What computer? Or how do I choose the right computer

What computer? Or how do I choose the right computer

First question: what do you want to use a computer for? Read books Browse the internet Online shopping Send / receive emails. Access to government sites for pension, benefits, allowances etc. Online banking. Submitting Utility bills. Skype and other voice / video communications Storing / Viewing photographs Editing photographs Listening / watching on the move Viewing catch up TV / Radio Using maps to plan journeys Social media Using GPS and maps for navigation Writing short documents (less than 2-3 pages) Playing games. (simple games, solitaire etc.) Playing games. (real life simulation games) Checking Transport timings Family History research Writing longer documents (more than 2-3 pages) Using spreadsheets for accounts etc. Store and edit home made videos Desk top publishing, i.e. Newsletter. Self Publishing a novel.

Second question: Have you got Broadband WiFi at home? Most of the tasks done using a computer require broadband access to the internet. At home broadband is normally delivered via a phone line or TV cable and uses a WiFi router. Away from home you can access the internet at stations, cafés, hotels etc. using WiFi. You can also access the internet using 3g or 4g mobile telephone signals. Without WiFi you need a wired connection, (not supported by some tablets and small computers).

What is a Computer best at: Kindle or other Ebook reader. Read books Browse the internet Online shopping Send / receive emails. Access to government sites for pension, benefits, allowances etc. Online banking. Submitting Utility bills. Skype and other voice / video communications Storing / Viewing photographs Editing photographs Listening / watching on the move Viewing catch up TV /Radio Using maps to plan journeys Social media Using GPS and maps for navigation Writing short documents (less than 2-3 pages) Playing games. (simple games, solitaire etc.) Playing games. (real life simulation games) Checking Transport timings Family History research Writing longer documents (more than 2-3 pages) Using spreadsheets for accounts etc. Store and edit home made videos Desk top publishing, i.e. Newsletter. Self Publishing a novel.

What is a Computer best at: Tablet Read books Browse the internet Online shopping Send / receive emails. Access to government sites for pension, benefits, allowances etc. Online banking. Submitting Utility bills. Skype and other voice / video communications Storing / Viewing photographs Editing photographs Listening / watching on the move Viewing catch up TV /Radio Using maps to plan journeys Social media Using GPS and maps for navigation Writing short documents (less than 2-3 pages) Playing games. (simple games, solitaire etc.) Playing games. (real life simulation games) Checking Transport timings Family History research Writing longer documents (more than 2-3 pages) Using spreadsheets for accounts etc. Store and edit home made videos Desk top publishing, i.e. Newsletter. Self Publishing a novel.

What is a Computer best at: Laptop Read books Browse the internet Online shopping Send / receive emails. Access to government sites for pension, benefits, allowances etc. Online banking. Submitting Utility bills. Skype and other voice / video communications Storing / Viewing photographs Editing photographs Listening / watching on the move Viewing catch up TV /Radio Using maps to plan journeys Social media Using GPS and maps for navigation Writing short documents (less than 2-3 pages) Playing games. (simple games, solitaire etc.) Playing games. (real life simulation games) Checking Transport timings Family History research Writing longer documents (more than 2-3 pages) Using spreadsheets for accounts etc. Store and edit home made videos Desk top publishing, i.e. Newsletter. Self Publishing a novel.

What is a Computer best at: Desktop or tower. Read books Browse the internet Online shopping Send / receive emails. Access to government sites for pension, benefits, allowances etc. Online banking. Submitting Utility bills. Skype and other voice / video communications Storing / Viewing photographs Editing photographs Listening / watching on the move Viewing catch up TV /Radio Using maps to plan journeys Social media Using GPS and maps for navigation Writing short documents (less than 2-3 pages) Playing games. (simple games, solitaire etc.) Playing games. (real life simulation games) Checking Transport timings Family History research Writing longer documents (more than 2-3 pages) Using spreadsheets for accounts etc. Store and edit home made videos Desk top publishing, i.e. Newsletter. Self Publishing a novel.

Third Question: do you want to use the computer on the move? Use as navigation guide. Tablets and smart phones can show a map marking your position. Checking transport details. When s the next train bus. Entertainment, music, speech, video. Watch and listen on long train or plane journeys. If yes, you need a Tablet computer. Just chose the type. If no take the next steps.

