking it.

Thank you chef for the ifixit link. Seems like i can learn a thing or two (or two thousand.....) :)

Interesting :

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/04...tinct_by_2015/

While there are stupid people about, techs will always be required. As the amount of stupid people grows daily, there is nothing to fear.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gazzak

While there are stupid people about, techs will always be required. As the amount of stupid people grows daily, there is nothing to fear.

---

Hahahaha words of a SAGE :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gazzak

While there are stupid people about, techs will always be required. As the amount of stupid people grows daily, there is nothing to fear.

---

I don't think its about stupidity so much as ignorance or perhaps just an unwillingness to learn. Most people want to keep their lives simple, and so rather than supervise the grandkids while they browse porn and download every useless and dangerous toolbar on the planet, it's easier to pay somebody to clean up the mess. Heck, I'm not immune. My wife's car needs a headlight bulb replaced, and it is smack up against the battery, so every time I've changed the doggone thing, I've gotten a bit of an acid burn. I'm perfectly willing to take it over to the High School Auto Shop and let an aspiring Auto Technician change it.

...maybe take the battery out first?

:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DonJ

...maybe take the battery out first?

:D

---

Trust me, this is one of the battery installations from Hell. Not as bad as some of the Chrysler Concords/Dodge Intrepids where the battery is underneath the engine, and requires removing the right front wheel to access the battery compartment, but a PITA all the same. Besides, the autoshop does all this sort of stuff for free:wave: