Could you really go without a desktop computer?

With the ongoing rise of mobile devices like tablet computers and the Ultrabook™, people are paying less attention to traditional desktop PCs. However, even in a world that's going increasingly mobile, many are wondering if they could go entirely without their desktops.

The answer is an emphatic "It depends." For many people, the desktop PC is nothing more than a dust collector, sitting there in the living room taking up valuable real estate. For others, the desktop is still the go-to computer when you want to get things done.

People who don't take a significant amount of work home with them can probably live without a desktop computer. Those whose computing activities are primarily centered on around non-gaming entertainment and information consumption are likely better served by a tablet computer or notebook, which is more convenient for using while on the couch or in bed.

In contrast, people who often work from home or have processor-intensive hobbies -- designers and recording artists, for example -- may still benefit from a desktop computer. What the desktop lacks in portability compared to more modern devices, it often makes up for in processing power. For some, the desktop also is the ideal workplace tool for taking care of business.