Forth Question: What Type of Computer Kindle Kindle fire Tablet Net book / notebook / small laptop Laptop Desktop / tower

Forth question: Which system? There are four main operating systems for computers. Apple ios Microsoft Windows Android Chrome OS The main choice between these is security. Apple is the most secure. Apple systems have been attacked, but very few times. Microsoft Windows. is the most attacked system at the moment, so its important to maintain security. Android can be secure but relies on people to behave responsibly. It has less control of who makes and sells Apps. Potentially very vulnerable. Chrome OS is claimed to be secure

Decision Time At question 1 you decided what you want a computer for. Question 2, Broadband you have it or will get it, or won t get it. Question 3. You chose using computer on the move or not. Question 4. based on your answers You chose Tablet, Laptop, or Desktop. Question 5. You chose Apple, Microsoft, Android or Chrome OS.

Microsoft Tablet Microsoft Surface 2, 10.6 screen, 32GB 299 64GB 329 64GB 4G 439 Now replaced by the surface 3, but may still be available.

Microsoft Surface Microsoft Surface Pro 3. Does not have 3G or 4G Core i3, 64GB, 4GB RAM - 639 Core i5, 128GB, 4GB RAM - 849 Core i5, 256GB, 8GB RAM - 1,109 Core i7, 256GB, 8GB RAM - 1,339 Core i7, 512GB, 8GB RAM - 1,649 Keyboard cover 109.

Apple ipad Different models available. ipad Air 2. 9.7 screen size. ipad Mini 7.9 screen size. ipad Air 2 - Wi-Fi: 16GB 399, 64GB 479, 128GB 559 Wi-Fi + Cellular: 16GB 499, 64GB 579, 128GB 659 ipad Mini 3 - Wi-Fi: 16GB 319, 64GB 399, 128GB 479 Wi-Fi + Cellular: 16GB 419, 64GB 499, 128GB 579 Older models are still available and are lower priced, older ipad Mini can be bought for 199.

Tesco Hudl 2 8.3 inch 1920 x 1200 (Full HD) screen Intel Atom quad-core processor up to 1.83 GHz, 2 GB of RAM Android Kitkat 4.4.2 operating system Stereo speakers with Dolby optimised audio 5 Mp rear facing camera and 1.2 Mp front facing camera 16 GB storage, microsd card slot (up to 32GB) 8 hour battery life Dual band Wi-Fi, micro-hdmi Price: 129

Chromebook Small Laptop Asus C200 Chromebook, Intel Celeron, 2GB RAM, 16GB SSD, 11.6", 199.95 Toshiba Chromebook, Intel Celeron, 2GB RAM, 16GB SSD, 13.3" 199.95 Designed for using web based apps. Must have an internet connection to work. Comparatively small memory. Advantage - no programs to clog the system up. Disadvantage without internet it won t work. HP Chromebook 14, Nvidia Tegra K1, 2GB RAM, 16GB emmc Flash, Wi-Fi, 14" 229.00

Laptops Many options in the market. Choose between Windows based or Apple Prices from 300 to 2,000 Apple MacBook Pro, MD101B/A, Intel Core i5, 500GB, 4GB RAM, 13.3" 899.00 HP Envy TouchSmart Laptop, Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB, 15.6" Touch Screen, 849.95 Windows based, look for; RAM, at least 2GB, better is 4 or 8GB Hard Disk, at least 500GB, better is 1TB Battery life, expect between 3 and 5 hours. Lenovo G50-70 Laptop, Intel Core i7, 8GB RAM, 1TB, 15.6 529.95

Desktop Computers All in one or Tower LG 22CV241-B Chromebase All-In-One Desktop Computer, Intel Celeron, 2GB RAM, 16GB SSD, 21.5", Black 249.99 Lenovo B50-35 All-in-One Desktop PC, AMD A10, 8GB RAM, 1TB, R7 A260 2GB Graphics, 23.8" Touch Screen, Black 599.95 Apple imac MF883B/A All-in-One Desktop Computer, Dual-core Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 500GB, 21.5 899.00 Lenovo H520e Desktop PC, Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM, 1TB, Black & Silver 249.95