Buyer beware of buying laptops etc.

Wow! BigMamma… thanks for all that tech info.
I, stupidly, presumed that a new laptop / mobile was ‘new’ ….
I’ve recently bought a new laptop so missed checking that but I’ll definitely check with any future purchases.
Thank you.

Oh Lord, I didn't know anything about this. Thank you for the information. I bought a new computer ( on H.P.) recently.
It's disturbing to know that its life may be short.

BigMama I doubt I have ever bought a laptop that was less than 2 years from manufacture. This is something I did say. I buy trailing edge technology from remainder bin companies like Morgan computers.

Despite this buying really old technology, I have never had an update problem, or not so as I noticed

M0nica

What is new about this. Makers and software suppliers have always only updated software for so long after it has been superceded by a new product.

I always by trailing edge technology from Morgan computers I have been doing that for over 30 years and I have yet to have any problems.

Hi Monica, you have misunderstood by original post.

My original comments were not about updates stopping after a certain time, of course they do, my comments were about people purchasing a new laptop, thinking they had so many years of updates on their item but finding out, because the laptop was over two years old when purchasing it, that the updates had been reduced by two years.

Can you imagine, purchasing what you thought was a brand new laptop for £500 and then a few years down the line the updates had stopped two to three years before they should have only for you to realise that the laptop you had purchased as brand new was in fact a brand new laptop that was released two to three years before you bought it.

All I was saying was to ensure, that when you purchase a laptop of any kind, do your research and check when the model was released so you know you will get the full length of security and software updates you are entitled to. That goes for all models of laptops.

That is now why Google Chrome have stated that from this year 2024, all NEW chromebooks will automatically get 10 years of updates because of all the complaints. Even then, if you purchase a new Chromebook next year, check to see it has a release date of 2024 so you know you will get the 10 years of updates because if you buy one that was released in 2023 you will only get 9 years of updates etc. etc.

I hope this clears things up.

NotSpaghetti

BigMamma the retuning of the TV will not work on some Samsung models (and probably other manufacturers too).
I have spoken directly to their tech team.
Big changes were made to the TVs produced in the year hers was made and they won't update any more.

She had auto-retune "on" and I've spent hours fiddling with it and had emails re work-arounds (supplementary sustems) with Samsung tech team but nothing on the actual TV will work.

She's 100 now and doesn't want a new TV or a firestick/Roku with new and separate controls - which should still work apparently.

I'm pleased your TV can still update easily BigMamma. Unfortunately this model won't.

I am so sorry that your TV won't update anymore, My Samsung tv, (which is in the front lounge which I hardly ever use unless I have visitors), is 15 years old and still updates so it must be certain models but I do know that my 90 year old neighbours Samsung TV is older than mine and I auto tuned hers perfectly. Weird.

I have a two year old big screen Hitachi TV in my back lounge/dining room so that is perfect.

The best thing for your mum would be the Amazon Firestick but like you say, if she is happy with what she has then that is all that matters.

She is happy to watch BBC and so.e others so is ok.
I just feel annoyed as she used to like some things on 4 and there are "world drama" things I know she'd like - such as the Seaside Hotel.

BigMamma the retuning of the TV will not work on some Samsung models (and probably other manufacturers too).
I have spoken directly to their tech team.
Big changes were made to the TVs produced in the year hers was made and they won't update any more.

She had auto-retune "on" and I've spent hours fiddling with it and had emails re work-arounds (supplementary sustems) with Samsung tech team but nothing on the actual TV will work.

She's 100 now and doesn't want a new TV or a firestick/Roku with new and separate controls - which should still work apparently.

I'm pleased your TV can still update easily BigMamma. Unfortunately this model won't.

What is new about this. Makers and software suppliers have always only updated software for so long after it has been superceded by a new product.

I always by trailing edge technology from Morgan computers I have been doing that for over 30 years and I have yet to have any problems.

Merion

Windows 10 was issued in July 2015. Microsoft offer support for ten years. The company has announced that support for Windows 10 editions will end in October 2025 i.e. after ten years. If you are in the market for new Windows computer you should be looking at something that can run Windows 11.

Have you made sure you have the latest version of Window 10 running on the old device? There have been many new versions since 2015. The latest upgrade was in 2022 and called 22H2 build number 10.0.19045.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_10_version_history

Many apps aren’t built with much backward compatabilty so won’t work on older versions of Windows 10.

I had another go at the four year old Windows 10 laptop last night, the one our son gave me four years ago to see if I could update it to Windows 11, and like you said, it needed updating to the latest version of windows 10 (so thank you for that I hadn't checked) .'

I have now updated it to Windows 11 and sent our son a text this morning telling him that the laptop is now up to date on Windows 11. The little so and so now wants it back, cheeky devil. His company provides him with Apple products so now he wants the Dell laptop back for his own private use. I told him no, I have messed about with it and got it up todate and I refuse to spend hundred's on a new laptop until mine stops being updated, as I am 82, I may not be here by then.

