"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...


http://www.cclonline.com/product/155...400-/NOT00530/





http://www.ebuyer.com/662400-toshiba...ssg0e-008001en


Probably a daft question, but do all modern laptops have WiFi built in?

Haven't notice one that hasnt for a long time now.

On 27/04/15 07:38, The Medway Handyman wrote:


http://www.cclonline.com/product/155...400-/NOT00530/






http://www.ebuyer.com/662400-toshiba...ssg0e-008001en



Probably a daft question, but do all modern laptops have WiFi built in?




Most do.

On 27/04/15 07:38, The Medway Handyman wrote:


http://www.cclonline.com/product/155...400-/NOT00530/






http://www.ebuyer.com/662400-toshiba...ssg0e-008001en



Probably a daft question, but do all modern laptops have WiFi built in?


I can't see them selling one that doesn't.





--
Everything you read in newspapers is absolutely true, except for the
rare story of which you happen to have first-hand knowledge. €“ Erwin Knoll

On 27/04/2015 09:27, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 27/04/15 07:38, The Medway Handyman wrote:


http://www.cclonline.com/product/155...400-/NOT00530/







http://www.ebuyer.com/662400-toshiba...ssg0e-008001en




Probably a daft question, but do all modern laptops have WiFi built in?


I can't see them selling one that doesn't.




It's simple to add a cheap dongle if they didn't have Wi-Fi.

On 27/04/15 09:50, Ronnie wrote:
On 27/04/2015 09:27, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 27/04/15 07:38, The Medway Handyman wrote:


http://www.cclonline.com/product/155...400-/NOT00530/








http://www.ebuyer.com/662400-toshiba...ssg0e-008001en





Probably a daft question, but do all modern laptops have WiFi built in?


I can't see them selling one that doesn't.




It's simple to add a cheap dongle if they didn't have Wi-Fi.

yes, but it costs more.

These days a wifi chipset is pence only, - its like GPS on mobile
devices. Why not simply add it?


--
Everything you read in newspapers is absolutely true, except for the
rare story of which you happen to have first-hand knowledge. €“ Erwin Knoll

In message , The Medway Handyman
writes
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.

What a lot of answers so far! :-)

Dave, the only real answer is suck it and see. Keep the desktop,
though.

My experience. Tablets are fine for browsing etc., but I really don't
like the onscreen keyboard.

Laptops are heavier than you may think. Wifey has a Tosh which she
loves, but keeps a table to support the laptop as it is too heavy for
her lap, for extended periods.

I use a Toshiba netbook (NB200), and I love it. Smaller than a proper
laptop, but I can happily keep it balanced on my knee for hours. My
only concession to practicality is a plug in USB laser mouse, because I
don't like touchpads. I use the mouse on the arm of the chair. Being
fairly small, I can, and do, pick it up and take anywhere, even the
shed. Battery is old, but still good for several hours. Can carry it
easily (with mouse plugged in) with one hand. Wifey uses both hands to
carry her laptop.

Years ago, I had a Dell laptop too, with docking station at home and
office, and that really was plug and go. Slide it in, and all
connections were made - network, power, keyboard, monitor, mouse etc.
Fairly heavy to lug around, though.

I still have my desktop, and, at first, used that in tandem with the
netbook, but now rarely bother booting the desktop. The netbook is
slower, yes, but convenience wins. I have a mini USB 64GB stick
permanently plugged in, next to the mouse, and use that for nightly data
backups.
--
Graeme

On Mon, 27 Apr 2015 10:30:32 +0100
News wrote:

I use a Toshiba netbook (NB200), and I love it. Smaller than a
proper laptop, but I can happily keep it balanced on my knee for
hours. My only concession to practicality is a plug in USB laser
mouse, because I don't like touchpads. I use the mouse on the arm of
the chair. Being fairly small, I can, and do, pick it up and take
anywhere, even the shed. Battery is old, but still good for several
hours. Can carry it easily (with mouse plugged in) with one hand.
Wifey uses both hands to carry her laptop.


I agree about touchpads. Useful when on site, but I always use a mouse
when at a desk.

