New computer

So many choices do you want a laptop desktop or a tablet. Depends on what you want your computer to do and how powerful it needs to be.

What do you want to do with it? If you don’t need to store files on the computer itself then Chromebooks are cheaper than ones with storage.

If you have the budget, Apple is very user-friendly, and if you have an iPhone and/or an iPad and you get a MacBook they will ‘talk’ to one another, so what you save/write on one will go to the others. They are expensive, although Apple has brought out a new range of what appear to be hybrid devices which are cheaper and very portable. It might be worth looking into those.

When you say ‘computer’, do you mean a desktop with a monitor (ie not a laptop)? They are rarer now for personal use - laptops are more convenient as you can use them anywhere in the house, (or out of it if you like).

Tablets such as iPads are cheaper, and even more portable, but you might want a separate keyboard as typing direct to them can be a pain. If you mainly want to have something to surf the net and maybe play music and watch tv on it, a tablet may be a better option. They are basically a bigger version of a smartphone, and very easy to use.

If you give more information, people will be able to help you regarding models etc.

Good luck - technology can be daunting 😊

Thanks all.
I first did think of a laptop so I could bring it down to the library on Tuesdays if anything goes wrong.
However,, my son is against a
Laptops as he mentioned they don’t last long etc. The one I had which belonged to my granddaughter lasted 5 years altogether.
I use it mainly for Microsoft's Word, photo storage, recipes. Just every day stuff that oldies like!

If you have the space, a desktop and monitor is much better for you. You can choose the monitor size you want, and sit in an ergonomic position protecting your back and wrists. With a laptop, you are forced into the same position, leading to a rounded upper back.

I'd agree that a desktop is much easier to use. If you want something portable you could always take your phone out with you.
I switched from a PC to an Apple about 18 months ago, they're much less bulky. All I have on dispay is an attractive screen on a stand, the keybourd and mouse are small, wireless, and can easily to slipped into a drawer if you want to clear the space. So you don't have wires everywhere or a box-type computer - though you do obviously have to charge the separate components from time to time. The bonus for me is that I can also charge my mobile using the neat sockets on the back of the screen.

It is a long time since we moved from a desktop to laptops. I could not imagine going back to the large fixture. I have Microsoft laptop in thin aluminium case. I love the keyboard for typing and the screen for viewing TV/video etc. So neat that can take on holidays if I wish. This is my second one of similar design. I think I wore out the last one ... certainly got my use of it over c 7 yrs so did not begrudge replacing it.

I can't imagine going back to the confines of a desktop either. I have used laptops for many years, and much prefer them. I can surf the net watching tv for instance, and don't have to go upstairs to check emails or do admin, which I did when the desktop was up there.

The laptop I have now (MacBook Air) was bought in 2020 and is still going strong. It is lightweight and easy to use. I don't understand the comment about being 'forced' into a position to use a laptop - I am currently on the sofa doing a grocery order, but if I want to do more sustained typing I can easily move to a table or use the desk in my office, which is where a desktop keyboard would be. Laptops are easier to position for things like Zoom/Teams or FaceTime if you use them, too. Raising the camera (I have a metal stand that does that easily) prevents the 'up the nostril' view when talking to others that can happen when the camera is too low.

Obviously there are very different views about it, and ultimately it is your call, but as someone who uses a computer a lot, I wouldn't dream of going back to a desktop.

I use a Lenovo laptop, 15" screen size.

It fits on the arm of my chair, and is very easy to use. It is touchscreen and you can zoom font size, making it easier to read.

Although I love my ipad, if you need Word or Excel, or do lots of typing, I think the best choice is a Windows laptop.

Good luck with your choice.

I'm joining in this conversation partly to give an opinion, but also to squeal 'help'!
I have always had desk tops, situated in the little bedroom amongst all sorts of folders, files, photos, old letters, etc - not posh enough to call it a study!

Ihave always had desktops, with Microsoft Windows 9, then 10 at the moment but my present one is about 10 years old and Microsoft have turned up their nose and said that my PC is too old to cope with the new Windows 11

The Dell PC works perfectly, but I'm going to have to save for a new replacement, as all the useful things I like have stopped working properly. For example, Microsoft Outlook has been brilliant for dealing with, and sorting emails, in and out, but now I'm having a nightmare as it seems to allow the odd email to arrive, but not necessarily in time and date order.
Of course I had to buy a screen and keyboard, but they still work perfectly. I can't remember whether the PC came with a mouse or whether I had to buy that separately too.
NAt least I dont have to buy the aforementioned.

