Desktop, laptop, tablet?

Apple every time. DH has Microsoft with Windows and it’s an absolute nightmare. Everything of mine is Apple, watch, phone, iPad, laptop, and I use them all, laptop least though. Also, the rest of the family is all Apple which make communication and connectivity so very much easier. Wouldn’t give Microsoft houseroom ..

Checkout delloutletuk they have black Friday deals on at the moment too. Refurbished laptops or just a bit of cosmetic damage. www.dellrefurbished.co.uk/category/store-ws-mobile/workstations/mobile-workstations/1.html

At work I used both a desktop and a laptop but since I retired I solely use my iPad mostly for the same things you need, I’ve never had any problems with them and can honestly say I don’t miss any functionality from the pc’s

Mojack26

If you have 2 i pads and a phone why do you need a desktop? I haven't used a desktop in over 20 years! Save your money for something else. I know no one who uses a desktop now.

It depends what we like, and people are different from one another. I don’t use a desktop but prefer a laptop to an iPad. It doesn’t mean I need one, but for preference I would replace my MacBook and not my iPad if I lost them both. It doesn’t mean I think that others should do likewise.

Google chrome book.......if you don't mind google.

I've been using a Macbook Air for years. I gave up totally on Windows when they wanted to charge me for using excel etc. I discovered that Apple's numbers, pages etc - are very similar. Not sure I could be bothered to go back to Windows now. I just have to remember to export files to excel etc if sharing with a non Mac user.

If you have 2 i pads and a phone why do you need a desktop? I haven't used a desktop in over 20 years! Save your money for something else. I know no one who uses a desktop now.

RosiesMaw2 - wondering if you went to an official Apple store or one of their franchises that mainly deal with phones? I only ask as I had computer problems and went to the local store and was told couldn't be repaired. I then went to a local repairer and 2/3 year later that particular machine is still working. In my ignorance I did not realise it wasn't a 'full' Apple store, just saw the Apple logo outside.
I also later took my phone in when it suddenly stopped working and was told the only option was to buy another, said I'd think about it, went home and a friends son sorted it out in less than 5 mins.
Apologies if this sounds patronising, you're probably much more on the ball than I am techno wise.

I had tablets then realised I wasn't using them. I have a phone with a screen that is large enough to read kindle books on, and quite a good spec so I can run all the apps I need. As it's also small enough to keep in my pocket (admittedly I do choose clothes with generous pockets) I have it with me all the time whereas tablets tend to stay in one location. When I plan to do some actual work or posting I sit at my desk and fire up my chromebook which can be displayed on a full size monitor. Then I also have a big Windows PC for music production and gaming but that is not turned on every day.

So basically what I am saying is I found the tablets were just wasted. Not small enough to have by my side at a moment's notice and not large enough to use comfortably for periods of productivity or office type apps.

I got an iMac 24" in pink to replace my old desktop Mac two years ago and I still love it. Not cheap but I love the size of the screen together with the slim body which takes up very little space. I also have an apple iPad for its mobility but use a Moto (very cheap) smartphone which does what I need.

I mostly use an Android v.14 tablet but for some things I use a Dell Windows 11 laptop (long documents, some interactions that don't work well with Android). Both seem to cover the waterfront. I've never used Apple kit because I started with Windows (and before that mainframe languages).

I have a still reasonably new lap top which never has the lid opened these days. Having bought it, and worked with windows in all its incarnations until I retired, I suddenly couldn’t get on with it at all. It’s been totally wasted on me. If I was new to laptops I’d feel as if I had an excuse but this is my third one and the only one I’ve given up on. Loathe as I am to admit it, I am surgically attached to my iPad, and also have an Apple phone.

I have just bought another Macbook air. Pricey but worth it.
My existing Macbook Pro is very slow and cannot update further than Macos Mojave for the latest software updates.
I have an iphone and an ipad and I like the way they all interact with each other.
I would struggle to use a windows laptop now.

I have a Lenovo Windows laptop and use it for making videos. With a Microsoft 365 subscription you can use Clipchamp, very easy to use video editing software. I have OneDrive with 1 TB storage included too. I can access all my files on my IPhone. I have had two IPads but both recently gave up the ghost so I bought a Lenovo tablet. It’s not as good as an IPad but a fraction of the price and does everything I need it to.

