Help please - Need Advice on new laptop or chromebook OS?

Thanks Doodle, no I'm still considering what to do. I'll look into that, and thanks for your help. I've ruled out the chrome after reading this thread.

Thank you Doodledog. I will tell my son about this. It could be the answer. I do like the idea of a tablet, but as I've been typing since I was 16 I think I would miss having a keyboard.

The above was to henetha, btw. I think seacliff has got sorted now.

If you would like both a laptop and a tablet, you could go for something like a Microsoft Surface, which is a hybrid between a laptop and a tablet, or if your budget allows you could get an iPad and Magic keyboard (together they cost ££££, though, and you would then need to get MS Office if you are used to using Word/Excel).

The MS Surface ones are about £400, which is pretty much average for a Windows laptop. I can't say if they are any good or not, as I have used Apple for years, but they would give you the best of both worlds.

"Snap" Seacliff. I have exactly the same problem as you.
And ancient Toshiba which needs replacing. I can't decide between another laptop or a tablet. Ideally I'd like both.
If pushed, I think I would prefer another laptop....
My son is researching them for me today.
Good luck.

Thought I was 'reasonably' IT knowledgeable until I read this. I know nothing. Blimey (but thanks!).

Thanks everyone I hadn't been back here and seen the later replies. All very helpful, and I think now, for me a laptop is still best. I'm still looking into all your suggestions.

i took my laptop into a computer business as the charging port wouldn't connect, they wanted £36 just to open it to look....before repair or replace part...I took it home and put the £36 towards a new one.

Take it in to a local tech shop and ask them to take a look and fix your issues. Cheaper than a replacement and more environmentally friendly.

Jackiest

I am not a windows fan but compared to over priced apple and limited functionality Chrome I would go with windows laptop. Make sure it has a SSD as windows now hammers the disc for several minutes after start up.

Totally agree about the SSD disks!!

Seacliff Have you considered taking your laptop in for servicing and upgrading. I have found small local businesses to be better and often cheaper than the large high street stores. It might buy you some time while you decide what you would like to have next. Discuss with them whether any possible upgrades will make a big difference to your laptop and of course what it will cost. They may also have decent refurbished machines that could be more up to date than what you currently have at a reasonable price. They will also transfer all your data over if you want them to. Don't forget to back everything up before you hand your machine over to anyone.

From the way you use your computer I would say you'd be better off with another laptop than a Chromebook.

I use Windows 11 on my laptop and have not really noticed much difference compared with version 10.

Like you I prefer to use a mouse (can't get on with scroll pads), so I have a wireless mouse and a portable laptop Lapdesk (from Amazon) with a slide out mouse pad so I can sit on the sofa in the evenings with one eye on the TV

I am not a windows fan but compared to over priced apple and limited functionality Chrome I would go with windows laptop. Make sure it has a SSD as windows now hammers the disc for several minutes after start up.

I'm on an elderly Acer chromebook at the moment. It has started to develop the same problem as a previous one. If I move (to pick up my drink for instance) the screen goes blank and I have to close and lift the lid a couple of times before it 'connects' again.
Despite this problem, I would probably get another.

No problem. These things are very personal as we all use tech in different ways.

I use a laptop (a MacBook) for most things. I much prefer a keyboard for typing, and I do sometimes work offline. I like to store files on the computer, although I do back some up on the cloud.

I also have an iPad, which I use in bed, as an occasional TV, and when travelling (remember that? ?). I see it as nice to have, but a luxury item that isn’t necessary (as I have a laptop and a phone). It does nothing that my phone won’t do, but it’s better to have the big screen for watching TV and extended surfing. It’s a toy though.

I took over my daughter’s Chromebook when she could bear it no more, and I gave it away after a few months. I hated the total reliance on the internet (to be fair, this was a while ago, I was out and about a lot more, and broadband wasn’t as widespread as it is now), and it just seemed awkward to use. I wouldn’t have another one unless there was no alternative.

Others will disagree though, so it’s a question of working out what you do most, and what you would miss if you didn’t have it. A lot of people have iPads as their main or only device, and love them. They are fast, portable and easy to use, and if you aren’t working and don’t need to type a lot or store files they are great. Clearly, people like Chromebooks too, as can be seen on this thread, so it’s horses for courses.

i had no idea what, google with a skin, meant.
sounded quite baffling to me.
guess it's hard to imagine the depths of others' ignorance.

thanks Doodledog.
i am basically from the age of the quill pen; fountain, and moreso cartridge, varieties seem high tech to me.
i need to get a laptop i think.
use an old cast-off one, very grateful to have it, but unreliable, frequently cuts out, freezes, no battery function, so has to be kept near enough to be plugged in.
might look at that specialist company mentioned above.

welbeck

so what is an ipad; is that like a chromebook.

