Are computer specs important for the everyday user?
Yes, they are. But why? As most gamers would tell you that it would be for playing the latest videogames. Apple advertisements would have you believe that an extra powerful processor will make your computer usable. While all of these are true to some extent, yet is all this techological splendor really important to your average everyday Joe?
On one hand, the fact that technological specs are central to the user experience is absolutely true. Computers are not like people, they do not evolve. Therefore, buying a computer which has specs suiting your need does make for a better user experience. User experience, in our times, can basically be defined as having a smooth loading, fast interface which never crashes or fails. And in most cases the secret to providing this is having good technological specifications. By being aware of a product’s specifications and choosing exactly the right tool for what the user needs, the average Joe will enjoy his computer use much, much more.
Yet how much is decided by a computer’s specifications in our modern times? Decidedly not much. We live in an age, where the evolution of technology is most probably reaching somewhat of a plateau. Specs don’t rule the playfield anymore, the GUI and the operating system do. So, in terms of the experience of the end user, having a smooth running and easy to use operating system may be of greater importance. As defined by apple, a good product is the meeting point of technology and innovation. In an age where the technology is highly developed, the focus turns to the innovation. More and more can be achieved by having a better OS. For example, the Apple iOS is capable of making even older phones run smoothly, whereas Android OS can crash even the most advanced of telephones. Therefore, picking the most innovative product may guarantee a better experience than a product with the best specifications. It just comes down to a user’s needs.
As with most questions in the world, there is no definite answer. If the average Joe wants to run five copies of a new game at once, and play at a hundred FPS, then the specs are of course necessary. Yet for most people, who require usability from their products are not as dependent on the nitty-gritty of technical specifications.
On one hand, the fact that technological specs are central to the user experience is absolutely true. Computers are not like people, they do not evolve. Therefore, buying a computer which has specs suiting your need does make for a better user experience. User experience, in our times, can basically be defined as having a smooth loading, fast interface which never crashes or fails. And in most cases the secret to providing this is having good technological specifications. By being aware of a product’s specifications and choosing exactly the right tool for what the user needs, the average Joe will enjoy his computer use much, much more.
Yet how much is decided by a computer’s specifications in our modern times? Decidedly not much. We live in an age, where the evolution of technology is most probably reaching somewhat of a plateau. Specs don’t rule the playfield anymore, the GUI and the operating system do. So, in terms of the experience of the end user, having a smooth running and easy to use operating system may be of greater importance. As defined by apple, a good product is the meeting point of technology and innovation. In an age where the technology is highly developed, the focus turns to the innovation. More and more can be achieved by having a better OS. For example, the Apple iOS is capable of making even older phones run smoothly, whereas Android OS can crash even the most advanced of telephones. Therefore, picking the most innovative product may guarantee a better experience than a product with the best specifications. It just comes down to a user’s needs.
As with most questions in the world, there is no definite answer. If the average Joe wants to run five copies of a new game at once, and play at a hundred FPS, then the specs are of course necessary. Yet for most people, who require usability from their products are not as dependent on the nitty-gritty of technical specifications.
Joel L are discussing.
Joel L 14:05 on December 3, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I’m a bit late to this party, but:
“Apple advertisements would have you believe that an extra powerful processor will make your computer usable.” -> What alternate universe Apple ads have you been watching?
“User experience, in our times, can basically be defined as having a smooth loading, fast interface which never crashes or fails.”
No. Based on this definition, a super-fast-loading app that doesn’t help the user at all (ie. is useless) provides a great user experience.
Or a text editor that – by design – doesn’t allow you to type certain (randomly selected) letters. Would be extremely frustrating and unusable in practice, but lovely based on these criteria.
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You use a “one one hand / on the other hand” structure, but the statements in the “on one hand” are incorrect, and the combination of the two is very confusing. One one hand, Hitler loved jews. Yet he wanted to kill them all.
Godwin’s law.
Paavo Viilup 08:33 on December 4, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Furthermore, the “one the hand / on the other hand” is also stylistically faulty. It’s a classic really – the one hand is there, but the other one doesn’t really make an appearance at all.
Otherwise, I do not really get the whole usability debate. You need optimally chosen hardware to support the chosen interface, but you don’t really need it?