Years ago, I had a Dell laptop too, with docking station at home and
office, and that really was plug and go. Slide it in, and all
connections were made - network, power, keyboard, monitor, mouse etc.
Fairly heavy to lug around, though.


I once had a company Dell, that died while I was working just
outside Buenos Aires. Although the service agreement was only for US
coverage, I met a local service tech. at my hotel, and he replaced the
motherboard right there in the lobby bar. Now that was impressive. It
was also some years ago, so might have changed.

I still have my desktop, and, at first, used that in tandem with the
netbook, but now rarely bother booting the desktop. The netbook is
slower, yes, but convenience wins. I have a mini USB 64GB stick
permanently plugged in, next to the mouse, and use that for nightly
data backups.

Since my laptop is usually on my desk, I have a Passport permanently
connected, for the same reason, and I also back up changed documents to
my CCTV desktop on my network.

--
Davey.

In article ,
The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.


Have you actually thought this through?

I have a decent laptop and a desktop. The laptop is (obviously) useful
where I need a portable device, but I far prefer the desktop for general
use.

Reasons? Bigger and better screen, full sized keyboard and proper mouse.
Of course you could add all those to a laptop - but then it is no longer
portable. Other thing is a desktop is easy to repair/extend etc, a laptop
usually not.

--
*Great groups from little icons grow *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Davey wrote:
On Sun, 26 Apr 2015 14:20:44 +0100
Bill wrote:

In passing, I ought to say that I hate numeric keypads on laptops. On
all the ones I've tried, the touchpad always seems to be in the wrong
place in relation to the keyboard/screen etc.

Are you saying that the touchpad interferes with the keypad? I have had
no such problems with this Samsung, but I have had touchpad problems
with other laptops I have used.
Or do you mean something different?

I'd guess he means that the touchpad is aligned with the spacebar. But the
spacebar and the QWERTY bit isn't centred on the laptop because of the
keypad, so both QWERTY and touchpad are off-centre on the left, like this:
http://www.whitegadget.com/attachmen...led-keypad.jpg

which means that you end up looking at the screen off-centredly as well. It
shifts the whole view of the laptop from 'centred' to
'have-to-turn-to-look-at-the-right'.

Given that most laptops can emulate a keypad with FN+jkl or similar, unless
you're a serious spreadsheet fiend I'd say the keypad isn't worth messing up
the ergonomics for.

Theo

On 27 Apr 2015 11:59:05 +0100 (BST)
Theo Markettos wrote:

Davey wrote:
On Sun, 26 Apr 2015 14:20:44 +0100
Bill wrote:

In passing, I ought to say that I hate numeric keypads on
laptops. On all the ones I've tried, the touchpad always seems to
be in the wrong place in relation to the keyboard/screen etc.

Are you saying that the touchpad interferes with the keypad? I have
had no such problems with this Samsung, but I have had touchpad
problems with other laptops I have used.
Or do you mean something different?

I'd guess he means that the touchpad is aligned with the spacebar.
But the spacebar and the QWERTY bit isn't centred on the laptop
because of the keypad, so both QWERTY and touchpad are off-centre on
the left, like this:
http://www.whitegadget.com/attachmen...led-keypad.jpg

which means that you end up looking at the screen off-centredly as
well. It shifts the whole view of the laptop from 'centred' to
'have-to-turn-to-look-at-the-right'.

Given that most laptops can emulate a keypad with FN+jkl or similar,
unless you're a serious spreadsheet fiend I'd say the keypad isn't
worth messing up the ergonomics for.

Theo

Hmmm. My Samsung has the touchpad much more centred than that, not that
it would worry me anyway, since I rarely use it. And the off-centre
effect of the spacebar doesn't worry me either, I don't always have my
document in the middle of the screen, and I have a decent length thumb.
In fact, I have two.
Since it all fits nicely with the 15.6" screen, I'm happy.

--
Davey.

On 26/04/2015 13:19, The Medway Handyman wrote:
On 26/04/2015 12:50, charles wrote:
In article ,
The Medway Handyman wrote:
On 26/04/2015 12:33, Davey wrote:
On Sun, 26 Apr 2015 12:22:26 +0100

screen card. Unlike many laptops, it has a full number keypad built in,
making spreadsheet use easy.

