One of the tricky things about post-PC is that there is no clear definition of what actually is a post-PC device. Without a clear definition, it’s tricky for some people to believe that post-PC is even a discrete thing in its own right, let alone balance the relatively merits of different products from different vendors. My working definition comprises seven attributes. This is an improvement on the four attributes that I was using about a year ago. This topic is covered in detail in Chapter 1 of my “Death of the PC” book. Here’s a presentation that talks about that chapter and goes through each of the seven attributes in “summary level” detail.

1. The Seven Attributes of
Post-PC Devices
Matt Baxter-Reynolds
August 2013

2. This presentation is taken from
Chapter 1 of my book, “Death of the
PC”
Chapter 1 Post-PC defined (this presentation)
Chapter 2 Post-PC exemplified
Chapter 3 The enterprise niche
Chapter 4 Post-PC at home
Chapter 5 Post-PC at work
Chapter 6 Investing in post-PC
Chapter 7 The future of post-PC Watch me explain the
“seven attributes” on
YouTube…

3. Defining Post-PC
• People find it difficult to define what post-
PC is…
– By creating a reliable set of attributes we can
measure just post-PC a device, some
software, or a feature is…

4. “Always-connected”
• Your data is in the cloud
• Your friends and family are on their
devices
• The post-PC device is most valuable when
connected…
– …by connecting you to the people and the
things that you love

5. “Always-connected” (2)
• Post-PC devices suffer if it if not
connected…
– PC’s remain more comparatively more
functional when disconnected

6. “Always-available”
• The post-PC device is always with you
• Smartphones are “hyperportable”…
– Socially, there is an expectation that you have
one with you
– We’re used to carrying them around
– They’re designed (size, weight) to be always
with us

7. “Always-available” (2)
• Tablets are less portable…
– Live with you in a space, moves around that
space when you need it
– e.g. find recipe on sofa in lounge, take tablet
to kitchen with you to cook

8. “Always-available” (3)
• PCs are not portable…
– They require “un-portable” specialist
equipment (desk, chair) to be usable
– Power is also a problem

9. “Relationship-centric”
• The primary objective of post-PC devices
is to connect you to…
– The people that you love
– The things that you love

10. “Relationship-centric” (2)
• The primary objective of a PC is to drive
commercial efficiency…
– “We can manage our cashflow better if we
computerise our account department.”

11. “Low cognitive-loading/Appliance-like”
• Post-PC devices are boneheadedly simple
to use
• They behave like appliances…
– “Turn oven on, put food in, food gets hot”
• They look like appliances…
– Designed around a handful tasks, done in a
refined and reliable manner

12. “Low cognitive-loading/Appliance-like” (2)
• PCs are…
• Complex, configurable, multifunctional
• (Comparatively) difficult to use and keep stable

13. “End-to-end security/Intimidation-free”
• Post-PC devices actively protect user
against…
– Exploitation
– Intimidation
– Embarrassment

14. “End-to-end security/Intimidation-free” (2)
• They do this through control…
• Control of what the user can do…
– Locking down the OS
• Control of what the user can install…
– App store curation, static and dynamic
validation

15. “Monochronistic”
• Post-PC devices are one task at a time…
– By now familiar metaphor of jumping in and
out of apps
– This is deliberate and the genius of that
design is not to be underestimated
– Monochronicity creates focus, ease of use

16. “Monochronistic” (2)
• Use of a post-PC device is not what you’re
primarily doing…
– The relationship you’re engaged in is instead
– e.g. taking photos of the kids and sharing on
Instagram – enjoying the kids playing is what
you’re primarily doing

17. “Monochronistic” (3)
• PC’s are polychronistic…
– Complex, focused work requires this
– WIMP interface (windows, icons, menus, and
pointer) is built around polychronicity

18. “Primarily touch-based”
• Post-PC devices are touch based
• Helps with being “always-available”…
– No stylus, no particular configuration of
physical user space required
• Helps with being “appliance-like”…
– Reduces cognitive load
– Touch is easier, more basic, more human

19. In summary
• The attributes we learnt about are:
– Always-connected
– Always-available
– Relationship-centric
– Low cognitive-loading/appliance-like
– End-to-end security/intimidation-free
– Monochronistic
– Primarily touch-based

20. Thanks for watching!
• Learn more about “Death of the PC”
– http://theplatform.io/death-of-the-pc/
Watch me explain the
“seven attributes” on
YouTube…