Meanwhile, if anyone is in the same boat as me - my PC no longer behaving properly a lot of the time because of the missing Microsoft Windows, any advice or help will be welcome.

That's another drawback too. As well as having to buy a new desktop PC , I shall then have to pay for Windows 11 !

Cath9

Thanks all.
I first did think of a laptop so I could bring it down to the library on Tuesdays if anything goes wrong.
However,, my son is against a
Laptops as he mentioned they don’t last long etc. The one I had which belonged to my granddaughter lasted 5 years altogether.
I use it mainly for Microsoft's Word, photo storage, recipes. Just every day stuff that oldies like!

I don't know where he gets the idea that a laptop doesn't last long. One of my Macs lasted 13 years!

An iPad should suit your needs perfectly.

I am in the same boat that Microsoft will not accept my 5 years old computer for their new windows 11. Presumably because they will want to install all kinds of AI on it. If I am forced to buy a new computer, then I aim to be switching over to a Linux laptop, to be free of microsoft's dominance.

Buy the best spec you can afford.
My Lenovo Yoga, bought from John Lewis is now 8 years' old and recently I was able to upgrade to Windows 11. Their ideapad is the modern upgrade (it also flips over to become a touch screen pad) If you are near a JL, it is useful to go look around the choices.
Not a fan of HP ( lots of plastic insides, or Toshiba (I bought 30 each of these for a group and within a year half were broken).

Not so much about the brand but the spec:

1. How much do you use it?
2. How good are your eyes? This goes to screen size and the quality of the graphics card (Nvidia for gaming, Intel or AMD for general use)
3. What are you going to use it for? Do you watch films, play games? This goes to the speed - some are gaming versions
4. Do you have a lot of discs? If so you may need a CD/DVD drive. You can buy them externally but will need to ensure that you have a extra USB port for this.
5. How do you charge your phone/connect to download photographs? Mine has a small connection point that matches my phone
6. Many PCs/Laptops come with different amounts of memory, and what appears to be a bargain may be short of this. If you are buying a PC then you need to discuss the number of memory slots and their size if you are buying only 256kb. I would recommend 1TB but this can be more expensive.
7. Will you be using it out and about? Then you may need to ask about battery life (can vary from about 6 to 12)
8. Recommend one with SSD and if you are gaming or video editing then splash out for NVMe
9. As to USB ports then USB3is compatible with any USB2 sticks you may have, but there is a USBc which is a different shape that you may need in the future.
10. If you have MS office then ask about transfer of the license, buy a new one, or if you go for Office 365 you may have to pay an annual fee to use.
11. Look at the "mouse" that you are used to using. One of the reasons I chose mine was the central pad position ( I am quite ambidextrous) many of the new ones are slightly to the left which I found awkward when doing scroll/click on my lap)

rowyn

I'm joining in this conversation partly to give an opinion, but also to squeal 'help'!
I have always had desk tops, situated in the little bedroom amongst all sorts of folders, files, photos, old letters, etc - not posh enough to call it a study!

Ihave always had desktops, with Microsoft Windows 9, then 10 at the moment but my present one is about 10 years old and Microsoft have turned up their nose and said that my PC is too old to cope with the new Windows 11

The Dell PC works perfectly, but I'm going to have to save for a new replacement, as all the useful things I like have stopped working properly. For example, Microsoft Outlook has been brilliant for dealing with, and sorting emails, in and out, but now I'm having a nightmare as it seems to allow the odd email to arrive, but not necessarily in time and date order.
Of course I had to buy a screen and keyboard, but they still work perfectly. I can't remember whether the PC came with a mouse or whether I had to buy that separately too.
NAt least I dont have to buy the aforementioned.

Meanwhile, if anyone is in the same boat as me - my PC no longer behaving properly a lot of the time because of the missing Microsoft Windows, any advice or help will be welcome.

That's another drawback too. As well as having to buy a new desktop PC , I shall then have to pay for Windows 11 !

I still use and prefer a desktop and as I'm on my own the back bedroom is an office of sorts. I updated my PC a couple of years ago and you won't have to buy Windows 11 as it will come pre installed along with any other bits you want eg a browser.
At work I got all the staff using computers to do an ergonomic course as it's better to sit at a screen than hunch over a laptop. I don't use a mobile so to be able to do a lot of things like online banking it's a godsend (mind you I would never do financial transactions on a mobile anyway - my PC has a very good antivirus)

Speak to Age UK . They have IT advisors who will visit you at home and advise on what computer and then help to setit up.