Ah! I hadn't thought of that. Good point.

usually you get a full keyboard with a larger screen. have a look at
what
is available at: www.ebuyer.com


Thanks. Bit confused now. These three for example. Whats the
difference between AMD Dual Core, Intel Core i3-4005U 1.7GHz and AMD
A8-7100 Quad Core?

I know they are the processors but what does that mean?

A rough and ready way to compare them is the CPU benchmark score - it is
artificial and can be gamed a bit by chip makers but it allows you some
idea of bang per buck (albeit with US prices).

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/laptop.html

Checking this page will avoid buying an overpriced lemon.


AMD Dual Core E1-6010 1.35GHz
4GB RAM + 320GB HDD

BM = 856


Intel Core i3-4005U 1.7GHz
8GB RAM + 1TB HDD

BM = 2462

AMD A8-7100 Quad Core
4GB RAM + 500GB HDD

BM = 2966

Also, I assume the one with 8GB is better and that 1TB is better than
320GB?

Generally more ram and more HD is good. 4 real cores is good too, but
you will only get optimum performance with programmes that are designed
to use all four cores efficiently (and not many are). If you do HD video
editing then it matters that you get decent fast CPU and memory but for
basic word and spreadsheets almost anything will do.

-
Regards,
Martin Brown

News wrote:
In message , The Medway Handyman
writes
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.

What a lot of answers so far! :-)

Slightly OT, but has anyone managed to put Linux onto a chromebook?

On 27/04/15 12:16, Martin Brown wrote:
If you do HD video editing then it matters that you get decent fast CPU
and memory but for basic word and spreadsheets almost anything will do.

good video - especially flash - is a CPU chewer, too.


--
Everything you read in newspapers is absolutely true, except for the
rare story of which you happen to have first-hand knowledge. €“ Erwin Knoll

In message , Davey
writes
My Samsung has the touchpad much more centred than that, not that it
would worry me anyway, since I rarely use it. And the off-centre effect
of the spacebar doesn't worry me either, I don't always have my
document in the middle of the screen, and I have a decent length thumb.
In fact, I have two. Since it all fits nicely with the 15.6" screen,
I'm happy.

Theo above got exactly what I meant. I have used several laptops with
keypads and every one felt a bit different from the rest because of the
touchpad positioning, and most annoyed me. Touchpads can be quite
complicated and may need a bit of setting up

I do use the touchpad (and/or the trackpoint now that I'm mainly on
Lenovo/IBM's) because I want to just have one thing to throw into the
car, not external things with cables as well
--
Bill

On 27/04/2015 13:28, Bill wrote:
In message , Davey
writes
My Samsung has the touchpad much more centred than that, not that it
would worry me anyway, since I rarely use it. And the off-centre
effect of the spacebar doesn't worry me either, I don't always have my
document in the middle of the screen, and I have a decent length
thumb. In fact, I have two. Since it all fits nicely with the 15.6"
screen, I'm happy.

Theo above got exactly what I meant. I have used several laptops with
keypads and every one felt a bit different from the rest because of the
touchpad positioning, and most annoyed me. Touchpads can be quite
complicated and may need a bit of setting up

I do use the touchpad (and/or the trackpoint now that I'm mainly on
Lenovo/IBM's) because I want to just have one thing to throw into the
car, not external things with cables as well

Surely you could easily take a small wireless mouse with you that fits
in a pocket ?
I very rarely use the trackpad on my laptop.

On Monday, 27 April 2015 11:59:09 UTC+1, Theo Markettos wrote:
Davey wrote:
On Sun, 26 Apr 2015 14:20:44 +0100
Bill wrote:

In passing, I ought to say that I hate numeric keypads on laptops. On
all the ones I've tried, the touchpad always seems to be in the wrong
place in relation to the keyboard/screen etc.

Are you saying that the touchpad interferes with the keypad? I have had
no such problems with this Samsung, but I have had touchpad problems
with other laptops I have used.
Or do you mean something different?

