Time to upgrade PC ?????

Muppet81

I have had my beloved Packard bell PC for over 8 years now. Operating on XP it has been a great friend.

I have of late had a few instances where I have had to accept that it is getting on abit ... aren't we all!

I was helping a friend today on her much newer PC using Windows 7 and I was impressed, so much faster and fun to use.

I am considering upgrading but as a bit of a numpty on the technical front I have some (probably daft) questions to ask

I know it is a "how long is a piece of string question" but what would be a good middle of the road wireless laptop package? I do a lot of typing so want a nice feeling keyboard. I know a lot of laptop keyboards get bad reviews.

I would like to finally invest in an external hard drive as to date i have survived by blind faith alone as my DVD writer is caput. What would be a reasonable one and what sort of cost?

I use Microsoft Money and could not imagine being without it. I know this would not work on Windows 7 and this is one reason why I have held off moving on. I am considering keeping my old PC and just using it for MS Money until I can find something to replace that wonderful software. Any ideas? This would also mean that I could move files I need over bit by bit to the new laptop to avoid a scary "all in one" manouvre.

Would love to be able to eventualy dispense with the PC but loosing MS MOney is my BIG fear.

If I go for a new Laptop and go wireless I would like to keep my current Orange e-mail address but would I be able to set up the same account on a new wireless laptop? Would I need to speak to Orange and obtain a new router or something? Thick I know

Anti virus - I know the techies use all sorts of different bits to provide their security and that many are free BUT I need something simple and foolproof, what would be the best one to add to my new package?

What exactly will Wirelss allow me to do? Use laptop all round house? Use anywhere with Wifi service?
Could i use it to access iplayer through TV? Seem to think that with a Wi this might be possible?

Any advice much appreciated.

closed

There's a sticky thread above on how to get it working like new.

avast AV is free, simple, fast

wireless will let you connect anywhere near a wireless router, if you have one already, you don't need another

TakeThis

It you get a laptop with Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, there is the possibility to run it in XP Mode. A good basic laptop can cost from £260.

You can also just buy a new PC and install XP to it. Zoostorm Desktop £200.

External HDD from £50.

What's your budget?

Obviously_the_best

for any computer I'd whole heartedly recommend https://www.novatech.co.uk, all their computers/lappys are assembled just down the road from me and their live chat and telephone people are so helpful, all of my computers have come from them, they're brilliant.

For you I'd recommend the following laptop with windows 7 home installed, and a good alternative to MS Money is http://www.gnucash.org/, why don't you try it on your computer first tho,
http://www.novatech.co.uk/laptop/range/eliteb800.html?th=b

and for a hard drive probably http://mocustoms.co.uk/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1531

What exactly will Wirelss allow me to do? Use laptop all round house? Use anywhere with Wifi service?
Could i use it to access iplayer through TV? Seem to think that with a Wi this might be possible?

As long as you have a wifi router then you'll be able to use it all over the house, watch iPlayer over it, as long as you pay to use public ones (unless they're free of course) you could use it anywhere you want

And for completely foolproof antivirus there is only one option, http://www.avg.com/gb-en/avg-premium-security

TakeThis

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

for any computer I'd whole heartedly recommend https://www.novatech.co.uk, all their computers/lappys are assembled just down the road from me and their live chat and telephone people are so helpful, all of my computers have come from them, they're brilliant.

For you I'd recommend the following laptop with windows 7 home installed, and a good alternative to MS Money is http://www.gnucash.org/, why don't you try it on your computer first tho,
http://www.novatech.co.uk/laptop/range/eliteb800.html?th=b

£400! That's no bargain. This is a money saving website.

Obviously_the_best

It's no bargain but it'll keep you going for another 8 years, unlike many other cheaper models, so in the long run it'll save money!

TakeThis

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

It's no bargain but it'll keep you going for another 8 years, unlike many other cheaper models, so in the long run it'll save money!

Yeah..right. Are you giving a personal warranty for those eight years?

They all come with a 1 Year warranty as standard which covers both parts and labour and additional warranties of up to 2 years can be purchased.

Just like all the other 'bog standard' laptops.

Obviously_the_best

I've had a novatech lappy for 7 years, and I don't see it going wrong in the near future!!!

TakeThis

Just noticed that you added that AVG nonsense to your faintly ridiculous post.

Obviously_the_best

AVG's a darn site better than norton etc (incase anyone didn't know, norton rots your computer from the inside out)

Obviously_the_best

TakeThis wrote: »

It you get a laptop with Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, there is the possibility to run it in XP Mode. A good basic laptop can cost from £260.

You can also just buy a new PC and install XP to it. Zoostorm Desktop £200.

External HDD from £50.

What's your budget?

That's no use to the OP at all, they wanted at LAPTOP