laptops

I changed to a lap top some years ago and love its flexibility. DH and I used to share a computer and we found we both needed it at the same time. We also wanted to be able to take it to meetings and away on trips so we both got an HP from John Lewis- excellent service. We use Windows 10 and the usual Office suite. Our local computer shop sets up laptops at no extra charge - I think there must be a number of shops like these all over the country. Friends have told me of bad experiences and long waits at PC World!!

PC World aaaaggghhhh !!!

My laptop sits lonely in my study. I have a new love affair with my iPad.

I have two laptops. The large one I bought and sits on my desk and doesn't travel. The smaller one comes with me when we travel.

I have thought about getting a tablet but it lacks a proper keyboard and a lot of what occupies my time on the computer is editing and writing text, manipulating spreadsheets or doing powerpoint presentations and for that you really do need a proper keyboard.

My computer was set up in the spare room and when my daughter needed to lodge with us I had no where to move it to. So I bought a laptop to use while she was with us, well that was 3yrs ago and I've hardly used the computer again since. The laptop does everything I need and my ipad similarly I do most of my printing from the ipad . I've never looked back I'd say go for it.

I too now have a laptop. Bought on line - much cheaper than in shop. Just check the battery life of whatever u buy. I.e. how long it will last before it needs recharging.

We also used to have a dedicated desk/place for the computer and all its accessories. Changed to a laptop several years ago and do not miss the PC at all. We chose one with a larger screen, 15" I think. It was easy to set up too. Would never go back to a PC now. In fact the laptop hardly comes out of the drawer now, we always use our tablets.

I think your first choice is do you want to be mobile with your new laptop or not? I have a 17 inch screen laptop that I wouldn't want to travel with but it works beautifully with an Ipad which I travel with.

I have always had a wireless keyboard and mouse that I use with my laptop. This means the wear is taken by the keyboard and often wear the letters off , leaving my laptop pristine. I also dislike the touch pad so use a wireless mouse instead. Its then exactly like using a PC.

IF you retain the monitor/flat screen with your current PC you can connect that to your new laptop also, gaining a larger display.

I wouldn't swap mine for anything.

I switched to a laptop a few years ago, lovely to be able to use it anywhere around the house. We have three in regular use these days plus myself and my son have an iPad each. I too use wireless mouse.
I bought my Sony Vaio from Argos about three years ago (we used to get 10% discount) but my son bought his new Lenovo from John Lewis. Better price than the dreaded PCWorld and longer warranty.
Have never missed the old tower computer.
They are simple to set up, basically turn on and link to your internet.
Be careful if buying from places like PCW as they will try to sell you programmes you don't need to pay for, Office or Word for example. They no longer come as freebies on computers. There are free versions available to download.

What sort of things do you use a computer for?
I have a MacBook Air which is lovely and light but I never really use it these days as I generally just use my iPad and phone, especially as you can do wireless printing now.
I also like dictating into my iPad to save the bother of typing if I'm doing something a bit wordy.

I volunteer for a charity that helps people to be more confident with IT. I use my laptops to train with and because Windows laptops are so common, I bought one so that I could ensure I was comfortable with it as well as my Apple machines. I have a preference for Apple and I'm using my iPad to type this. However, I believe most people think Apple expensive and the perception is they are difficult to switch to if you are used to Windows.

I would say that you can use a laptop anywhere but a desktop tends to be set aside in a separate room and you can be more social using a laptop. If you use a Windows desktop computer, then follow that with a Windows laptop, you shouldn't find it very different. I think it's a good idea to try and get used to a touchpad or even a touch screen if you go for a laptop with one - I've never used a laptop with a touch screen though, I'm not sure it's necessary. Using a mouse on your lap is a nuisance and means you need a work surface of some kind. You should try different laptops before you buy. Look for screen clarity, is the size comfortable for you? Feel the weight, type using the keys - are they clunky? Make sure you adjust your touchpad to your touch before deciding you can't live with it.

