Help to choose a replacement Toshiba laptop, please.

OnlyTheBestWillDo

You can take a moment to think about whether you would need the hub to do anything else. For example, I note the description of a MicroSD card reader on the laptop. But does it read SD Card? Do you have any SD Cards? In that case a Card Reader would be useful on a hub. Phone and device charging might also be useful to some.

But if just just a simple USB-C to USB-A hub is needed; you can buy them for less than £10. 
Examples:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/402648096798
Not that I am suggesting that you should buy the cheapest...
This one offers free Click & Collect: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q29N6H1 together with an example that has a reader for the larger SD card: https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Aluminium-Adapter-Compatible-MacBook-Space-Grey/dp/B07RRPS5NT/

[Deleted User]

I don't have any SD Cards, OnlyTheBestWillDo.  I have some documents and scans saved oa a  USB stick, the cordless mouse which uses the current only USB 'standard' port  and, occasionally when I need the extra sound, the existing old external external speaker which uses the headphone jack and a  'standard' USB port.  Here is the list in the Quickstart leaflet:

Left Side:  DC IN 19V jack, DC IN/Battery indicator, USB Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1) port, HDMI out port, Headphone/Microphone jack and Memory media slot.

Right side:  Smart Card slot, Power indicator, Universal Serial Bus (USB 3.1 Gen 1) - this is what I would recognize and call a normal USB PORT- , LAN jack, Security lock slot, SIM card slot and Universal Bus (USB 3.1 Gen 1*)  - this is on the leaflet but there is an * asterisk and I think this means that it is dependent on the model purchased.  That makes me think that, right enough, there is only one Universal Serial Bus (USB 3.1 Gen 1) port. This would be remedied by getting a USB extender Hub? - feeling a bit clever now understanding a bit of the terminology! I could then leave my cordless mouse USB in, also use my USB stick to access anything on it such as documents or occasional scan as well as the USB stick for my external speaker.  The Headphone would plug in to the jack on the Left Side.  Is that right?

I have found (by removing the USB stick for the cordless mouse) that the old (quite big in size and now a bit clunky) external speaker still works O.K.  I have never had it plugged in all the time but, with my hearing problem, there are times when it really helps. 

Although I am very eager to 'get going'  I really don't have to rush at all.  I am still getting used to the new laptop.The information and links you have given are all really helpfu.  I feel more knowledgeable already thank you very much. I'll go over them again, giving proper time to take them in, and, thanks to all the helpful input given, will be able to make the right choices.  I think I'm just being impatient to get the very best from my lovely new laptop as soon as possible!  I'm a slow learner so I should know better than to be so impatient.

Many thanks, yet again.

OnlyTheBestWillDo

My suggestion, since you don't have any current use for the USB-C port, is to obtain a hub that fits to that port. That will give you five USB-A ports. 

Amply illustrated here:




Of course, being a girl, you will prefer one that matches the colour of your new laptop: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GGMYDCW

[Deleted User]

That is perfect, thank you OnlyTheBestWillDo.   As for the colour matching  ... at last this 'old girl' may well be finally moving with the times!

I was never offended, since I knew it was absolutely true, but some time ago a young (very young!) relative was baffled by my clear lack of technical  expertise and, in youthful frustration/exasperation, blurted out that I was ... just not technically adept.

Well, with all the great help and support here ... I am improving and, colour matching my laptop accessories must be real progress!   So there's  life in the old dog (oops ... old girl) yet!

Signed: An appreciative Retired_Saver 

OnlyTheBestWillDo

[Deleted User] said:

That is perfect, thank you OnlyTheBestWillDo.   As for the colour matching  ... at last this 'old girl' may well be finally moving with the times!

I was never offended, since I knew it was absolutely true, but some time ago a young (very young!) relative was baffled by my clear lack of technical  expertise and, in youthful frustration/exasperation, blurted out that I was ... just not technically adept.

Well, with all the great help and support here ... I am improving and, colour matching my laptop accessories must be real progress!   So there's  life in the old dog (oops ... old girl) yet!

Signed: An appreciative Retired_Saver 

This is a Tech board for ordinary people. No Tech speak or confusing nonsense meant to make people feel stupid. Everyone is helpful here.

OnlyTheBestWillDo

Retired_Saver said:

I don't have any SD Cards, OnlyTheBestWillDo.  I have some documents and scans saved oa a  USB stick, the cordless mouse which uses the current only USB 'standard' port  and, occasionally when I need the extra sound, the existing old external external speaker which uses the headphone jack and a  'standard' USB port.  Here is the list in the Quickstart leaflet:

Left Side:  DC IN 19V jack, DC IN/Battery indicator, USB Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1) port, HDMI out port, Headphone/Microphone jack and Memory media slot.

