Friend looking for first ever laptop ? Toshiba

[Deleted User]

My friend is looking for her first ever laptop to enjoy in her forthcoming retirement- starting from nothing. She would need 'everything' including software ? Microsoft Office. She uses a computer at work but has never had one of her own.

She is a touch typist and wonders about Toshiba C870-1JV with a 17" screen or Toshiba C850-1LQ with a 15" screen. She does not need to buy immediately so there is no rush. I'd be grateful to get some reliable advice for her.

I've had a quick look and, when all the necessary 'extras' are added it can be quite expensive to 'get started.'

Would she need (in addition to broadband connection etc.) a reliable laptop - she would prefer a new one, office software, a mouse, probably a printer - and anything else?

PC World have some packages including laptop, mouse, printer and software but I'm not sure where's best for her to get an 'all inclusive' idea of price.

I'll be glad to pass on any of your valuable advice to her - my own opinion wouldn't be based on knowledge as I'm happy with what works for me - my trusty Toshiba C650.

Many thanks in advance.

Crimson

NiftyDigits

Laptop from £173.94 Software doesn't have to cost anything.
So she can have a laptop and printer for as little as £200.

neilwoods

What is the laptop to be used for, thats the most important thing to find out first.

[Deleted User]

neilwoods wrote: »

What is the laptop to be used for, thats the most important thing to find out first.

She uses Microsoft Office at work at present so is familiar with it. She would use 'Word' for letters etc. Email. browsing. She's a lovely pianist and enjoys music but (being tone deaf myself)I'm not sure what she would use on the internet for her music. She would like ? Skype to see and to talk to family abroad and she would like a printer.

Because she doesn't have a computer at all at present she'll probably just gradually build up her use of the computer and do more things online eventually.

I suppose it would be for just 'basic' use and hopefully be so 'up to date' with specifications to last quite a while - if that makes sense.

Many thanks

Crimson

closed

keyboard layout and positioning may be important to a touch typist, try some in shops, they can be very different

[Deleted User]

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Laptop from £173.94 Software doesn't have to cost anything.
So she can have a laptop and printer for as little as £200.

Thank you very much for the link - but I think she would prefer a new laptop. The one you have linked to looks very good though.

Crimson

[Deleted User]

closed wrote: »

keyboard layout and positioning may be important to a touch typist, try some in shops, they can be very different

Thank you very much. She has used my laptop and got on all right but thought the keyboard would take a bit of getting used to. She knows it won't be the same as the 'standard' computer she uses at work at present and is willing to compromise.

She has very limited space at home and that's why she would prefer a laptop.

Crimson

closed

some are easier to use than others, wrong spacing can take some adapting, it depends on brand, size of laptop, and whether there is a numeric keypad or not. touchpads can also be different.

NiftyDigits

Deleted_User wrote: »

She uses Microsoft Office at work at present so is familiar with it. She would use 'Word' for letters etc. Email. browsing. She's a lovely pianist and enjoys music but (being tone deaf myself)I'm not sure what she would use on the internet for her music. She would like ? Skype to see and to talk to family abroad and she would like a printer.

Because she doesn't have a computer at all at present she'll probably just gradually build up her use of the computer and do more things online eventually.

I suppose it would be for just 'basic' use and hopefully be so 'up to date' with specifications to last quite a while - if that makes sense.

Many thanks

Crimson

Four years later and I'm still using a dual core Celeron processor. Don't believe the hype about needing the latest spec for the thing to last.
Unless she is gaming, working with RAW or in to 3D design, it's unlikely to be an issue.
With the one to which I linked, whacking in a £15 4GB RAM module will take care of any likely increase in her usage.
Don't depend on anything lasting...it will only lead to disappointment.

NiftyDigits

Deleted_User wrote: »

Thank you very much for the link - but I think she would prefer a new laptop. The one you have linked to looks very good though.

Crimson

There is really no difference unless she wants to purchase the manufacturer's extended warranty.
It will be 'as new' with the same warranty conditions as a completely new machine.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

your friend could always get an external keyboard, which will be much easier for touch typing, and an external mouse, (I don't like the touchpad), these don't need to be expensive.



You don't need to buy MS Office, Open Office is free and compatable with MS Office.

Anti-virus and firewalls can all be got for free, I've had PCs and laptops for years, and never paid for any, no problems.

Most software can be found free, Foxit Reader is another,