A new laptop

[Brian]

Hi
I replaced my laptop just on a year ago and got a HP 256GB SSD drive. My main Windows PC has 256GB of SSD plus a 1TB HD. I back up both to the cloud as I can then access files on the move. Occasionally use a memory stick for transferring files to friends PCs etc but that a mere 32GB but that is more than sufficient for my needs.

[Mr Bones]

SSDs are good and generally faster loading. They are pricier than normal HDD especially if you want more storage. However, what you suggest is a good option, saving your files onto a larger external HDD. You would have to have a good routine for saving the data onto it otherwise over time it's all to easy to forget and if the laptop is lost, stolen or dies you could lose everything.

Another option and the one I chose is an external Synology NAS (Network Attached Storage), other makes are available This has two hard drives and the second drive mirrors the first in case one dies. The NAS is hidden away in the house but is constantly on and acts as my cloud storage. Everything from the laptop, PC and mobile phone photos gets automatically stored on there. If we are burgled and they take the laptop and PC it's not an issue as nothing is lost only the hardware and some software.

This is initially a more expensive option, but once in place I could stop worrying about backups and moving files and photos etc. Might be an option for you.

Personally I like Dell. We use them at work and I use them at home. Very few issues with them, but others may disagree.

[IanS]

It will all depend on what you intend doing with the laptop. If it is a little e-mailing, web searching (and posting to this forum) then for these the make, model and specification isn't important. If you do heavy duty photo or video edit then it becomes crucial. Your budget is also important too!

As a (now retired) teacher of IT/Computing I get asked a lot of questions like 'what should I buy?' and my answer is based around what they intend to use it for. Quite often modern tablets are sufficient for their immediate needs and cheaper than a laptop.

[teedoubleudee]

I'm with Mr. B regarding a NAS with mirrored RAID drives for speed, convenience and security. It's your precious data, why entrust it to an invisible "cloud" that could be taken away, destroyed or infected? And I understand some people even pay for the "service"! Crackers in my book.

As for laptop brands, my last job before retiring was as an auditor of major IT service companies and none that I ever visited ever had a good word to say about Dell machines and their reliability. That was some years ago and things might have changed but mud sticks.

[Walkingthedog]

We used a lot of Dell in air traffic control at Heathrow. Very reliable (had to be).

[mijj]

My W7 operated desk-top went out with a bang. I thought I'd update myself and got a laptop. It came with W10 and all the adverts.

I got very tired of the add's which I do not know enough about to get rid of them. So I found a local chappie that got my desktop working. I'd have done it myself but it wasn't worth the wait and watching those blinking ads.

I may use the lap-top as a dedicated rail operative. That is if I ever get that far. The chaps here said it wouldn't work on the router in the house with all the insulation I'd had done in the garage (foil backed stuff) and they were right
Perhaps others are able to work comfortably with adds (perhaps they even know how to get rid of them).
Jim.

[Walkingthedog]

I remember posting some time ago that wireless technology is becoming a thing of the past in modern houses due to all the insulation. My son has recently refurbished his house and all the rooms are connected with data wires, wireless doesn’t work.

[RogerB]

I’ve had my Dell Inspiron for 7 years with no machine related issues. The one time it “broke” it was my fault.

If you can bear it Mijj you can get a box that goes into your house power supply sockets which will extend your WiFi signal range. R-

[Walkingthedog]

They are good as long as the box by the hub and the one near you PC are on the same ring main. Well the one I had needed to be like that.

[mijj]

My son has recently refurbished his house and all the rooms are connected with data wires, wireless doesn’t work.

You have mentioned this before I think. Is it something I could do here? The garage is separate to the house and is electrically fed underground. This house is 27/28 years old.
Jim.