Right side:  Smart Card slot, Power indicator, Universal Serial Bus (USB 3.1 Gen 1) - this is what I would recognize and call a normal USB PORT- , LAN jack, Security lock slot, SIM card slot and Universal Bus (USB 3.1 Gen 1*)  - this is on the leaflet but there is an * asterisk and I think this means that it is dependent on the model purchased.  That makes me think that, right enough, there is only one Universal Serial Bus (USB 3.1 Gen 1) port. This would be remedied by getting a USB extender Hub? - feeling a bit clever now understanding a bit of the terminology! I could then leave my cordless mouse USB in, also use my USB stick to access anything on it such as documents or occasional scan as well as the USB stick for my external speaker.  The Headphone would plug in to the jack on the Left Side.  Is that right?

I have found (by removing the USB stick for the cordless mouse) that the old (quite big in size and now a bit clunky) external speaker still works O.K.  I have never had it plugged in all the time but, with my hearing problem, there are times when it really helps. 

Although I am very eager to 'get going'  I really don't have to rush at all.  I am still getting used to the new laptop.The information and links you have given are all really helpfu.  I feel more knowledgeable already thank you very much. I'll go over them again, giving proper time to take them in, and, thanks to all the helpful input given, will be able to make the right choices.  I think I'm just being impatient to get the very best from my lovely new laptop as soon as possible!  I'm a slow learner so I should know better than to be so impatient.

Many thanks, yet again.

Slightly concerned about this, as it doesn't match with the published spec.It should be a 1 × USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2 port which supports Data transfer, Power Delivery and Display Port

I would use the hub for peripherals such as your mouse and power for the speakers, leaving the on-board USB-A for more critical usage. 
Is it just a single speaker you have or is it a pair of stereo speakers? Personally I would get better, perhaps stereo speakers if just a single speaker. Useful for YouTube etc I bought a pair for just £3, though not from the U.K. 

If you don't mind plugging them into the wall, you can probably pick them up for a few pounds via eBay: 

Example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133784763723 Probably any bid will get them. £2 plus postage?
Better than blocking a USB port just to obtain power for speakers and they should sound better and make watching and listening more enjoyable.

Same MO:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174796990249


If you have space on and perhaps under a desk, these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224492825941 will make a real difference to your listening pleasure. Again, there are so many of these things online that they go for a song, unless someone makes reference to them on a popular board. Whoops.

I don't know how you use your laptop, but I would always use mains speakers at home, rather than to waste a USB port. USB and Bluetooth speakers usually for outside/travel. Not much point using such a system at home.

You can ask the young relative to put a bid in at my suggested price if you are not used to bidding via eBay. Though I would pay a bit more for the speakers with the sub-woofer. They really make a difference to the enjoyment of music and movies.

[Deleted User]

Is it just a single speaker you have? - Yes just a single really quite old external speaker bought in Maplins a number of years ago.  I have very limited space (small house) and I had it in mind that maybe I could get a smaller external more modern speaker. - to do justice to the new 'modern' laptop.  (You are getting my life history here - but I am so deaf in one ear (can't be corrected with hearing aid) and, I may be wrong but, because of lack of space and my hearing problem I wondered if just a single external speaker would do.  I also use my laptop in my living room as well as in my bedroom and it would be easier to transfer a smaller speaker - but I'm definitely open to looking at anything suitable at all.

I am keeping all the links you have given and, because I'm a slow learner, I am soldiering on getting used to the new laptop.  Latest success - I changed the background on my desktop to the one I was familiar with and  it really does seem more welcoming and familiar when I log in!  My product key for my very old Windows ? Office enterprise 2007 would not work and I managed to browse then successfully (I think!) download Libre Office which seems to be free.

Re:  "Slightly concerned about this, as it doesn't match with the published spec. It should be a 1 × USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2 port which supports Data transfer, Power Delivery and Display Port" -

'I'm happy with the laptop and it seems to do everything I need - and more.  Here is the  Quickstart leaflet copy - I hope it is clear enough to read:


So - my slow paced learning continues and, so far, I couldn't be more pleased, thank you very much.

debitcardmayhem

As an aside, I note you said that you have docs saved on a usb stick, save them in the cloud too and possibly on your pc too. Usb sticks are not reliable enough and one copy of stuffcounts as being no backup.

