Suggest me a new laptop for Mrs UTH

[UTH]

Or point me in the direction of a thread that might have covered this already.

Mrs UTH's current laptop was probably around when humans discovered fire, so it really needs replacing.

In terms of usage, accessing email, Microsoft office and an internet explorer really is probably the extent of what it would be needed for, so I'm hoping that I won't need to break the bank to get her something that does these jobs nice and quickly instead of the hours it currently takes to even switch on.

I'm assuming there's a fair cost these days associated with owning Microsoft office? I'm hoping it's a one off purchase that then lasts you forever, although these days with the world all about subscriptions/in app purchases etc I imagine I'll be tucked up with a monthly bill for the rest of my life?

I'd say the only stipulation is that it needs to be brand new I think, it doesn't feel quite right giving her a present that's a refurb etc.....

[the-norseman]

Usage wise, if you can get the Mrs used to using Google Docs a Chromebook £200-300 would do perfectly. You can use Office 365 on them I believe.

[grumbledoak]

Microsoft Office is subscription these days.

If she can cope with "very nearly always" Office compatibility a Chromebook might do.

[thebraketester]

iPad/tablet would do all of that and more.

[xeny]

Are you after something to sit on a lap, so 13" to 14", or meant to sit on a table so moving towards 15" or 16" ?

[gangzoom]

thebraketester said:

iPad/tablet would do all of that and more.

I've found the M1 12.9inch iPad Pro with the OEM smart filo keyboard/case and 365/OneDrive pretty amazing for productivity. It does pretty much everything I can do the laptop but with essentially no loading/boot up time, much more portability, as good keyboard as I've used on any desk based setting, and generally a surprisingly good productivity tool.

Plug it into a USB-C dock and all of sudden you have essentially a desktop experience, that can run multiple apps with no issues - Though I really cannot wait for Apple to enable multiple (more than just 1) external monitor support on iOS.

But its not a cheap setup, and you need ongoing cloud based subscription + ideally mobile data plan to really max out the productivity any where, any time potential. I wouldn't do without mine now, but that's because its a work tool, if you want something cheap a Chrome book probably would do but the user experience would be no where near as good. I suppose it depends on how much OP is willing to spend on a present for the other half .

[UTH]

thebraketester said:

iPad/tablet would do all of that and more.

Yes, this is a good point......I've never used an Ipad with a proper keyboard, is it much the same as using a traditional laptop? I think that would be the main concern

[UTH]

xeny said:

Are you after something to sit on a lap, so 13" to 14", or meant to sit on a table so moving towards 15" or 16" ?

I'd say probably the smaller option, although that said her prehistoric current one is bloody massive (for not much gain) so she would be happy with either I imagine.

[UTH]

gangzoom said:

I've found the M1 12.9inch iPad Pro with the OEM smart filo keyboard/case and 365/OneDrive pretty amazing for productivity. It does pretty much everything I can do the laptop but with essentially no loading/boot up time, much more portability, as good keyboard as I've used on any desk based setting, and generally a surprisingly good productivity tool.

Plug it into a USB-C dock and all of sudden you have essentially a desktop experience, that can run multiple apps with no issues - Though I really cannot wait for Apple to enable multiple (more than just 1) external monitor support on iOS.

But its not a cheap setup, and you need ongoing cloud based subscription + ideally mobile data plan to really max out the productivity any where, any time potential. I wouldn't do without mine now, but that's because its a work tool, if you want something cheap a Chrome book probably would do but the user experience would be no where near as good. I suppose it depends on how much OP is willing to spend on a present for the other half .

Dumb question but can you get excel, word, powerpoint etc on an ipad?

[cabitup]

UTH said:

Dumb question but can you get excel, word, powerpoint etc on an ipad?

Yes

It's not the full fat version of office but it will handle most things for a "non power" user.

[UTH]

UTH said:

gangzoom said:

I've found the M1 12.9inch iPad Pro with the OEM smart filo keyboard/case and 365/OneDrive pretty amazing for productivity. It does pretty much everything I can do the laptop but with essentially no loading/boot up time, much more portability, as good keyboard as I've used on any desk based setting, and generally a surprisingly good productivity tool.

Plug it into a USB-C dock and all of sudden you have essentially a desktop experience, that can run multiple apps with no issues - Though I really cannot wait for Apple to enable multiple (more than just 1) external monitor support on iOS.