I'd guess he means that the touchpad is aligned with the spacebar. But the
spacebar and the QWERTY bit isn't centred on the laptop because of the
keypad, so both QWERTY and touchpad are off-centre on the left, like this:
http://www.whitegadget.com/attachmen...led-keypad.jpg

which means that you end up looking at the screen off-centredly as well. It
shifts the whole view of the laptop from 'centred' to
'have-to-turn-to-look-at-the-right'.

Given that most laptops can emulate a keypad with FN+jkl or similar, unless
you're a serious spreadsheet fiend I'd say the keypad isn't worth messing up
the ergonomics for.

Theo

You could still use your desktop keyboard and monitor on almost any laptop
you buy.

Reluctant to change from MS Windows simply because I know how to use it.

Any advice on processor type, memory, make, supplier much appreciated.

Sorry, should have said, budget around the £500 mark.



I've always used 'refurbished' ex corporate laptops as you get solid
machines for not much money. My current one is a HP Elitebook 8440p which
cost me well under £200 complete with a legal copy of Windows 7 and a 12
month guarantee. Perfectly adequate for my needs. I use it mainly as a
portal to my desktop machine which is in my office on the other side of the
farmyard, so can use it without going outside. Mind you it has a higher spec
than the desktop !!!

Andrew


Yep quite agree. I needed a laptop for carting around with me didn't
want to risk a new one got one from here looked almost new, a year or so
out of date but with WIN 7 and 64 bit and that for a hundred sheets

Well happy...


http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/c/4...tops-Netbooks/
--
Tony Sayer

On 27/04/2015 07:38, The Medway Handyman wrote:


http://www.cclonline.com/product/155...400-/NOT00530/






http://www.ebuyer.com/662400-toshiba...ssg0e-008001en



Probably a daft question, but do all modern laptops have WiFi built in?

Yes is the short answer (I am sure a pendent somewhere might be able to
find something specialist that does not)


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 26/04/2015 16:01, dennis@home wrote:

typing on android tablets is a pain.

Plug a keyboard into its USB then...

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 27/04/15 14:25, John Rumm wrote:
On 26/04/2015 16:01, dennis@home wrote:

typing on android tablets is a pain.

Plug a keyboard into its USB then...


Or use a bluetooth keyboard - the Logitech K480 seemed rather good when
I tried it in PC world the other week.

http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/produc...-keyboard-k480

On 27/04/2015 11:28, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.


Have you actually thought this through?

I have a decent laptop and a desktop. The laptop is (obviously) useful
where I need a portable device, but I far prefer the desktop for general
use.

Reasons? Bigger and better screen, full sized keyboard and proper mouse.
Of course you could add all those to a laptop - but then it is no longer
portable. Other thing is a desktop is easy to repair/extend etc, a laptop
usually not.

I converted to laptops for work a few years ago (maybe 7 or 8? I'm on
the second one now).

The keyboard, mouse and monitor are all there at my desk, and if I want
to work or use the computer somewhere else (which I do about half the
time) I unplug and just use the laptop. This works well.

Extending things is no longer something I need to worry about - I have
upgraded the memory on the laptop, but that's easy, and it came with all
the ports I need. Repair - so far one keyboard (not liquid damage!),
which was fairly easy.

For me, desktops no longer have any point.

In message , News
writes
Laptops are heavier than you may think. Wifey has a Tosh which she
loves, but keeps a table to support the laptop as it is too heavy for
her lap, for extended periods.

I use a Toshiba netbook (NB200), and I love it. Smaller than a proper
laptop, but I can happily keep it balanced on my knee for hours. My
only concession to practicality is a plug in USB laser mouse, because I
don't like touchpads. I use the mouse on the arm of the chair. Being
fairly small, I can, and do, pick it up and take anywhere, even the
shed. Battery is old, but still good for several hours. Can carry it
easily (with mouse plugged in) with one hand. Wifey uses both hands to
carry her laptop.

I have a Toshiba NB100 and hate it. It's OK in the Disco hooked up to
the webcam that looks at the tow hitch to ease coupling up, and it is
small and light, but the keyboard and touchpad are hopeless for my
fingers.
I still keep it simply because these Ubuntu ones go for pennies, if at
all, on ebay. Oh, and a mouse is hopeless in the driving seat of a car.
The only surface is a leg.
There's no comparison with my Acer Aspire 2920 (heavier but has a built
in DVD) or Lenovo X201 (almost as light). Both these are full laptops
with good screens, pads and keyboards.

