[Sennen]

Evening chaps I need a new laptop as mine has just given up the ghost.

As many of you may have guessed I am an absolute technophobe so I just want something very basic to replace my old HP.

It is used for my accounts and internet access and nothing else. I really am an old dinosaur so please only basic stuff.

I need it sooner rather than later so if Currys stock it all the better.

Thanks chaps.

[un1eash]

What's the budget, main things to look for are solid state hard drive, stick to a i3/i5 processor and full HD screen.

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by un1eash

What's the budget, main things to look for are solid state hard drive, stick to a i3/i5 processor and full HD screen.

Sorry un1leash the technical stuff is lost on me, not too worried about HD and it really is only used for basic stuff, not sure what these things cost but maybe 300 to 700 if that is realistic.

[TodmordenLad]

I bought a Huawei MateBook for my youngest son recently for £500, as a replacement for an Asus Zenbook he'd had pinched.
We've usually had Dell in our household for more years than I can remember. Can't tell you how impressed I am with the MateBook, however. Spec is AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 256Gb SSD storage, 8Gb RAM, and 15.6" IPS HD screen. It's very slim and light for the size, and quiet too, with an all aluminium chassis. Well built, high quality machine with more than enough performance for the basic functions you're after.

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

I bought a Huawei MateBook for my youngest son recently for £500, as a replacement for an Asus Zenbook he'd had pinched.
We've usually had Dell in our household for more years than I can remember. Can't tell you how impressed I am with the MateBook, however. Spec is AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 256Gb SSD storage, 8Gb RAM, and 15.6" IPS HD screen. It's very slim and light for the size, and quiet too, with an all aluminium chassis. Well built, high quality machine with more than enough performance for the basic functions you're after.

Thanks Todmordenlad but I am a bit wary of Huaweii, probably totally ridiculous I know.

Do Laptops come with Spreadsheets already loaded or do I need to buy that on top. Sorry about my total idiocy on the subject but computers and I just don't mix.

[Rbrown]

I'm not great technically. I made the mistake of buying a cheap HP laptop. "Buy cheap, buy twice" was very true.

Got a 2020 Apple MacBook Air. Got to say, it's fantastic. Probably overpriced for what it is - £999 delivered by John Lewis, 2 year guarantee included.

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

I'm not great technically. I made the mistake of buying a cheap HP laptop. "Buy cheap, buy twice" was very true.

Got a 2020 Apple MacBook Air. Got to say, it's fantastic. Probably overpriced for what it is - £999 delivered by John Lewis, 2 year guarantee included.

Does it come with Spreadsheets? I think I would rather something a bit more like I am used to, does the apple not work differently to the others? If so it won't be any good for me as it took ages to get used to the last ones!!

[JustChris]

I'd say just a simple chrome book? Sounds like browning only wtc

[davyk31]

No won’t come with spreadsheets. You need to buy a version of Microsoft Office to get Excel for spreadsheets and Word for letters etc. Office 365 is the current best way to go by a small monthly subscription

[isleaiw1]

No expert either but would say you want Microsoft Office loaded to get excel. I have no idea what makes a good laptop either but firstly do you like touch screen or keys, or option to both? some will have a detachable touchscreen if that is your thing?

I'd say a decent brand, currently on a works HP, son and daughter both had Asus at one time. I wouldnt go Apple if you are used to Microsoft software and windows and just want cheap. Why not google something in your budget, throw the spec up and see the response from the techies!

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

No expert either but would say you want Microsoft Office loaded to get excel. I have no idea what makes a good laptop either but firstly do you like touch screen or keys, or option to both? some will have a detachable touchscreen if that is your thing?

I'd say a decent brand, currently on a works HP, son and daughter both had Asus at one time. I wouldnt go Apple if you are used to Microsoft software and windows and just want cheap. Why not google something in your budget, throw the spec up and see the response from the techies!

That is a good idea. I just need a laptop that opens up and I can type on a keyboard that has spreadsheet access on it. I really don't need anything powerful or flash.

[bishbosh]

There are some good alternatives to office, especially if you don't want to stump up paying monthly.

Libreoffice has a program called Calc which will open excel spreadsheets and it doesn't cost a penny!

I've just bought a mid-range gaming laptop, as even though I don't play games really anymore the hardware is that much faster (the screen is sublime!) and is on a par with my desktop PC. I did have an old laptop but it was a dinosaur and needed replacing. As someone said, buy cheap buy twice.

[R0B]

Once you go Mac you never go back...

[Sennen]

These ones jump out at me
HP Pavillion 14
DELL inspiron 15
ACER Zenbook 14
ACER Aspire 7

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by JustChris

I'd say just a simple chrome book? Sounds like browning only wtc

What exactly is a Chromebook Chris?

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by davyk31

No won’t come with spreadsheets. You need to buy a version of Microsoft Office to get Excel for spreadsheets and Word for letters etc. Office 365 is the current best way to go by a small monthly subscription

Crikey it gets more and more complicated. All I do on it is my yearly basic accounts which I then print off and bung at my accountant. I might be better just handwriting them out I think!!!

[Slacky]

I purchased an honor magicbook (huawei) a couple of weeks ago and must say it seems good bit of kit. decent specs and aluminium casing plus got the added bonus of a free honor smart watch

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Sennen

What exactly is a Chromebook Chris?

https://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/ch...8;gclsrc=aw.ds

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by R0B

Once you go Mac you never go back...

I must be the exception that proves the rule then....

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by Sennen

Thanks Todmordenlad but I am a bit wary of Huaweii, probably totally ridiculous I know.

Do Laptops come with Spreadsheets already loaded or do I need to buy that on top. Sorry about my total idiocy on the subject but computers and I just don't mix.

Don't worry about Huawei laptops. They're fine. As are their phones. Very different issue to the 5G infrastructure debate.
As for software, to answer your question, yes and no.
Two main products for spreadsheet work
You can use Microsoft (Office incl Excel) as a chargeable online only subscription service or buy it and install it locally on the machine.
You can use Google (Sheets) as a (free) online service

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

.
As for software, to answer your question, yes and no.
Two main products for spreadsheet work
You can use Microsoft (Office incl Excel) as a chargeable online only subscription service or buy it and install it locally on the machine.
You can use Google (Sheets) as a (free) online service

As someone who works for a company that uses google (mail and associated software) dont go there, none of it (except perhaps drive and sharing) is as good - the lawyers hated word equiv and inability to do what they needed, accountants hate sheets as it wont do some of complex stuff excel will.

Buy it and install on machine. Get a mid range machine with an i5 processor from a brand you trust. Or get a grandson / great nephew to pick one, they know this stuff...

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

As someone who works for a company that uses google (mail and associated software) dont go there, none of it (except perhaps drive and sharing) is as good - the lawyers hated word equiv and inability to do what they needed, accountants hate sheets as it wont do some of complex stuff excel will.

Buy it and install on machine. Get a mid range machine with an i5 processor from a brand you trust. Or get a grandson / great nephew to pick one, they know this stuff...

Less of the Grandson Iseaiw1 I'm not that old

My son like some on here keeps trying to get me to buy a whizzbang Apple but it will be too much for my simple mind. I am going to shut my eyes and pick one off of Currys now