Reply to: Windows laptop for 15 year old daughter - recommendations please

[Ticktock]

Skype installs mucho crapware. Oracle Java installs the Ask toolbar.

Not quite - they want to, and try to sneak things into the install process, they don't actually install those things unless you accept them.

Although I'm pretty sure Skype now comes pre-installed on Win8, so no crapware at all.

[oscarose]

All,
Thanks for your advice, much appreciated.
I have decided to get myself a MacBook Pro while she gets my old Acer.
;-)

good move!

[BjornMorg]

All,
Thanks for your advice, much appreciated.
I have decided to get myself a MacBook Pro while she gets my old Acer.
;-)

[Platypus]

I googled those 3 things. Skype offered a download link on the Google results page, Adobe reader was very obvious and avast/avg were top for the 3rd. Aren't they all "safe" downloads? Or do any of them try to trick you into installing toolbars?

Skype installs mucho crapware. Oracle Java installs the Ask toolbar.

[nomadd]

Wasn't life easier when they wanted a pony?

They can now have both: http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Little-Po.../dp/B0009WHTIA

And no need to shovel sh** with the virtual version. Or take it to the glue factory when it's worn out.

[AtW]

Haswell much better on battery life, but 14nm Broadwell should be out at the end of the year (it's been delayed but looks like will finally get shipped) - with this CPU they might might finally get proper 10 hours usage from laptop...

[d000hg]

Depends on the requirement - obviously it can't do everything. I can write something on the ChromeBook in Google Docs and email the attachment as a Word document (and other options available e.g. PDF) and it's a clean conversion.

Probably, I would say the ChromeBook has been one of my best buys; had enough of Windows security attacks and the like and its lag etc.

Not having to scramble for a charger all the time does make a difference. Ideal for a student I'd say!

Don't the new Haswell CPUs improve battery life anyway? I think ChromeOS is too immature to be relied on as your primary PC just yet, I mean on Linux/OSX you can at least use LibreOffice... I wouldn't want to be writing essays (with strict requirements on footnotes, etc) and lab reports on G-Docs.

[AtW]

Get a Mac - coolness factor much more important...

[Spacecadet]

Wasn't life easier when they wanted a pony?

Not really, the old farts on here would be recommending a Shetland as they are hardier and the one they bought 6 years ago is still going strong on a diet of hay and dust

[DS23]

if only. they now have the ability to source ponies and stabling...

[doodab]

Wasn't life easier when they wanted a pony?

[oscarose]

I googled those 3 things. Skype offered a download link on the Google results page, Adobe reader was very obvious and avast/avg were top for the 3rd. Aren't they all "safe" downloads? Or do any of them try to trick you into installing toolbars?

Which were you offering?

My PC has Google Docs and still requires MSOffice. ChromeBooks have Google Docs and lack the capability for Office.

Depends on the requirement - obviously it can't do everything. I can write something on the ChromeBook in Google Docs and email the attachment as a Word document (and other options available e.g. PDF) and it's a clean conversion.

Probably, I would say the ChromeBook has been one of my best buys; had enough of Windows security attacks and the like and its lag etc.

Not having to scramble for a charger all the time does make a difference. Ideal for a student I'd say!

[d000hg]

Yeah but no but.

Give the "man in the street" a PC and ask him to find and install Skype, Adobe Reader and a free anti virus, see how much tulipe he ends up with. Oh and then get him to do a Java update.

I googled those 3 things. Skype offered a download link on the Google results page, Adobe reader was very obvious and avast/avg were top for the 3rd. Aren't they all "safe" downloads? Or do any of them try to trick you into installing toolbars?

Damn, only opened this thread because I thought it was a swap proposal

Which were you offering?

Look at a Chromebook. £200, no viruses, boots in seconds, good apps, goes on battery for 8 hours, very quick (and get faster with time - (browser upgrades)) and with Google Docs no requirement for MS Office.

My PC has Google Docs and still requires MSOffice. ChromeBooks have Google Docs and lack the capability for Office.

[Flashman]

Downgrade the OS from Windows 8 to Windows 7 if you can.

[oscarose]

Look at a Chromebook. £200, no viruses, boots in seconds, good apps, goes on battery for 8 hours, very quick (and get faster with time - (browser upgrades)) and with Google Docs no requirement for MS Office.