I don't think you need to be a "core" gamer to have heard of, and probably played, Portal.
Are we seeing a pendulum swing or are we seeing the end of PC?
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I don't think you need to be a "core" gamer to have heard of, and probably played, Portal.
Conversely, this line of reasoning doesn't make much sense unless you assume that people can only use a single distribution channel. You made it clear that you only use the App Store and not Steam but I don't think there's any reason to assume that that behavior is particularly widespread just because it's how you behave.
Again, the point is that Steam is a microcosm, a cross section of the gaming community. If people also get games from the App Store then fine but the existence of said store does not invalidate the point that games that are exclusive to Steam are wildly popular but are apparently proportionally less popular on the Mac. The numbers show that. So why do you suppose that is? TF2 is very popular in the gaming community
So where are you drawing the line between "core" gamers and gamers? Because I don't think people who don't go beyond, say, playing Angry Birds really count as "gamers" in this context.
I don't think so. As long as there are companies with personnel (Ford Motor Co. for ex.). The desktop computer will be in need by the regular user. For the Engineer, they will likely be using something else. At least in 2006 Ford was using Sun Microsystems, but I see that has changed. Big business CAN'T use iPads, the power just isn't there.
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I love my desktop, but sometimes I think how nice it would be to have a desktop replacement laptop with a nice big screen and ample HDD. I say this because we just moved, and lugging my PC with all of it's cables, external drives, desktop, monitor, accessories, etc., made me think extra hard on that possibility in the future. 
Though if I did slim things down, I'd probably just get an all-in-one desktop.
Though if I did slim things down, I'd probably just get an all-in-one desktop.
I'm not talking about titles, I'm talking about the Steam service.
I actually never said that I use the App store, in fact I've bought one game from the App Store and one game from Steam (if the Orange Box counts as a game), but I dispute the notion that Steam represents a "microcosm" of computer gaming as a whole - you'd need to prove that somehow by say indicating what percentage of game sales is on Steam.
Just because Team Fortress 2 is on Steam means nothing unless you think only people that enjoy first-person shooters are "real" gamers. Hell I've been playing games for over 30 years and I've never played it; nor am I likely to and FPS is one of my least favourite genres; I'm not alone either. Given that FPS isn't popular in Japan indicates that it's not a relevant benchmark.
I guess you didn't read the last part of my sentence: over time. And define "regular user" I'd wager the majority of home computer users surf the web and that's about it - they sure as hell don't need a desktop for that.
Speaking just for myself, I don't game on the Mac platform because to get a video card that even begins to approach what I want, I need to get a Mac Pro desktop which starts at 2499.00 and at that only an ATI 5770.
I currently game on a system where the parts cost me half that (right at 1200.00) and the video card is better. When I spec the Mac Pro close to my system it runs over 3000.00.
Another problem is that many games are not Mac available. I am currently playing and enjoying Global Agenda (a free MMO/FPS/RPG). There servers are quite populated with players but it is not compatible with Mac. It is not the only title I have played like that.
Finally dual booting a Mac into Windows would only be an argument for me to get a Mac if someone could give me a significant reason to use OS about equal to the need for having Windows to run all the games I want. Interface differences don't mean squat to me unless one interface is nearly unusable which is not the case with either OS.
I currently game on a system where the parts cost me half that (right at 1200.00) and the video card is better. When I spec the Mac Pro close to my system it runs over 3000.00.
Another problem is that many games are not Mac available. I am currently playing and enjoying Global Agenda (a free MMO/FPS/RPG). There servers are quite populated with players but it is not compatible with Mac. It is not the only title I have played like that.
Finally dual booting a Mac into Windows would only be an argument for me to get a Mac if someone could give me a significant reason to use OS about equal to the need for having Windows to run all the games I want. Interface differences don't mean squat to me unless one interface is nearly unusable which is not the case with either OS.
I love my desktop, but sometimes I think how nice it would be to have a desktop replacement laptop with a nice big screen and ample HDD. I say this because we just moved, and lugging my PC with all of it's cables, external drives, desktop, monitor, accessories, etc., made me think extra hard on that possibility in the future.
Don't be so sure that would help. I have been using my laptop as a desktop, too, and it amounts to the same amount of cables, actually placed more inconveniently through the room because of the scarcity of wall sockets. I have up to two external hard drives connected to it, speakers and sometimes a tv device and the LAN cable is running through half the room.
My laptop had to be repaired recently and I had to use my old desktop computer for the duration which I hadn't switched on for years. While the experience wan't great it apparently created the wish in me to finally get a new, good and shiny PC. A friend of mine is also considering this. So, from purely anecdotal evidence, I'd say the PC will have a comeback. There are pretty neat PC solutions out there now.