OnlyTheBestWillDo

Retired_Saver said:

Is it just a single speaker you have? - Yes just a single really quite old external speaker bought in Maplins a number of years ago.  I have very limited space (small house) and I had it in mind that maybe I could get a smaller external more modern speaker. - to do justice to the new 'modern' laptop.  (You are getting my life history here - but I am so deaf in one ear (can't be corrected with hearing aid) and, I may be wrong but, because of lack of space and my hearing problem I wondered if just a single external speaker would do.  I also use my laptop in my living room as well as in my bedroom and it would be easier to transfer a smaller speaker - but I'm definitely open to looking at anything suitable at all.

I am keeping all the links you have given and, because I'm a slow learner, I am soldiering on getting used to the new laptop.  Latest success - I changed the background on my desktop to the one I was familiar with and  it really does seem more welcoming and familiar when I log in!  My product key for my very old Windows ? Office enterprise 2007 would not work and I managed to browse then successfully (I think!) download Libre Office which seems to be free.

Re:  "Slightly concerned about this, as it doesn't match with the published spec. It should be a 1 × USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2 port which supports Data transfer, Power Delivery and Display Port" -

'I'm happy with the laptop and it seems to do everything I need - and more.  Here is the  Quickstart leaflet copy - I hope it is clear enough to read:


So - my slow paced learning continues and, so far, I couldn't be more pleased, thank you very much.

It's odd, but were it not for the fact that I know the size of my mum's laptop and the fact that I set up stereo speakers, I would think I was chatting with mum.

I think that the Quick Start leaflet is just generic for the range and doesn't cover your laptop completely. Cannot imagine that Toshiba would get their own specification wrong. So I think it is as I describe and not what is on your Quick Start leaflet.

If the laptop sits on a desk or similar fixed position, I would still have a speaker system with the sub-woofer(if you can get it for a tenner including delivery) in the living room (subwoofer can sit under the desk or similar )and maybe something smaller for the bedroom; Bluetooth or fixed.
It is just more pleasant all round; even with just speech, as it gives it depth and makes it easier to hear/detect. Sound is vibration; so you need something that can reproduce those vibes, otherwise you are missing so much, even as you state with only one ear in good condition.

Again it comes down to how you use your laptop. If not in a fixed position, it could be annoying to have any wires attached. But if in a fixed position in either room; I would have fixed speakers that plug in and a corresponding length of lead for the headphone connection. 
If sitting on the bed in a Lotus position with the laptop in my lap; I would use Bluetooth speakers, as even a single wire from the headphone connection would be annoying. Of course they need an initial setup, so reluctant to recommend.

A single external speaker produces less waves; more difficult to hear. You want to go the other way; speakers that can reproduce sound waves throughout the hearing spectrum. More chances of you actually hearing something.

I am still keeping in mind the whole girly buying of mini things.. I don't think your house is that small.
I should add that I had almost exactly the same situation with girlfriend. I set up similar speakers on her desk for her laptop and she had a proper go at me.....until she plugged them in. All smiles from then on. 
No more missed dialogue in movies and can enjoy them just like on TV and perhaps even the cinema. Music of course just sounds much better.
So if space is really at a premium, compact but bouncy pair of speakers. 
Your suggestion is like putting a patch over one eye and then insisting that you only want to watch media in black & white, because it's not worth watch media in colour because you are only using one eye. It doesn't work that way. You might not get the stereo effect, but you can still hear and feel the difference. You can still detect if someone is talking to you in a high pitched voice or if their voice is deep and mellow.

So I would say get the best you can within a fixed budget. 

So you decide and we'll look for what fits. But we want an honest appraisal of the space available; not a girly one.
If it were me, I would set up the speakers with the subwoofer and tuck the subwoofer away out of sight if possible with just the two small speakers on the desk.

In fact I am on holiday and using exactly that kind of system attached to my laptop. You really need them for some media; otherwise you really have to lean forward and focus on what they are saying. With the 2:1 speakers, I can walk around and still hear everything. So useful if you are listening/watching a program and knitting/cooking at the same time. Just a lot more versatility than a tiny, almost useless speaker.
So tailor the speaker towards possible usage rather than it being tiny for tiny sake.

OnlyTheBestWillDo

...and don't forget that warranty. It will be an expensive laptop to replace once you get used to the quality of the components.
Even down to the Full HD(1920 x 1080 pixel so full screen) webcam and the quality of the screen. Most laptops in that price range come with 1280 x 720 pixel webcams(so they need to expand for full screen, with a corresponding loss of detail) and inferior screens.

That young whippersnapper won't be able to talk down to you any more.