Just a thought, I never buy "new new" now but rather a returned or repaired. Also make sure there is sufficient memory in the hard drive for any future operating system update. My last brand new laptop was cheap but I couldn't install Windows OS10 (?) when it came out as there wasn't enough memory. I was livid!

I have an iphone and an i pad which I wouldn’t be without. I have access to DH’s laptop if I want to access something like publisher but much prefer the apple equipment.
I use the iphone for all my activities throughout the day but only do internet banking on the ipad because I don’t fancy carrying such apps around and about.

When we first got iPads they weren’t compatible with a lot of online forms etc but nowadays it’s not an issue at all.

Gosh we’re so dependent on all these things… am also using an old heavy Mac laptop also 10 years old -takes ages to charge up… fortunately my lovely daughter passes down her ‘old’ apple products so I’ve an iPhone, apple watch and an iPad… really like the iPad and watch and they charge up quickly - now all I need is a cook and a cleaner🤩

I have just had a new iPad Aire 5 which at the age of 87 I am coming to terms with. I had an iPad 6 before that with which I was fine. The new one I’ve found difficult. I also have a windows laptop and a windows desktop, using outlook on both and have never found any difficulty with it, it does what I need anyway. I run my Genealogical programs both on there and on the laptop. I believe you are in the same county as I am Rosiesmaw2 so if you would like to come and fiddle about on mine to see if it suits you, you are very welcome. I find the Apple products over priced for what they are, and would not have bought the Aire had I known what a fiddle it was.

Apple for me every time. However a small disappointment for me is the way apple work in numbers and pages which are not compatible with Microsoft, so when I attached a document to people who do not work in Apple I have to export it to either PDF or of Word. Still a small price to pay for the efficiency and ease when working with Apple products. The after sales service is next to none too, you have back up service at least 12 hours a day FOC. I also have an iPad and an iPhone. I use my Mac at least 8 hours a day and find it so much easier to work on that the iPad, but I love the iPad for personal use and relaxing when playing a few games and google stuff. I don't think you will regret if you replace with another Apple product, but which depends on what you use it for. The staff are very good at guiding you well in store and you can always do a refresher course on the new equipment, which as you will know is FOC in store too.

I have a Dell desktop and an Apple iPad. I also have an iPhone.
I use the desktop for more “serious” stuff as my eyesight isn’t the best. Iplay games on the iPad and use the phone for thi# and 5har.
My pc has recently been replaced as it was getting erratic and unreliable. It is very compact consisting of a monitor and keypad, instead of the bulky tower of old. It doesn’t, however, have a CD player.

My desktop PC is Windows 10 and can't update to 11. So I'll take the hard drive out after Christmas and skip it. My iPad is 7 years old and I bought it to replace my original one that was 6 years old so I'm due I'm new one soon. I like my iPad as it's easier to use but I also have a 5 year old laptop that has been upgraded to 11.

Well I have just replaced my 6 year old Asus (became unsupported - never went wrong) with another new Asus. Much prefer for documents, zoom and scanning etc. Also have an ipad and iphone both of which I love so use both systems easily.

I was in exactly your position earlier this year when my beautiful iMac died under the strain of its last update. My iPad was also old and battery life poor. My husband bought me a new iPad with higher memory and a keyboard.
I haven’t missed the iMac once. I seriously considered ending my love affair with all things apple, but I’m glad I haven’t- there’s just something about apple quality.

Marydoll

I think I am in the minority nowadays. I have a PC and a tablet, more than sufficient for my needs. Both, along with my phone are linked to two printers.

I have never had a desire to have any Apple product. The only reason I can think of is that I was responsible for the I Macs in school and never warmed to them.

I have an extra large monitor and keyboard, which I couldn't have with a laptop.

Sorry I am of no help.

Yes, you can have a large monitor and keyboard with a laptop, as long as you choose a laptop with USB and HDMI ports. Set your laptop to stay on when you close the lid, plug the monitor into the HDMI port, the keyboard and external mouse into the USB ports, close the laptop and put it out of the way and away you go - best of both worlds.

Depends really what you want them for.
I have an iPhone only for phone calls, emails and WhatsApp. DH has a large computer for banking , Files for insurance etc. He also does family tree research on it
We share an iPad, GN, eBay etc And I have my own desk top just for writing. Phone, computer and iPad are used jointly and are therefore the most useful. I would not like to do my banking by phone.