I do realise that this is nothing like what Dave actually thought he
wanted.
--
Bill

In article , The Medway Handyman
writes
On 26/04/2015 12:22, The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.

I'm looking for something around 16". I don't play games (only
solitaire) I don't watch films or download music. Don't want a
touchscreen, much prefer keyboard/mouse.

I use Word & Excel frequently, sometime quite big documents. I surf the
net often & use e-mail a lot. We have 4G WiFi at home, probably won't
ever take it out, but will use upstairs in the office, on the deck &
downstairs in the lounge.

Reluctant to change from MS Windows simply because I know how to use it.

Any advice on processor type, memory, make, supplier much appreciated.

Sorry, should have said, budget around the £500 mark.


For that price you would be looking around the Intel i5 processor range,
8gb ram and anything up to 1Tb hard drive. Most now have wifi (ac) and
bluetooth. MSOffice Student and Home will cost you about £100
--
bert

On Mon, 27 Apr 2015 14:24:08 +0100
John Rumm wrote:

On 27/04/2015 07:38, The Medway Handyman wrote:


http://www.cclonline.com/product/155...400-/NOT00530/






http://www.ebuyer.com/662400-toshiba...ssg0e-008001en



Probably a daft question, but do all modern laptops have WiFi built
in?

Yes is the short answer (I am sure a pendent somewhere might be able
to find something specialist that does not)



Pendent? Pedant, maybe. Close.

--
Davey.

On 27/04/2015 14:30, Tim Watts wrote:
On 27/04/15 14:25, John Rumm wrote:
On 26/04/2015 16:01, dennis@home wrote:

typing on android tablets is a pain.

Plug a keyboard into its USB then...


Or use a bluetooth keyboard - the Logitech K480 seemed rather good when
I tried it in PC world the other week.

http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/produc...-keyboard-k480


Hmm cute - I like the built in device switch ;-)

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 26/04/2015 16:04, dennis@home wrote:
Martin Brown Wrote in message:
On 26/04/2015 12:22, The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.

I'm looking for something around 16". I don't play games (only
solitaire) I don't watch films or download music. Don't want a
touchscreen, much prefer keyboard/mouse.

I use Word & Excel frequently, sometime quite big documents. I surf the
net often & use e-mail a lot. We have 4G WiFi at home, probably won't
ever take it out, but will use upstairs in the office, on the deck &
downstairs in the lounge.

Reluctant to change from MS Windows simply because I know how to use it.

You have left it a bit late to get a new portable with Windows 7 on it
and I reckon you should look long and very hard at Windows 8 before
contemplating using it without a touch screen (or using it at all).

Just load classic start and forget that its windows 8.

Agreed

It's just better than 7 once you know how to use it.

Not so sure TBH... there are some bits of "touchiness" that you can't
make go away completely that make it a bit of a pain on the desktop
still. (the main irritation I find is the "networks" panel that drifts
in from the side of the screen for connecting to a VPN etc).

So far 10 looks even better.

I would hope so!

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 27/04/2015 11:28, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.


Have you actually thought this through?

I have a decent laptop and a desktop. The laptop is (obviously) useful
where I need a portable device, but I far prefer the desktop for general
use.

Reasons? Bigger and better screen, full sized keyboard and proper mouse.
Of course you could add all those to a laptop - but then it is no longer
portable. Other thing is a desktop is easy to repair/extend etc, a laptop
usually not.

Yup, my reasons for much preferring a desktop (plus the fact I run a
pair of big screens, and also like playing games from time to time).

One option that works for some is a "small form factor" desktop. Setup
with wireless mouse and KB, they take up not much more space than a
laptop, but without some of the down sides. You can even get ones dinky
enough to mount on the back of a monitor.



--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 27/04/15 20:43, John Rumm wrote:
On 27/04/2015 14:30, Tim Watts wrote:
On 27/04/15 14:25, John Rumm wrote:
On 26/04/2015 16:01, dennis@home wrote:

typing on android tablets is a pain.