He is in his mid 50's so should buy his own. If he wants a Windows laptop, I told him to wait until the end of this year when the new Windows 12 comes out, give it a few months to get the glitches sorted out and then buy one.

Thank you for communicating with me Merion, it has been lovely connecting with someone who knows about the thing I love, technology. Many people my age (82) know nothing about them or have not much interest but I love it.

Take care

Windows 10 was issued in July 2015. Microsoft offer support for ten years. The company has announced that support for Windows 10 editions will end in October 2025 i.e. after ten years. If you are in the market for new Windows computer you should be looking at something that can run Windows 11.

Have you made sure you have the latest version of Window 10 running on the old device? There have been many new versions since 2015. The latest upgrade was in 2022 and called 22H2 build number 10.0.19045.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_10_version_history

Many apps aren’t built with much backward compatabilty so won’t work on older versions of Windows 10.

Just read online that all Chromebooks from 2024 (this year) after lots of complaints, will now be getting 10 years worth of security updates instead of 5 but be careful that you are buying a machine that has been recently manufactured, because if it is 12 months or over it will cut down the years of updates. (If it is on sale then perhaps it will be worth buying)

Old stock should be sold off cheaply and not at the full price.

NotSpaghetti

BigMamma I know it's not the same but my mother-in-law can't watch anything on 4 now and other things are dropping off one by one.

All you need to do is re-tune your TV. You can do it automatically or manually. Just go to settings and re-tune and you will find many of the stations will come back but in a different order. I know some are being taken off for lack of use but I do know for sure that Channel 4 is still on.

Look at your manual and it will tell you how to re-tune your tv.

I am 82 years of age and do it all on my own. I can do most things on my laptop, and any other technical piece of equipment as I absolutely love technology. I have a smart watch which is connected to my mobile phone that takes messages, emails and answers calls.

My neighbour who is 90, had the same trouble has your MIL and she also had no idea why it was happening so I went round and re-tuned the TV for her. The problem now is that I have had to write down all the new numbers of the stations as many have changed and my friend uses the channel numbers to find the programme she wants, it took me ages to sort it out for her as she could not understand what I was doing.

Also my existing chromebook which is now out of date will not let me install any programmes from Google play store as my laptop is now End of life. It states I have to update it so how can I update a machine that is out of date.

When I log in I can access anything apart from updates so it is definitely not repairing itself to it's original state, because if it was I would be able to get updates.

I have an old windows laptop in my cupboard which I got out today, it was one my son gave me and it is 4 years old. (He has gone over to Apple). I was going to use that for streaming my films instead of buying a new windows laptop but it would not let me install any programmes or apps as it stated it was no longer getting updates and that is on a four year old windows 10 laptop so what is going on.

I know for a fact that windows 10 is okay until 2025 so it should have allowed me to update it and install programmes. I am waiting for a reply from the manufacturer to find out why as I cannot find the model number on the machine as it has worn off.

Merion

If we are talking about the same article, you did not say that Which is only talking about Chromebooks not Windows or Apple products.

www.which.co.uk/news/article/out-of-date-laptops-on-sale-in-uk-retailers-could-pose-security-risk-atOHK9a2sDG3

What you are describing is not End of Life (EOL) which relates to support for hardware but Auto Update Expiration (AUE) which relates to software. After the AUE, a Chromebook model will not be supported with security updates.

Generally, Google’s policy is to provide updates for ten years. That should cover the life of most devices but some features may not be supported in pre 2021 machines.

It’s all explained here and where Chromebooks users should be able to find their own model and the AUE date.

support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366?#zippy=

I did a quick search on Amazon for Chromebooks. The first hit was a an Acer Chromebook Plus 515. The AUE on that is June 2031. That model was released in October 2023 and is being supported for almost eight years. The second was an HP 15.6 with an AUE of June 2033. The third was a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim3 with an AUE of June 2033.

And bear in mind that even if a Chromebook is no longer receiving automatic updates, it still comes with secure mode. The Chromebook does a self-check every time it starts up.If it detects that the system has been tampered with or corrupted in any way, typically, it will repair itself, reverting back to its original state.

I’ve written more here about Apple iPads:

www.gransnet.com/forums/technology/1338210-I-Pad-running-on-16-7-8-OS

Sorry the Which report was talking about Chromebooks but the laptop I wanted to buy from the well known store was a windows 10 one and support runs out for it in 2025 so you have either to update to windows 11 or buy a windows 11 laptop. The one I wanted was a windows 10 and it was manufactured in 2023 so if I had bought it it would have been out of date in two years time 2025 anyway as I could not update to windows 11 as it had a small gb memory.

Some windows 10 can be updated to windows 11 but it depends on how much gb memory you have when you buy the laptop.