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I love my desktop, but sometimes I think how nice it would be to have a desktop replacement laptop with a nice big screen and ample HDD. I say this because we just moved, and lugging my PC with all of it's cables, external drives, desktop, monitor, accessories, etc., made me think extra hard on that possibility in the future.
Don't be so sure that would help. I have been using my laptop as a desktop, too, and it amounts to the same amount of cables, actually placed more inconveniently through the room because of the scarcity of wall sockets. I have up to two external hard drives connected to it, speakers and sometimes a tv device and the LAN cable is running through half the room.
My laptop had to be repaired recently and I had to use my old desktop computer for the duration which I hadn't switched on for years. While the experience wan't great it apparently created the wish in me to finally get a new, good and shiny PC. A friend of mine is also considering this. So, from purely anecdotal evidence, I'd say the PC will have a comeback. There are pretty neat PC solutions out there now.
I figured as much. I guess I'm just tired of wires everywhere, coupled with just too many parts all around.
Long as you don't need the external crap though, you're good. The only reason I don't have a laptop is I have my Mini connected to the TV; for a quick look at a webpage on the go the iPhone does the job.
Well, a laptop does have advantages, of course. Mobility is the most important one. On the other hand, ergonomically, the set-up isn't that comfortable. I originally got mine so I could work more efficiently at the university library.
You can minimise clutter to a degree. There are external hard drives available that don't need to be hooked up to electricity, for one. I'm not a fan of wireless mice and keyboards because at least mice use a lot of battery. W-Lan also comes with problems. It was pretty unstable for me. Your experience may be different.
There are also pretty small and stylish PCs around these days. It's really quite exiting. I've already found the one I want after a few hours of searching. Hopefully, everything will work out as I want it to be.
Apple's bluetooth mice/keyboards do a great job on battery life. I use two AA/LR6 2100MaH rechargeable batteries and change them once a month after an hour of daily use.
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I use a Logitech V220 wireless mouse, for about 4-8 hours a day, and have to change out my batteries about once a month as well. They're very good on batteries.
I have a wireless Logitech trackball I use for hours a day and I change the batteries once every few months. I have a wireless Microsoft keyboard that's had the same batteries for over a year and I haven't had to change them--and I type a lot. 
I was concerned about the battery life of wireless input devices, but the ones I've used are pretty damn solid and reliable.
I was concerned about the battery life of wireless input devices, but the ones I've used are pretty damn solid and reliable.
I have a wireless Logitech trackball I use for hours a day and I change the batteries once every few months. I have a wireless Microsoft keyboard that's had the same batteries for over a year and I haven't had to change them--and I type a lot.
I was concerned about the battery life of wireless input devices, but the ones I've used are pretty damn solid and reliable.
Any preference for battery brand?
can't really say that that I've done any specific testing but I find that the Engerisers last quite well (logitech LX710).
I have a wireless Logitech trackball I use for hours a day and I change the batteries once every few months. I have a wireless Microsoft keyboard that's had the same batteries for over a year and I haven't had to change them--and I type a lot.
I was concerned about the battery life of wireless input devices, but the ones I've used are pretty damn solid and reliable.
Any preference for battery brand?
can't really say that that I've done any specific testing but I find that the Engerisers last quite well (logitech LX710).
I use Energizers. Not for any real reason other than they seem to work well. I know those cheap off-brand batteries are pure garbage. It's hard to go wrong with Energizer or Duracell.
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Eveready are pretty good if you get the higher end versions, but by then you're paying the same price as Duracell or Energizer. Walmart used to sell a brand I can't recall the name of now, but the battery was black with a green line, and they were as good as Energizer/Duracell at half the price. Then they stopped selling them.
So I just use Duracell rechargeables.
So I just use Duracell rechargeables.
I've never found rechargeables to be worth the hassle.
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Really? I rotate a total of 8 at all times. 4 in the charger, two in the camera, one in the mouse, one in the emergency flashlight. I always have battery power on hand in case I need it, with 4 ready for any other devices that need instant power. It does cost, but the batteries themselves have lasted a very long time in terms of active life. I only replace them with new sets every 3 or 4 years. I save a ton of money on the camera alone.
I use rechargeables exclusively, I normally get them from Maplin; I have a few Duracell ones that came with a charger that doubles as a USB power source (the only time I buy alkalines is for long plane trips with that function in mind).
And I'm just saying that people who have played games which require Steam will obviously know what Steam is, at least to a limited extent.
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