Is Nilay right? Do younger people not give a crap about computers?

Posted by Sammael on March 5, 2012 03:37 am 38

So in one of the recent podcasts, I think it was the last mobile podcast, Nilay mentioned something that horrified me if true. He said that the young kids all play around on their iphones and ipads while the older generation loves computers more...

Do you think that is true? Do you think there is a massive generational shift between the really young gadget users and people who did not grow up with tablets and smartphones in terms of what they enjoy working on?

I asked people to make a choice between 3 tech devices by only choosing 2, and the numbers were basically 90% would keep a phone and computer over any combination that included a tablet, but if what Nilay is saying is true, these little kids growing up today would prefer to ditch the computer in favor of using a tablet...

To me this is madness, but then I don't use a tablet, I do PLENTY of fun things on my computer, and I have yet to play any mobile game that comes close to a free pc game called league of legends, an experience that requires too much control with mouse and keyboard to mimic on devices like tablets... The idea that these little know nothing kids would forgo all that and replace it with angry birds...

I can't have that little faith in humanity, but maybe I am wrong and Nilay is right, is it really as bad as he thinks it is? Do you think tablets/phones will ever be the preferred device for entertainment like games and movies? I think they are better for some select tasks, but I can't see them supplanting the more in depth enjoyment that something like say, a mass effect 3 might give in immersion.. it's just not the same, and the fact that a decent laptop can handle all that and more..