Cloud 2.0: Personal Computing
When someones says cloud computing, we usually think about Google, like uploading our pics to Google Photos for backup. To the common person, the cloud is simply a way to synchronize their data or accounts across multiple devices.
Yet, the cloud can permanently revolutionize personal computing.
Why now?
Historically, enterprises will typically adopt technology about 5–10 years ahead of consumers; I believe the cloud is no different. For instance, companies adopted laptops much earlier, but all tech permeates down to consumers eventually.
Most entrepreneurs have been chasing the B2B Saas dream to sell cloud services to businesses, which has been extremely profitable to say the least.
Consumers’ current definition of the cloud is being able to view a Google Doc on different devices or being able to save their photos but this is just the tip of the iceberg. B2B cloud saturation combined with low-cost, easily scalable cloud technology makes this the right time for personal cloud computing to boom.
Google, but way faster
Imagine this, you have 10 tabs open on Chrome. Maybe it’s Google Docs, Slides, Notion, Figma, or whatever. All of a sudden, you notice that your computer starts to become slower. It takes minutes for the next tab or website to load. This occurs because our physical computers have a limited amount of processing power.
If we were to run this same scenario in the cloud, where there is endless computing power, your virtual computer could automatically scale RAM up or down based on how many tabs you have. Basically, have as many websites/applications open as you want, but with instantaneous speed. No more wait, no more lag.
No more limitations.
Companies like Fractal.co and MightyApp are in the early stages of creating this. As we become more digital, high-speed cloud computing will become the equivalent of having high-speed internet.
No More Computers
Here’s another scenario. You buy a Mac for $1500 and have 256GB. After a year or so, you notice that your RAM is full and that you don’t have space. You realize that Apple software takes up 90GB and now you’re going through trying to delete your files, pictures, and more just to free up space! Having a Mac, you can’t upgrade the storage without shelling out a couple hundred bucks.
The cloud fixes this.
Imagine being able to add 100GB to your computer whenever you want for $30 a year instead of buying a new computer?
Traditional personal computing devices like laptops will be replaced as the cloud offers virtual desktops with 10x the memory and speed of current devices. Users will be able to automatically scale up memory, RAM, storage, and change their device configuration as they need (similar to how enterprises are now doing for their workloads).
This could even lead to a change where people only buy a smart screen and access a virtual desktop browser via a subscription model. The entire concept of buying a laptop could disappear as everything happens in the cloud and all we really need is a screen.
The Subscription Model
I envision personal cloud computing would follow a subscription model.
Remember a few years ago how no one really bought a phone? Nearly everyone was on a two year contract with cell service providers. Personal Cloud Computing will work in a similar way.
In a country where median household savings are $5300, buying a $1500 laptop poses a large barrier. What if we could change this to a subscription where users pay $20 or $30 a month for a virtual computer that is just as, if not more, powerful than whatever they would buy. They wouldn’t need to change laptops every 4–5 years and would just need a smart screen.
Similar to how enterprises choose the cloud to avoid heavy initial capital expenditures, average consumers will choose personal cloud computing to have cheaper, easier access to computing.
Finale
There’s tons to come within cloud computing, from virtual desktops to private browsing to better security. 10 years from now, personal computing will look completely different, enabling significantly more access for the average consumer.
