While the tech-media has done a fair job at looking to see what the software-side of 2005 might bring, so far not too many writers out there have explored the possibilities of what up and coming hardware will look like. Well, until now that is…

Consumers thinking about buying a new computer in 2005 might be better off putting off their purchase until 2006. With few major changes in PC hardware or software due over the next year, the PC of 2005 is likely to look awfully similar to the PC of today.

Big changes aren’t due until 2006, when the Longhorn operating system from Microsoft, 64-bit applications, and optical drives based on the Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD formats will become available to the average user.

Still, that doesn’t mean there are no technologies worth looking out for if you do plan to upgrade in 2005.

Chipping In

Intel and Advanced Micro Devices are expected to unveil dual-core chips–which contain two processor cores on a single piece of silicon–by the end of 2005, although they probably won’t appear in mainstream PCs until well into 2006, says Stephen Baker, director of industry analysis at NPD Techworld in Reston, Virginia.