My main advice though is, when you get someone to set up any computer for you, ensure you understand exactly what they have done. If you want to use your new laptop with your desktop, you may have to either give some of your current passwords to someone else or be there to enter them yourself. Make a concise note of passwords and what they are for. All my newer machines have a set-up menu to work through, it's not as difficult as you may think. So often I find that people have machines set up for them and they don't know how to make changes and, when something goes wrong as it must, have no idea where to start, and keep entering the wrong password. I don't believe you can set up any computer without a minimum of 3 passwords. These are
- a user name and password to access your new machine or, for Windows, you will probably need a Microsoft Drive password although you may already have one for use on a Windows desktop
- a WiFi password from your router
- your existing email account password and details.
Although, if you have fingerprint recognition built in to your new laptop, perhaps you will need fewer (yet another consideration).

I hope this hasn't put you off. There is lots of help online.

PRINTMISS What do you want from your computer? If it's just for general 'stuff' why don't you just go straight to a tablet. We last used a laptop about 5 years ago, we don't need one now.

I could never get rid of my laptop - can't be doing with all that swiping on tablets etc. and use the basic keyboard (with wireless mouse).

The only problem with laptops is using them on your lap. They have trouble pulling in enough air to cool them and if you have it on your lap it get too hot and reduces the life of the machine.

That's true - I use mine on the dining-room table and would never actually use it on my lap. I know my GDs have ruined their dad's laptop by using it on and in their beds.

Thanks for all the help, I just want to move all my 'stuff' to a smaller room which is a little chilly in the winter, and thought perhaps a laptop would help, knowing that actually having it on my lap might prove a problem. I am still thinking about it, and will let you all know the outcome. Thanks again.

I don't think using a laptop on your knee is ever a good idea. My latest one is supposedly top of the range but it does not have a DVD drawer or an SD card slot.

Have a look at Chromebooks, they are really user friendly, more so than Windows laptops. They boot up in seconds, update without hassle and don't need any anti virus etc.

If, like me, you have larger hands and touch type, then I don't recommend the smaller laptops - it is so easy to accidentally press the wrong key and erase whole sections of typing! I have a large laptop which I use more or less as a tower computer, but with the advantage that I can easily move it if I need to, and a tablet which I use for everyday sorts of things. DH has 2 or 3 laptops (he keeps old ones for his amateur radio stuff). I can't see why most people would need a tower these days with the capabilities of laptops - even younger DS who works on film and video editing doesn't need to use a tower.

I have two lap tops , my old one with Windows 7 and a newer one Windows 10 which I still dislike . Use my iPad most of the time , even take it to bed.

I wouldn't be without my laptop, I know a lot of people love their tablets but to me the tablet will always be a second choice, my husband bought me one a couple of birthdays ago and I just don't like it that much, typing anything on it is laborious to say the least, I use it infrequently but my husband uses it a lot and prefers it to the lap top. I have a Lenovo lap top not as good as my Sony Vaio that gave up the ghost sadly. My preference is a lap top but of course transporting a tablet is much easier and it's good if you want to make videos.

Yes, as others have said, get a computer expert to set it up for you and if you have it on your lap for long periods of time it can make you hot, it does need to rest on a cold flat service. Mine spends it's time of an evening between my lap and the coffee table depending on how interesting the tv viewing is.

You can buy a special tray which allows air around the vents to have them on your lap if you'd feel more comfortable, I bought one for my son which has a small fan in it (plugs into the laptop for power) which he uses if he's resting it on the bed.
My OH made his own version with an old plastic tray, just drilled some holes in the appropriate places for vents.
I use mine on my lap, just rest it on one leg so the vents are clear.
I don't use my iPad for much that needs typing, don't like the little keyboard and its a bit of a faff for certain tasks.

We all have tablets/Ipads/Phones etc but we fight over the laptop. It's the keyboard, sometimes you need a real, tippy tappy keyboard. rarely use the PC though we do have one for if we want to print.