No.

An iPad is basically a large smartphone that doesn't make calls.

They are touchscreen, although you can add a keyboard, and tend to have a lot less storage than a laptop - they aren't really intended to have files stored on them, although it is possible to do so. They are great for surfing and watching TV/film, and ok as music players, but are basically expensive toys.

A laptop is more of a work-based item. You can store enormous quantities of files on them, and they can cope with power and data-hungry applications. You can also store files in the cloud as back up, but you can keep them on the hard disk so they are more secure. You also download your own applications to it. They vary in price.

A Chromebook is a laptop with no storage, so you can't save anything to it, and can only use it to access the Internet. If you go out of range it is useless (as my daughter found when I bought her one for university). You have to use Applications which are online, too, as you can't download your own. The advantage is that they are cheap.

Which is best for an individual really depends on what they use it for. If you don't need to keep files private, don't need apps which are not available online, and are always in wifi range (ie don't need to use your computer out of the house) then a Chromebook is fine. If you want a very portable, fast, fun device for basic surfing (eg GN, eBay, shopping) and playing games, then an iPad is great. If you use your computer for work, or even as a household management tool, then you probably need a laptop, as that will do everything the others do, and more.

so what is an ipad; is that like a chromebook.

My last three computers (2 desktops and 1 laptop) were all built by PCSPECIALIST (https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/thin-light-laptops/). I wouldn't go anywhere else now.

Even their most basic and cheapest machines are far better value than what the High Street offers. You can configure exactly what you want in your computer (screens size, drive type and size, RAM, ports, operating system, security software and more). You don't get a machine that's overloaded with 'bloatware apps' that you don't need. The configuration process is easy and they'll tell you if anything you select is incompatible or could be improved on. Build, despatch and delivery is fast and reliable, you can track the build process. If of course you opt for a 'ready to ship' machine then you'll get it even quicker. After sales service is also excellent.

Their speciality is gaming machines but don't be put off by that, they have a wide range of machines for home or office use. They're incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.

I wanted a laptop with a large screen that could cope with three powerful graphics programs at the same time, loads of storage and lots of memory. I have a 17" screen, 2x4TB SSD drives and 128GB RAM. Currys couldn't offer me anything like that. It's a year old now, used daily, sometimes all day, and it still amazes me how fast and efficient it is. The only little niggle is that the battery life is not great but as I use it plugged in most of the time it doesn't really matter.

I know I sound like an advert for them but I have recommended them to friends who have been equally impressed. PCS really is worth a look.

Interesting comments to consider thanks. I always use my laptop at home at my desk and want to still have a mouse, as on my work computer.

I have loads of docs stored, re my cat charity work and recipes etc. I don't want to have to pay monthly for extra cloud storage, but since I could save it on a stick and plug in when needed. Forgive my lack of technical correct terms.

I also will go to photo editing and create a card from a saved template. I can see I'll have to go and try. Another thing, I want a solid feeling keyboard, not flimsy, as I use it a lot.

I have an Acer Chromebook as well - love it especially the touch screen. My D-SIL recommended it - he and my DD both work in technology. I recommended to DS so he has one now - no complaints. My 12yr old DGS has a Dell Chromebook issued by his school and it looks pretty good as well. Children from P4 upwards in his school were issued with one each before the first school "lock down".

Chromebook is basically Google with a skin. It’s cloud based and won’t have all the features and functionality of a laptop. If you’re not using it for work it should be fine, and the skin makes it look very like any laptop front screen.

John Lewis currently have an offer on for HP 14 inch Chromebooks at £199. I’m not recommending them because I’ve never used one but certainly worth a look,

I bought a Lenovo Ideapad S340 for £450 and and the motherboard went after four months, can't recommend. They didn't replace, they repaired, it was away for over two weeks.

welbeck

so what is the main difference between chromebook and laptop ?

A Chromebook doesn't have any storage, so you keep everything on the cloud. This is usually ok, but means that you need to be online to access anything.

I had one years ago and utterly hated it .

so what is the main difference between chromebook and laptop ?