What's next for the PC: 'PC Does Whaaat?!' campaign

If the tech space is evolving and competitive on the cutting edge, then the PC market is on the bleeding edge. Many factors have affected the industry, but the PC’s fate has been due to the appeal of smartphones, tablets, and the need for mobility. While mobile devices are the rave, can they really replace the workload and capabilities of the PC?

In an effort to make the PC "cool" again, five major PC makers -- Microsoft, Intel, Dell, HP and Lenovo -- joined together to launch a $70 million, 6-week advertising campaign. The campaign, titled, "PC Does Whaaat?!”, launched with targeted online TV commercials focusing on the features available on the Windows 10 platform, and through broadcast and social media channels in the US and China.

Though only some of the commercials were released, the campaign has already generated major criticism. Some critics analyzed the campaign's shortfalls, including its inability to obtain the “cool factor” that PCs once had.

Shifting Trend Towards Mobility

PCs were a booming industry 10 years ago. However, with the launch of mobile devices (e.g. tablets, smartphones, wearables), and the fanatical surge of Apple products, PCs don’t seem to have a lot of cachet. Today’s users require mobility at home and in the workspace with an emphasis on convenience.

Businesses, in particular, are taking advantage of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), which helps save on costs by having employees bring their own personal devices to the workplace. Employees also have the opportunity to access important company data and applications through any device, anywhere. This allows employees to have the flexibility to work remotely from any location without affecting productivity.

Hosted Virtual Desktops

Hosted Virtual Desktops (HVDs) provide the platform for BYOD. They can run on any computer, on any interface, including Mac, PC, and Android. HVDs push the limits of the workspace and enable employees to increase their level of productivity and resiliency. They enhance PCs, and can lead to cost savings, enhanced business continuity, and security.

Migrating to cloud virtual desktops can reduce the costs of purchasing the newest devices and managing outdated infrastructure. Many people still have doubts about switching to the cloud, but cloud-hosted virtual desktops can actually provide higher security and reliability than traditional infrastructure. In the cloud, company data can be stored in multiple redundant data centers and secured with multiple layers of security to ensure that a business is always running, and always secure.

The "PC Does What?!" campaign highlights an increasing trend of the need for portability in devices. Will the outdated 30+ year old PC industry be able to revive itself? If the trend continues towards mobility, people should look to virtual desktops to deliver the convenience they require, and hey, virtual desktops run on both Mac and PC, so you can opt for the operating system of your choice.

Ali Din is SVP and CMO at dinCloud, a cloud services provider that helps organizations rapidly migrate their IT infrastructure to the cloud. With an MBA and over ten years’ marketing experience, Ali provides product marketing and brand management for the company. For more information, visit: www.dincloud.com or follow @dinCloud on Twitter.