Is desktop dead?

Envelope. Notepad. Recycle bin. Calculator. 

No, I’m not talking about the objects cluttering your office, I’m talking about the iconic desktop apps that made Windows Office what it is today. 

These apps are more than just a hit of nostalgia; they represent the foundation of digital productivity. For decades, desktop apps have offered high performance processing and reliability, all without the need for an internet connection.

The problem? They’re being double-clicked a whole lot less than they used to be. The tech landscape is evolving and cloud-based applications are surging in popularity. The cloud promises accessibility and collaboration from any device, anywhere in the world.

Despite this shift, it's too early to declare desktop apps obsolete. I'm here to champion the so-called "outdated" technology.

Why we love cloud-based apps

Over the last decade, cloud technology has radically changed the way we work, handle transactions and enjoy entertainment – and it’s not slowing down. According to Gartner, global user spending on public cloud services is forecasted to grow by 20.4% in 2024, reaching $678 billion.

It's easy to see why. The cloud has been the next big thing for some time now. The term "the cloud" even became one of the early 2000s' top buzzwords.

And with all that hype comes substantial investment. During the 2010s, investors were eager to throw their money at app companies leveraging new cloud technology as microservices. This funding focus has resulted in a significant shift in app development, leaving desktop apps in the dust, with little to no attention. 

The cloud's appeal lies in its accessibility and convenience, allowing users to access data and tools from anywhere with an internet connection. The data from the run you logged on Strava, your meditation on Headspace and that Duolingo Spanish lesson are all stored in the cloud for your convenience.

Productivity apps like Lumin and Google Workspace can leverage the cloud for real-time collaboration, eliminating the need to save and send multiple document versions. Integrating with the cloud also offers automatic updates, enhanced security and effortless scalability, making it a no-brainer for app developers.

While it may seem app development is heading for the clouds, cloud apps aren’t necessarily the be-all and end-all. Desktop apps here on the ground are far from obsolete. In fact, they offer distinct advantages that cloud apps often can't match.

Is there a place for desktop apps?

Let’s compare apps to cars for a minute. 

If a cloud-based app were a car, it’d be a Tesla S: futuristic, automated and equipped with the latest technology. While cloud apps have every advanced feature under the sun, they lack that raw performance. 

A desktop app would be a Ford Mustang. Classic, reliable and powerful. Desktop apps might not have the flashiest designs but under the hood their performance far surpasses cloud apps.

Tasks such as graphic design, video editing and gaming demand significant processing power. Desktop apps are superior in these areas because they leverage the full capability of powerful hardware.

While uploading all your data to the cloud sounds convenient, let’s be honest: internet speeds often can't keep up. The performance of desktop Skyrim is unmatched compared to The Elder Scrolls Online.

Until cloud apps can match the capabilities of advanced desktop apps and the power of high-end technical hardware, they still have a long way to go.

With everything hooked into the internet these days, desktop apps enjoy another distinct advantage – they can operate without requiring an internet connection. The freedom of being able to work or create wherever you are is key, whether you're in the heart of a bustling city or deep in the remote wilderness of the Amazon rainforest.

Enthusiasts often rush to embrace the latest technology, dismissing anything older. However, history proves that innovation isn’t always the answer. Some of the greatest technological successes are measured by their longevity, not just their innovation. The IBM mainframe, predicted to die in the 1990s, still thrives and generates growing revenues today.

Similarly, COBOL, expected to vanish after the 1960s, remains widely used. Even the infamous prediction that the iPhone would fail turned out to be completely wrong.

The next wave

The next wave of apps is already here. Did you miss it? They’re called hybrid apps and allow users to enjoy the best of both worlds.

In 2012, Microsoft took a leaf out of Google’s book and integrated their traditional desktop suite into the cloud. Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint fans were able to use these apps offline while also basking in the benefits of cloud connectivity once online.

Many tech giants are heading this way too. Adobe Creative Cloud suite provides users with desktop applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere Pro while also offering cloud-based storage, collaboration and syncing capabilities. 

Remember your favorite envelope, notepad, recycle bin and calculator? All of these classic desktop apps can now be accessed remotely. The idea being that these original Windows tools are available for any Macbook, iPad, Android tablet, smart TV or smartphone. 

So, is desktop dead?

While cloud apps are gaining traction, desktop apps are far from dead. Despite the hype from enthusiasts, cloud apps still can't match the raw performance and hardware integration of desktop software. 

Will desktop apps exist in 10 years? Absolutely, though they will evolve.

Hybrid apps are the future, combining the best of both worlds; and they’re here to stay. Generation Z may not remember the floppy disk, but they will know desktop apps.