The definition of a PC has evolved significantly throughout my life. They've changed dramatically in form and size, yet until my latest purchase, they shared some basic similarities. My recent acquisition has completely revolutionized my understanding of what a PC can be.

PCs Can Be Laptops

My first computer was a second-hand Dell laptop with a non-functional battery and a dial-up modem. It was essentially an underpowered desktop that I could position on the floor if I wanted to use it while lying down.

This laptop operated on Windows XP, equipped with 128MB of RAM and 8MB of video memory. Though I don't recall the hard drive's capacity, it was modest. It could run StarCraft, but WarCraft 3 required the lowest settings to function, and storage was limited for additional programs.

I don't have any photos from that period, but there are sections of YouTube where you can experience the slow boot times and the colorful taskbar of similar machines.

Yes, I'm aware there are many who adore Windows XP. However, it never appealed to me, even when it was my sole operating system.

PCs Can Also Be Desktops

Surprisingly, I didn't acquire PCs in the order of their invention. I can't recall the exact sequence in which I received the next two computers. One was an old iMac my father brought home from his school. It ran an outdated version of Mac OS, and I couldn't connect it to the internet. This was my only experience with a Mac, and its utility was limited without online access.

My other desktop was my first computer without severe power restrictions. It was an Intel Pentium Dell desktop paired with a large CRT monitor. Similar models can still be found on eBay.

This Dell machine boasted 512MB of RAM, and while I don't remember the video memory specifics, it was sufficient to run Resident Evil 4. This was a popular game on consoles like my PlayStation 2 at the time, and I was amazed. Running StarCraft and WarCraft was effortless, and I could now use more robust office suites like OpenOffice.org instead of lighter applications like AbiWord.

Despite running Windows XP, my fundamental perception of a computer remained the same. It was just an enhanced version of the same experience.

But Laptops Can Be Just As Good

In college, I received a Dell Latitude D630 laptop from the school, which included an NVIDIA graphics card. Though not designed for gaming, it was capable enough to handle Xbox 360-quality games on medium settings, which was the current console generation.

This laptop had a functioning battery, and I was on a campus with broadband internet. Plus, it was wireless! This freedom from being tethered to a wall or limited to slow websites allowed me to stream videos on YouTube and explore Steam, downloading games without relying on installation discs—a significant upgrade for someone from a rural area.

I could also install Ubuntu Linux, which I had first encountered in high school.

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Posts 34 I never returned to a desktop. As an adult, the portability of laptops has become indispensable. If anything, I sought even greater portability in a PC.

Can a Tablet Be a PC?

When tablets became available, I was instantly drawn to the idea of replacing my laptop with one. It was just a matter of finding the right hardware and software combination. I found this in the Toshiba Thrive, a 10-inch tablet running Android 3.0 Honeycomb, designed specifically for tablets.

This tablet featured a full-sized USB port for flash drives, enabling easy file transfers and printer connections without wireless capabilities. I used a Bluetooth keyboard and utilized this tablet in college classes for note-taking and paper writing, despite the immature software at the time. Android has since improved significantly over the past decade and a half.

I've owned various Android tablets since, from the Nexus 7 to the Boox Tab Ultra C. However, after a few months, I always reverted to a laptop. A tablet could function as a PC, but I struggled to make it work long-term.

My Favorite PC Is a Foldable Phone

When I purchased the Galaxy Z Fold 5, it was to use Samsung DeX. I had previously used a Moto Edge 2023 connected to a lapdock and appreciated the concept. I just needed more developed software.

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Posts 33 The Galaxy Z Fold 5 provided that and more. The large interior screen allowed me to do everything I previously needed a laptop for. Samsung's apps are more capable than Google's and many of my favorite desktop Linux apps. The phone's interface enables me to manage apps in windows like other PCs. The stylus has become my primary tool, allowing me to write by hand and eliminating my need for a keyboard.

Additionally, I can connect my Z Fold 6 to a monitor, pair a keyboard and mouse, and enjoy a traditional PC experience.

A Galaxy Z Fold is a true 3-in-1 device that has cemented my loyalty to Android, as no similar device is available in the US. It serves as a phone, tablet, and desktop simultaneously. It's also my preferred eReader, game console, camera, and music player. Essentially, it's more of a pocket computer than smartphones typically are, and it has fundamentally changed how I perceive mobile devices.

If I can write, perform all necessary tasks in a browser, edit images, and manage my files without needing a laptop for months, why not fully embrace this as my sole computer?

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I've been using an Android phone as my primary computer for over a year and a half, with at least a year specifically on a Galaxy Z Fold, transitioning to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 along the way. This shift in mindset has saved me money by reducing the number of devices I need to buy or upgrade, and it continues to influence how I engage with the world.

When your entire working life revolves around a PC, its form significantly impacts your experience. At the end of the day, instead of putting my computer to sleep, I now fold it and slip it into my pocket. My office can be anywhere I choose.

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