Plug a keyboard into its USB then...


Or use a bluetooth keyboard - the Logitech K480 seemed rather good when
I tried it in PC world the other week.

http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/produc...-keyboard-k480


Hmm cute - I like the built in device switch ;-)


Yes - it seems to be a practical solution to the BT "can only talk to
one thing ever at once" problem... Which by all accounts makes a
complete mess of BT coupled HIFI.

On 27/04/2015 20:50, John Rumm wrote:

8

It's just better than 7 once you know how to use it.

Not so sure TBH... there are some bits of "touchiness" that you can't
make go away completely that make it a bit of a pain on the desktop
still. (the main irritation I find is the "networks" panel that drifts
in from the side of the screen for connecting to a VPN etc).

Maybe, but do you really use it often enough to care?

Anyway laptops back with new battery. 8-)

On 27/04/2015 20:56, John Rumm wrote:
8


One option that works for some is a "small form factor" desktop. Setup
with wireless mouse and KB, they take up not much more space than a
laptop, but without some of the down sides. You can even get ones dinky
enough to mount on the back of a monitor.

You can pickup a win8.1 tablet for about £85 to make a TV into a smart
one with twin screens if you want. Quad core celeron with 2g RAM is
going to be quicker than the processors they put in TVs. All you need is
a dvi to mini/micro dvi cable.

"Clive George" wrote in message
o.uk...
On 27/04/2015 11:28, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.


Have you actually thought this through?

I have a decent laptop and a desktop. The laptop is (obviously) useful
where I need a portable device, but I far prefer the desktop for general
use.

Reasons? Bigger and better screen, full sized keyboard and proper mouse.
Of course you could add all those to a laptop - but then it is no longer
portable. Other thing is a desktop is easy to repair/extend etc, a laptop
usually not.

I converted to laptops for work a few years ago (maybe 7 or 8? I'm on the
second one now).

The keyboard, mouse and monitor are all there at my desk, and if I want to
work or use the computer somewhere else (which I do about half the time) I
unplug and just use the laptop. This works well.

Extending things is no longer something I need to worry about - I have
upgraded the memory on the laptop, but that's easy, and it came with all
the ports I need. Repair - so far one keyboard (not liquid damage!), which
was fairly easy.

For me, desktops no longer have any point.

"Clive George" wrote in message
o.uk...
On 27/04/2015 11:28, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.


Have you actually thought this through?

I have a decent laptop and a desktop. The laptop is (obviously) useful
where I need a portable device, but I far prefer the desktop for general
use.

Reasons? Bigger and better screen, full sized keyboard and proper mouse.
Of course you could add all those to a laptop - but then it is no longer
portable. Other thing is a desktop is easy to repair/extend etc, a laptop
usually not.

I converted to laptops for work a few years ago (maybe 7 or 8? I'm on the
second one now).

The keyboard, mouse and monitor are all there at my desk, and if I want to
work or use the computer somewhere else (which I do about half the time) I
unplug and just use the laptop. This works well.

Extending things is no longer something I need to worry about - I have
upgraded the memory on the laptop, but that's easy, and it came with all
the ports I need. Repair - so far one keyboard (not liquid damage!), which
was fairly easy.

For me, desktops no longer have any point.

I like my 22" screen and 5.1 speakers.
The laptop is in a case under my desk. I think ...

On 28/04/2015 18:53, Mr Pounder Esquire wrote:
"Clive George" wrote in message
o.uk...
On 27/04/2015 11:28, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.


Have you actually thought this through?

I have a decent laptop and a desktop. The laptop is (obviously) useful
where I need a portable device, but I far prefer the desktop for general
use.

Reasons? Bigger and better screen, full sized keyboard and proper mouse.
Of course you could add all those to a laptop - but then it is no longer
portable. Other thing is a desktop is easy to repair/extend etc, a laptop
usually not.

I converted to laptops for work a few years ago (maybe 7 or 8? I'm on the
second one now).

The keyboard, mouse and monitor are all there at my desk, and if I want to
work or use the computer somewhere else (which I do about half the time) I
unplug and just use the laptop. This works well.

