buying a Mac?

benson1980

I'd agree that the 2017 macbook air (new) option is worth a look. The savings vs a refurb aren't that great and this will do everything you need well. Unfortunately JL look like they've sold out now but other retailers still sell them.

Chromebooks would also be a great option IMO considering your usage.

deejaybee

benson1980 wrote: »

I'd agree that the 2017 macbook air (new) option is worth a look. The savings vs a refurb aren't that great and this will do everything you need well. Unfortunately JL look like they've sold out now but other retailers still sell them.

Chromebooks would also be a great option IMO considering your usage.

Yep we bought one for our daughter a few weeks back from JL she is very happy with it.

onomatopoeia99

Erinome wrote: »

The other one is just a really old laptop (Windows XP), and I can't surf to certain websites, I get an error message come up. Browser's probably out of date.

Internet explorer on XP hasn't had support for up-to-date encryption protocols for years, so you won't be able to access a lot of HTTPS sites because they won't allow the browser to negotiate down to a vulnerable protocol. Any HTTPS sites that do allow it are in need of attention to security from their webmaster.

Even third party browser support is difficult as no-one has much interest in developing or updating software for it. XP is so far beyond an already ridiculously extended end of life that aside from some very specific circumstances no-one should be using it.

So either put a linux on the laptop or throw it in the bin.

As for the other, I've never had a problem with a Windows update breaking anything on a dual boot Windows / linux machine (we've got one at work with a windows and three linux flavours on it). What do the updates do to the dual boot process that causes problems?

zagubov

I never buy new macs. Refurbs or secondhand on ebay do me well.
They optimised ease-of-use a long time before Windows machines did so don't feel you've got to desperately get the latest model, or feel any pressure to update.

[Deleted User]

I bit the bullet 4 years ago and got myself a macbook air from pc world £850 less £100 cash back and i've never regretted it for a nano second.

suki1964

Im using a MacBook Air for the same things you are wanting.

No it isn't cheap, a tablet or a Chromebook would be cheaper but for me, with the whole family using iPhones, I bought this for the simplicity

TBH, Linux or windows on a cheaper machine would do me just as well, In fact I do have a very old lap top (2008) running linux which is as quick as this. I only chose a Mac out of pure laziness. I wanted to to press yes and things just work without having to tweak or use 3rd party software

ukbfg

Good deal on a decent and very stylish Chromebook here:-
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-flip-c433ta-14-intel-core-m3-2-in-1-chromebook-64-gb-emmc-silver-10199195-pdt.html?awc=1599_1574065018_acc96ea3998bec3fbb253bddd8630a5c&srcid=369&xtor=AL-1&cmpid=aff~HotUKDeals~Communities%20%26%20UGC~47868~Pepper+Deals+Ltd

martinthebandit

Roaringwaves wrote: »

As long as your budget is high, everything is easy.

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/buy_cheap,_buy_twice

Samsonite1

If you really want a Mac and are happy to pay for it, then that is the way to go. I think wiping one of your existing laptops (after backing up anything important of course!) and putting on Linux (something like Linux Mint perhaps) would be worth trying for free, because your usage requirements do not need either Windows or Mac and Linux tends to get more out of your hardware. As it is free, it seems sensible before you go and spend the money!

I have changed 2 laptops in the house from Windows to Linux (Debian 10 Cinnamon) and my family love it - easy to use, no issues or errors and my son can even play Minecraft on it (when he is allowed)! You can make it look pretty if you want to, but no need to of course.

At work I am changing my Windows laptop to a Mac, but only because they are paying - I would not spend my own money on it as it is not really necessary, but I am not liking Windows 10 at all.

almillar

Good deal on a decent and very stylish Chromebook here:-
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-flip-c433ta-14-intel-core-m3-2-in-1-chromebook-64-gb-emmc-silver-10199195-pdt.html?awc=1599_1574065018_acc96ea3998bec3fbb253 bddd8630a5c&srcid=369&xtor=AL-1&cmpid=aff~HotUKDeals~Communities%20%26%20UGC~478 68~Pepper+Deals+Ltd

Looks nice, but it's £500, limited to ChromeOS, 64GB eMMC, an Intel m3 processor. You could do much better with a Windows notebook or a couple of years old Apple notebook. Very poor value IMO.