Your opinions appreciated.

[ChasF]

Wifey and I have a Windows 10 PC each (old style clunky stuff taking up lots of space), she has a Windows 15” laptop and an iphone, I have an ancient ipad which is getting more out of date by the day and an iphone 7 which I’ll upgrade soon to a 12 or 13. I haven’t used my desktop for 18 months as until recently I’ve been able to do everything I need on the ipad. Wifey uses her desktop a lot - she writes books, biographies and does a lot of family history research. She uses her laptop when were away mostly to write he ‘journal’. She is a very competent and fast typist but has recently discovered she can type perfectly well on a much smaller keyboard such as an apple iPad keyboard.

As we spend a lot of time away these days plus we are working towards selling this house of 33 years to downsize closer to our son who live in Provence, we need to rationalise our tech. which will involve getting rid of the PCs. I think I’ve convinced wifey that all the documents and photos she as on her computer can be dumped onto a couple of usb memory sticks. There’s nothing on my PC that I need to keep. We need to buy two machines that are up to date, portable, can be charged via usb and preferably have usb sockets for occasional connection to memory sticks and other peripherals. Her’s needs a keyboard and I’d like a keyboard. I’m trying to explain to her the workings of the icloud mostly for photos taken on the iphones although I think I’d be happy to use Onedrive if it’s accessible from an iphone?? My son thinks his mum should get a macbook M1 which is available at the mo at 699 euros which is a bit more than I was planning to spend. I’ve seen a MS surface at 299 euros which would need a keyboard added. I’m hoping to get both devices for around 7-800euros.

Sorry for the long post. Any opinions much appreciated

 

[MrC99]

Re the storage stuff I'd use something like Google's Backup & Sync so everything (photos & docs) on the device is automatically saved on Google Drive. I'd be surprised if iCloud/OneDrive et al didn't offer something similar. Everything would then be accessible on every device using that account. A periodic backup to a USB drive (I'd use a SSD in a USB3 enclosure rather than a memory stick as they can fail over time) could also be done for safety/archival purposes.

I've had some good experiences with small wireless keyboards (eg Cherry) which can be swapped over between multiple devices. The Cherry keyboards have quite a good "feel" for touch typing.

Another option which I'd consider is a Chromebook which might actually be good enough, give you all the above, and be in your budget??

 

[er-minio]

Agree with MrC99, avoid backing up to memory sticks, use proper SSD. Safer.

Logitech makes some nice Keyboard that can be connected to multiple devices (3 usually). Their MX keys are very good.
I use a variant of those (Logi Craft, I have a few) and they are very nice to type on.

Due to personal preference, and the computer is a tool, so choose whatever allows you to complete your tasks faster and better, but switching to a Mac for your wife might be a decent option (since you already use iPad/iPhones). The overall device management might result a bit easier for her. Especially if she is used to iCloud, etc.

I had a similar experience with my Mum, many years ago, when I finally switched her from a PC to a Mac at her work at the time.

I would suggest against using OneDrive. I do use it for work and also have a personal Microsoft 365 license where I use OneDrive from time to time. To be polite I'd just say: I don't think it's a smooth experience for less experienced users and soho-type users (small office, home office).

Make your proper considerations (and tests) before committing to an ecosystem.

But, again, what platform to use is ultimately your choice.

 

[Bigcats]

I am a PC guy had numerous tablets (useless for storage) and Laptops and I can honestly say that a Macbook Air is without doubt an outstanding machine. I need you know know I HATE Apple with a passion but the MacBook Air is truly a great bit of kit for general browsing and doing bills etc.

Its very lightweight and almost tablet like but with the power etc of a Laptop without worrying about it being outdated within a year or two as many are

USB charged (USB C) and I use a USB C SSD (1TB) for backing stuff up and Google Drive for cloud backups. Nice size screen which is very clear and bright and the keyboard is brilliant, no fans to worry about, no overheating, nice solid bit of kit and just works every time.