Extending things is no longer something I need to worry about - I have
upgraded the memory on the laptop, but that's easy, and it came with all
the ports I need. Repair - so far one keyboard (not liquid damage!), which
was fairly easy.

For me, desktops no longer have any point.

I like my 22" screen and 5.1 speakers.
The laptop is in a case under my desk. I think ...

Only 22"? The laptop is plugged into a decent monitor when I'm at a desk.

On 26/04/2015 12:22, The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.

I'm looking for something around 16". I don't play games (only
solitaire) I don't watch films or download music. Don't want a
touchscreen, much prefer keyboard/mouse.

I use Word & Excel frequently, sometime quite big documents. I surf the
net often & use e-mail a lot. We have 4G WiFi at home, probably won't
ever take it out, but will use upstairs in the office, on the deck &
downstairs in the lounge.

Reluctant to change from MS Windows simply because I know how to use it.

Any advice on processor type, memory, make, supplier much appreciated.


Not sure if it has already been mentioned, but also worth considering is
what version of operating system (i.e. Windows) the laptop comes with.
Buying it separately or upgrading later is very expensive.

I personally wouldn't touch Windows 8 (or 8.1 - the current offering
with pretty much all Windows-based laptops). Windows 10 that is
supposed to be much better is due sometime in the summer. I am planning
to buy a laptop as well, and am holding back until then.

On 28/04/2015 13:04, Dennis@home wrote:
On 27/04/2015 20:50, John Rumm wrote:

8

It's just better than 7 once you know how to use it.

Not so sure TBH... there are some bits of "touchiness" that you can't
make go away completely that make it a bit of a pain on the desktop
still. (the main irritation I find is the "networks" panel that drifts
in from the side of the screen for connecting to a VPN etc).

Maybe, but do you really use it often enough to care?

Yes many times a day - its where all your VPN connections reside...

The two main irritations is that having created a new connection, you
can't cut and paste credentials into the connection, and when you click
outside of the blue panel it consumes the click and closes the panel.

Anyway laptops back with new battery. 8-)

Jolly good

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 29/04/2015 10:55, JoeJoe wrote:
On 26/04/2015 12:22, The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.

I'm looking for something around 16". I don't play games (only
solitaire) I don't watch films or download music. Don't want a
touchscreen, much prefer keyboard/mouse.

I use Word & Excel frequently, sometime quite big documents. I surf the
net often & use e-mail a lot. We have 4G WiFi at home, probably won't
ever take it out, but will use upstairs in the office, on the deck &
downstairs in the lounge.

Reluctant to change from MS Windows simply because I know how to use it.

Any advice on processor type, memory, make, supplier much appreciated.


Not sure if it has already been mentioned, but also worth considering is
what version of operating system (i.e. Windows) the laptop comes with.
Buying it separately or upgrading later is very expensive.

I personally wouldn't touch Windows 8 (or 8.1 - the current offering
with pretty much all Windows-based laptops). Windows 10 that is
supposed to be much better is due sometime in the summer. I am planning
to buy a laptop as well, and am holding back until then.



There isn't any point in missing a bargain if you see one, win 8.1 works
fine and the upgrade to win 10 is free later this year.

On Wed, 29 Apr 2015 15:44:29 +0100
"Dennis@home" wrote:

On 29/04/2015 10:55, JoeJoe wrote:
On 26/04/2015 12:22, The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after
some advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer
numpty.

I'm looking for something around 16". I don't play games (only
solitaire) I don't watch films or download music. Don't want a
touchscreen, much prefer keyboard/mouse.

I use Word & Excel frequently, sometime quite big documents. I
surf the net often & use e-mail a lot. We have 4G WiFi at home,
probably won't ever take it out, but will use upstairs in the
office, on the deck & downstairs in the lounge.

Reluctant to change from MS Windows simply because I know how to
use it.

Any advice on processor type, memory, make, supplier much
appreciated.


Not sure if it has already been mentioned, but also worth
considering is what version of operating system (i.e. Windows) the
laptop comes with. Buying it separately or upgrading later is very
expensive.