But its not a cheap setup, and you need ongoing cloud based subscription + ideally mobile data plan to really max out the productivity any where, any time potential. I wouldn't do without mine now, but that's because its a work tool, if you want something cheap a Chrome book probably would do but the user experience would be no where near as good. I suppose it depends on how much OP is willing to spend on a present for the other half .

Dumb question but can you get excel, word, powerpoint etc on an ipad?

Eeeesh, just did a quick spec on Apple's site....£1,200......sadly I don't think she'd be as over the moon as she should be for that price.
I'm probably more in the £300-£500 range.....it's something I wouldn't say she actively is desperate for, but on the other hand she would be very happy never to have to put up with her stty current one and all the issues that one brings.

[cabitup]

UTH said:

Eeeesh, just did a quick spec on Apple's site....£1,200......sadly I don't think she'd be as over the moon as she should be for that price.
I'm probably more in the £300-£500 range.....it's something I wouldn't say she actively is desperate for, but on the other hand she would be very happy never to have to put up with her stty current one and all the issues that one brings.

at that level I'd definitely reconsider looking at second hand / refurbed.

I have just bought a lenovo that will handle office tasks for the next few years easily and looks pretty much new 16GB ram and i7 new enough to run Windows 11 and it was 350 quid.

If you want something more stylish you should be able to get a Microsoft surface in budget.

[the-photographer]

• iPad with keyboard accessory
• Microsoft Surface tablet with keyboard accessory
• Refurb Dell 7400, Lenovo x390, T14 (from £150)

[n3il123]

cabitup said:

at that level I'd definitely reconsider looking at second hand / refurbed.

I have just bought a lenovo that will handle office tasks for the next few years easily and looks pretty much new 16GB ram and i7 new enough to run Windows 11 and it was 350 quid.

If you want something more stylish you should be able to get a Microsoft surface in budget.

That's the way I would go too, couple of hundred on a second hand ex corporate Lenovo Thinkpad something, pretty much indestructible perfect for office/ browsing and they're quite portable too. My partner still hasn't managed to kill her T450 despite her best attempts (including dropping it and carrying it by the screen!)

[UTH]

n3il123 said:

cabitup said:

at that level I'd definitely reconsider looking at second hand / refurbed.

I have just bought a lenovo that will handle office tasks for the next few years easily and looks pretty much new 16GB ram and i7 new enough to run Windows 11 and it was 350 quid.

If you want something more stylish you should be able to get a Microsoft surface in budget.

That's the way I would go too, couple of hundred on a second hand ex corporate Lenovo Thinkpad something, pretty much indestructible perfect for office/ browsing and they're quite portable too. My partner still hasn't managed to kill her T450 despite her best attempts (including dropping it and carrying it by the screen!)

Ok sounding like this might be wise then.
I assume that these days even with a refurbed laptop in order to have Word, Excel etc is an annual sub thing?

[the-photographer]

UTH said:

Ok sounding like this might be wise then.
I assume that these days even with a refurbed laptop in order to have Word, Excel etc is an annual sub thing?

Get and older copy from ebay, office 2019 or something

[UTH]

the-photographer said:

UTH said:

Ok sounding like this might be wise then.
I assume that these days even with a refurbed laptop in order to have Word, Excel etc is an annual sub thing?

Get and older copy from ebay, office 2019 or something

Oh right, does that work? Comes with the right codes or whatever? As that would certainly be preferable......I assume the laptop could need a CD drive?!

[the-photographer]

UTH said:

Oh right, does that work? Comes with the right codes or whatever? As that would certainly be preferable......I assume the laptop could need a CD drive?!

Yes, you'll typically get a box with CD. You'll need a borrow or buy a £20 usb drive

[cabitup]

UTH said:

Oh right, does that work? Comes with the right codes or whatever? As that would certainly be preferable......I assume the laptop could need a CD drive?!

If you must have MS office rather than something free like open office then it's 60 quid a year.

I get mine through a work but I'd say 60 quid is a bargain for what you get, especially if you aren't particularly tech proficient.

[UTH]

cabitup said:

UTH said:

Oh right, does that work? Comes with the right codes or whatever? As that would certainly be preferable......I assume the laptop could need a CD drive?!

If you must have MS office rather than something free like open office then it's 60 quid a year.

I get mine through a work but I'd say 60 quid is a bargain for what you get, especially if you aren't particularly tech proficient.

TBH I should probably ask Mrs UTH what actually IS essential for her. I have a feeling I've seen her using PowerPoint a fair bit, but I wonder if there are other things that could be used.
But also £60 a year isn't the end of the world.