Why different form factors are fitting

In the past I’ve discussed the evolution of the PC, particularly as it relates to the internal components that affect how smart or intelligent a computer is. However, one area that has also seen a lot of change since the early 1980s is the physical layout of the device – its form factor.? From towers, all-in-ones, and mini-PCs, to ultrabooks, dual-screens, and now foldables and even rollable concepts, people have more options than ever before. We’re constantly evolving tech to meet the consistently changing needs of society, and form factors are a key part of it.?

With so many choices it can be difficult for people to decide which device they may need to achieve various outcomes. It can also be easy to initially discount the more novel ideas as impractical, as part of an elimination process, in search of what can solve for the needs of today, rather than worrying about the possibilities of tomorrow. However, a balance of both is needed in order to keep up with the fast pace of tech advancement and ensure you’re always selecting the form factor that fits the need – both present and future.?

Don’t malign technology. It could change

When analyzing the potential use cases of a given form factor, especially one that is entirely new – like Lenovo’s rollable PC and Motorola smartphone proof of concepts – it can be difficult at first to envision a valid usability scenario. However, one thing I’ve learned in my career is even if it appears as science fiction at a given time, I don’t malign technology. If there’s any certainty to life it's that things can change, and often it’s in ways we never expect. Yet, it’s important to distinguish between technology for the sake of technology, and technology that makes the user experience better. The line between these options can often be gray, especially in the early stages of development, review and experimentation.?

When considering this truth, I’m reminded of a particular interaction I had while in graduate school.?

It was mid-1980. I had just used a DynaTAC 8000X mobile phone. It worked, but reception changed as you walked a few steps. During a graduate seminar, a person spoke about a new cellular-based wireless phone technology. It was delivered under the pretence that it would solve all the issues of current mobile phones including weak connectivity, poor sound quality, and compatibility issues.?

At the time, the room was filled with scepticism. Does this guy really know what he’s talking about? Is this actually going to happen? Is it just sci-fi or even a fad????

Today, a look inside any office or vehicle shows just how successful and ubiquitous cellular technology has become. In fact, the global smartphone market size was reportedly valued at US$457.18 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach US$792.51 billion by 2029. It proved to be clearly more than a fad and its enduring success can be credited to the fact that it was created to solve a user need and to improve the experience, not just to prove it could be done.

The take-home message here is that no matter how novel or far-fetched a piece of technology appears right now, don’t discount how quickly technology advances to solve challenges, allowing the device to become incredibly valuable in the future.

Fit for purpose means fit for the user – and sometimes a balance is needed

Whether traditional or groundbreaking, when it comes to selecting a form factor it has to be done with a sense of purpose. One must be clear on what their needs are, how they intend to use it, and what benefits each form factor can lend specific to fulfilling the need.?

Regardless of if you are a consumer or a business, selecting the best technology form factors for purpose is about striking a balance between seizing the best tech that’s available as well as understanding the user experience and the expectations that stem from that. Framing technology in the context of user experience is how value is derived and understood.?

When customer research data is analyzed, for example, it is revealed that many customer complaints are actually ‘wants’ in disguise. The customer may verbalize that they wish the screen had a higher resolution or that the battery afforded a longer life. In those instances, what they’re describing is a gap in that device’s ability to meet their specific need, but often they don’t realize it as such. However, based on the form factor, engineering, and design choices that went into producing the device, the desired changes the customer expressed, may not be possible. Therefore, an assessment of what’s most important to them is needed in order for that person to identify what they value less.

To put this in perspective, let’s consider the fact that many gamers desire a high-performance device - specifically in terms of speed and storage capacity. This means that they'd generally put less value on a device that is ultra-thin or light-weight, as these characteristics rarely coincide in one device without trade-offs.??

Another example is battery technology. There are options available for fast-charging, super high-capacity and super-long-life, but generally not all three at once. People have to assess how they plan to use the device and which feature would best accommodate that use case, selecting the one that aligns most seamlessly. This idea of balance is true for most technology decisions, as it’s rare that every user need can be satisfied in one device as a one-size-fits-all.?

This is why I believe that the overarching goal behind any technological development should be to create the best overall experience for the user in different iterations, rather than attempt to solve every single conflicting pain point in a single device. So the questions that we as engineers need to answer are: How would a customer use it? Does it make their experience better?

Any given form factor has to be designed with a use case in mind and, provided we have factored in and addressed these two questions, then, it’s on the user to select the device that makes the most sense for them. This idea of usability is what drives value.?

Based on this, I think there needs to be more awareness around the need for individuals and companies alike to identify the function that's most important for them and their teams to accomplish their intended objective. They then need to understand the trade-offs that come with what they choose and have some foresight into how the form factors of today can also support the needs of tomorrow.? As with any aspect of life, it’s a balancing act. Finding the right equilibrium between user needs, priorities, and how technology will empower the vision for the future.