I personally wouldn't touch Windows 8 (or 8.1 - the current offering
with pretty much all Windows-based laptops). Windows 10 that is
supposed to be much better is due sometime in the summer. I am
planning to buy a laptop as well, and am holding back until then.



There isn't any point in missing a bargain if you see one, win 8.1
works fine and the upgrade to win 10 is free later this year.

If it's worth buying anyway, you can always buy it and then put Linux
on it as well as keeping the Windows OS.
Than you can slowly ignore the Windows.....

--
Davey.

On Wednesday, 29 April 2015 16:18:59 UTC+1, Davey wrote:
On Wed, 29 Apr 2015 15:44:29 +0100
"Dennis@home" wrote:

On 29/04/2015 10:55, JoeJoe wrote:
On 26/04/2015 12:22, The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after
some advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer
numpty.

I'm looking for something around 16". I don't play games (only
solitaire) I don't watch films or download music. Don't want a
touchscreen, much prefer keyboard/mouse.

I use Word & Excel frequently, sometime quite big documents. I
surf the net often & use e-mail a lot. We have 4G WiFi at home,
probably won't ever take it out, but will use upstairs in the
office, on the deck & downstairs in the lounge.

Reluctant to change from MS Windows simply because I know how to
use it.

Any advice on processor type, memory, make, supplier much
appreciated.


Not sure if it has already been mentioned, but also worth
considering is what version of operating system (i.e. Windows) the
laptop comes with. Buying it separately or upgrading later is very
expensive.

I personally wouldn't touch Windows 8 (or 8.1 - the current offering
with pretty much all Windows-based laptops). Windows 10 that is
supposed to be much better is due sometime in the summer. I am
planning to buy a laptop as well, and am holding back until then.



There isn't any point in missing a bargain if you see one, win 8.1
works fine and the upgrade to win 10 is free later this year.

If it's worth buying anyway, you can always buy it and then put Linux
on it as well as keeping the Windows OS.
Than you can slowly ignore the Windows.....

buying a Mac you could aviod both windows and linux :-)

"Clive George" wrote in message
o.uk...
On 28/04/2015 18:53, Mr Pounder Esquire wrote:
"Clive George" wrote in message
o.uk...
On 27/04/2015 11:28, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.


Have you actually thought this through?

I have a decent laptop and a desktop. The laptop is (obviously) useful
where I need a portable device, but I far prefer the desktop for
general
use.

Reasons? Bigger and better screen, full sized keyboard and proper
mouse.
Of course you could add all those to a laptop - but then it is no
longer
portable. Other thing is a desktop is easy to repair/extend etc, a
laptop
usually not.

I converted to laptops for work a few years ago (maybe 7 or 8? I'm on
the
second one now).

The keyboard, mouse and monitor are all there at my desk, and if I want
to
work or use the computer somewhere else (which I do about half the time)
I
unplug and just use the laptop. This works well.

Extending things is no longer something I need to worry about - I have
upgraded the memory on the laptop, but that's easy, and it came with all
the ports I need. Repair - so far one keyboard (not liquid damage!),
which
was fairly easy.

For me, desktops no longer have any point.

I like my 22" screen and 5.1 speakers.
The laptop is in a case under my desk. I think ...

Only 22"? The laptop is plugged into a decent monitor when I'm at a desk.

It is very nearly 8 years old as is the desktop.
I have never liked laptops too much.

On 26/04/2015 12:22, The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.

I'm looking for something around 16". I don't play games (only
solitaire) I don't watch films or download music. Don't want a
touchscreen, much prefer keyboard/mouse.

I use Word & Excel frequently, sometime quite big documents. I surf the
net often & use e-mail a lot. We have 4G WiFi at home, probably won't
ever take it out, but will use upstairs in the office, on the deck &
downstairs in the lounge.

Reluctant to change from MS Windows simply because I know how to use it.

Any advice on processor type, memory, make, supplier much appreciated.


Another probably daft question.

What do the panel think of Chromebooks?

One of my customers is a big fan. I saw one in PC World today & it will
work with Word & Excel & was very light. We have Virgin 4G broadband
at home.



--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk