Question about Macbooks

Huynha

I need a personal computer to answer emails and check a few accounts. As I know there's a few techy people on here, I was wondering should I spend the extra ££ for a new macbook air or look at other computers like Andoirds?

flaneurs_lobster

Will you be using it to check on the value of your NFT investments?

oldernonethewiser

Get something cheap and cheerful if you are only using email and browsing. 

Macbook would be overkill

Neil_Jones

Huynha said:

I need a personal computer to answer emails and check a few accounts. As I know there's a few techy people on here, I was wondering should I spend the extra ££ for a new macbook air or look at other computers like Andoirds?

What you wrote this on will suffice if it is just for checking email and bank statements.

prowla

It depends whether you want a Macbook.

MattMattMattUK

Huynha said:

I need a personal computer to answer emails and check a few accounts. As I know there's a few techy people on here, I was wondering should I spend the extra ££ for a new macbook air or look at other computers like Andoirds?

You would be better off getting a budget laptop or a Chromebook, unless you feel the need to purchase what some deem a status symbol. 

zagubov

I only use macbooks but I'd never recommend buying a new one.
If you see a good second-hand one with at least 8Gb of RAM and a decent SSD or HDD for a few hundred quid you'd be fine for email, streaming and browsing needs.
Otherwise you're in budget laptop/chromebook territory.
Are there perhaps cheaper tablets/ secondhand ipads that could meet your needs?

Huynha

flaneurs_lobster said:

Will you be using it to check on the value of your NFT investments?

Unfortunately no

Huynha

Thank you for your help. I'll consider that in my decision 

DullGreyGuy

zagubov said:

I only use macbooks but I'd never recommend buying a new one.
If you see a good second-hand one with at least 8Gb of RAM and a decent SSD or HDD for a few hundred quid you'd be fine for email, streaming and browsing needs.

You'll be fine in principle however you will be on an old Intel machine that wont be able to take newer versions of the OS and so in time will have more security vulnerabilities and less software support as Apple now make their own CPUs that are incompatible with Intel/AMD type CPUs

Personally, think security issues are overstated for the average home user, but at least its something people should be aware of before making a purchase and getting a legacy system. 

Grandad2b

A new Macbook will probably last 8+ years. During that time it'll get a new operating system (if you choose to download it) every year and multiple security updates. You won't need to waste money on antivirus unless you're in the habit of using some of the more dodgy parts of the Internet.
So, do the maths. 
[Full disclosure - I worked in IT support for a number of years and would never use a Windows machine from choice.]