I am not sure about Apple as I keep away from them as I don't like how you are stuck with all the apple apps under their control and also they are much too expensive.

I only wanted a small windows laptop for streaming films as I have an expensive Dell laptop for banking etc. I swear by Dell.

If we are talking about the same article, you did not say that Which is only talking about Chromebooks not Windows or Apple products.

www.which.co.uk/news/article/out-of-date-laptops-on-sale-in-uk-retailers-could-pose-security-risk-atOHK9a2sDG3

What you are describing is not End of Life (EOL) which relates to support for hardware but Auto Update Expiration (AUE) which relates to software. After the AUE, a Chromebook model will not be supported with security updates.

Generally, Google’s policy is to provide updates for ten years. That should cover the life of most devices but some features may not be supported in pre 2021 machines.

It’s all explained here and where Chromebooks users should be able to find their own model and the AUE date.

support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366?#zippy=

I did a quick search on Amazon for Chromebooks. The first hit was a an Acer Chromebook Plus 515. The AUE on that is June 2031. That model was released in October 2023 and is being supported for almost eight years. The second was an HP 15.6 with an AUE of June 2033. The third was a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim3 with an AUE of June 2033.

And bear in mind that even if a Chromebook is no longer receiving automatic updates, it still comes with secure mode. The Chromebook does a self-check every time it starts up.If it detects that the system has been tampered with or corrupted in any way, typically, it will repair itself, reverting back to its original state.

I’ve written more here about Apple iPads:

www.gransnet.com/forums/technology/1338210-I-Pad-running-on-16-7-8-OS

BigMamma I know it's not the same but my mother-in-law can't watch anything on 4 now and other things are dropping off one by one.

CocoPops

Thanks for the info. Most helpful.

You are welcome. Then then people wonder why we are being scammed as they did not know their phone or laptop was out of date for security updates as they thought they had a few years of updates and software updates.

Blame the sellers.

NotSpaghetti

It's not just Laptops of course.
I went through this when buying a new TV.
Some were only guaranteed updates for 2 years.

I am not too bothered about TV's being end of life as they are only there to watch programmes, but I am concerned about out of date mobile phones and laptops where you do online banking and have banking apps on your phone for Google pay etc.

It is about time the practice was stopped by law.

I am computer literate but have found this new End of life carry on a pain in the backside as I am now aware that I may be buying old stock at the original price because the stockists still claim it is a brand new item even though it was manufactured two years ago.

Aways check before buying.

welbeck

i'm wondering about the mobile phone i recently bought.
since it doesn't have a QR reader . . .
anyway, too late now.
can't even use it as still awaiting sim card from new service . . .
at least i have got my original number transferred, as when i ring it, it goes to the new service's messages.
it's only just occurred to me that i should have inserted the original sim into the new phone, used up the credit with old service, then transferred to new service.
oh well, i can't be brilliant at everything.

You can still check it online, type in the name of the watch and model number, go onto the manufacturers website and look for end of life items (ELF) and your model number will show there and it will tell you when it was manufactured and when security updates stop. It is important to know that especially if you are using a banking app on your phone or paying by Google Pay etc.

Yes, it applies to everything technical. I purchased a (brand new smartphone) but found out last year that there were no more security updates and I had been using my banking app on the phone for a year as I thought the phone would be having security updates for another two years.

When I realised that I had not had an update for two months I checked the update site and it stated end of life. So I had paid for a brand new phone thinking it would last me 5 years and it only lasted me two so it is so important to look at the box before buying and check the manufcturing date or before buying, check the make and model of the item online for manufacturing dates. Otherwise you may be using an out of date phone with your banking app.

I did buy another phone that was released a few months ago so I am now okay for a few years.

I think it is a con and a law should be made that all technical items from well known sellers and manufacturers give a date when the item was made. We should not have to go online and check every little detail, we should be able to trust the sellers to inform us how old the so called brand new item is before purchasing.

welbeck

i'm wondering about the mobile phone i recently bought.
since it doesn't have a QR reader . . .
anyway, too late now.
can't even use it as still awaiting sim card from new service . . .
at least i have got my original number transferred, as when i ring it, it goes to the new service's messages.
it's only just occurred to me that i should have inserted the original sim into the new phone, used up the credit with old service, then transferred to new service.
oh well, i can't be brilliant at everything.

If it's Android 9 or higher just install an app

i'm wondering about the mobile phone i recently bought.
since it doesn't have a QR reader . . .
anyway, too late now.
can't even use it as still awaiting sim card from new service . . .
at least i have got my original number transferred, as when i ring it, it goes to the new service's messages.
it's only just occurred to me that i should have inserted the original sim into the new phone, used up the credit with old service, then transferred to new service.
oh well, i can't be brilliant at everything.

Thanks for the info. Most helpful.