Should your next PC be an Always Connected PC?

Always Connected concept is still young

Microsoft's approach to the Always Connected PC concept is still in the early stages, but already we're seeing some incredible hardware be released by partners who are on board with the company's vision. Samsung's Galaxy Book2 is a fine example, coming equipped with a Snapdragon 850 processor (similar to what you'd find inside a smartphone).

The issue we've had with desktop and laptop CPUs is they haven't been anywhere near efficient enough — not even Intel's own laptop-class processors. Only now are we seeing the level of performance and efficiency we've been looking for meet in the middle.

An Always Connected PC is simply a Windows 10 device that supports eSIM and LTE and offers great battery life, regardless of the processor that powers it. It's also capable of instantly turning on when you need it (much like your smartphone) and being ready for the day.

Windows 10 meets solid mobile performance

Performance of a processor in an Always Connected PC will not blow you away but it's more than capable of running Store apps, light software and allowing you to consume media on the go. Microsoft will also force you to use Windows 10 S on Always Connected PCs, meaning you won't be able to install anything that isn't on the Store, unless you upgrade to Windows 10.

This isn't necessarily a drawback since it makes things safer for use in education and it lowers the possibility of something going horribly wrong post-installation.

It's not for everyone, especially if you simply cannot get by with mediocre performance. While I note that there have been considerable improvements made in the processor department for these kinds of devices, they can't compare to mainstream desktop CPUs.

Hold out a little longer

More and more vendors are getting involved with Always Connected PCs and Microsoft will continue the push towards its vision. If none of the current hardware ticks all the boxes, give it some time.