You can still use Chrome for internet so not far away from PC familiarity with an amazing battery life.

I cannot recommend it enough. Just make sure you get the 16GB ram version and a larger hard drive for your needs (but a USB C SSD is cheaper).

 

[sparkplug]

I've always had MacBookPros in the past because I did a lot of graphics stuff and video / audio editing but ended up with a MacBookAir M1 because it's more than capable of doing all that and more.

Absolutely love it.

However, the iPad / Mac / keyboards / apple pencil / etc route is going to be more than your £800 budget even if you're buying refurb and probably even if you're buying second hand.

Chromebooks are a cheap option but when I last looked into them they were cheap for a reason and I ended up getting an HP Pavillion for Mrs S for about £450.

I'd say that you'll struggle to get two devices of decent quality for £800 the pair (unless you go second hand, and that's always a bit of a gamble)

Onedrive on Mac? Yes, it exists. No, I wouldn't use it. Lots of other options available.

I also massively distrust Google so wouldn't put my data in their cloud, but it's a popular solution.

Howerver there are lots of others like sync.com or icedrive which offer monthly subscription and things like pcloud which offers a one time lifetime payment if you prefer doing it that way.

My own solution is a Synology NAS which means I'm not held ransom by a cloud company which might go bust or raise it's prices tomorrow....

You can buy a 2 bay one for £200ish and then add a couple of hard drives from around another £200 up to whatever you want! £200 gets you something like 4TB of storage with a second 4TB drive as a backup.

Again, there are cheaper options and you could probably build a RaspberryPI NAS for half of that but...

The nice thing with Apple + Synology is that you can use the Synology as your Apple TimeCapsule so your laptop gets backed up automatically....

No idea if that helped or not, but I'd probably look at a pair of Windows Laptops and maybe a cloud backup subscription. CAPEX v OPEX as ever...

 

[er-minio]

The MacBook Air (current especially) is a great machine. I tried to convice work to get me a 15” unsuccessfully

I do work on a desktop mac and laptop mac. Everything that is not kept local is on Dropbox (does what it says on the tin) on Pro subscription.

I keep my photos and videos “local” at home and backed up on a NAS. So cannot give much advice on that.

Anything else important/work is backed on the NAS and the on S3, but that’s a fairly different setup from what OP wants advice on.

 

[notoriusb.e.n]

I use a Surface laptop 4 for work. Its pretty solid. Better than my old Lenovo, probably on a Par with my older HP.

If I were going in order of budget, I'd go MS Surface Laptop > HP 840 Series > Lenovo T14. I'm accredited to service and repair MS, HP, Lenovo and DELL, as I do it for work, and I'd rather work on a HP than anything else. Although Dell are better, if you get the right Dell. But they are expensive.

The Lenovo T14 is probably the cheaper option and is OK as long as you don't batter it - its business spec laptop so built a little better than a personal use device. You can get a brand new Gen 1 T14 for £400ish now.

Consider refurbished kit, if you get ex business spec laptops you'll likely get a "just out of warranty" 2/3 year old laptop for cheap as chips (Big IT tends to offload its stock as soon as the warranty expires so they can constantly have the latest and greatest) with a limited reseller warranty. Maybe get lucky and find a nice beefy HP Zbook.

 

[Deleted account 250722001]

I use a Surface laptop 4 for work. Its pretty solid. Better than my old Lenovo, probably on a Par with my older HP.

. I'm accredited to service and repair MS, HP, Lenovo and DELL, as I do it for work,

Question please?
One of the MS security updates keeps failing to install on my surface 4 due to one of the partitions being full- Is there a way to increase that WITHOUT erasing everything and starting again? I have a sense of doom....
error says
2024-01 security update for win 10 version 22H2 for 64x based system KB5034441 download error 0x80070643
sorry to ask as its your rice bowl but after 3 weeks of endless reading and trying to fix it , I'm knackered.

 

[stever1]

I use a MacBook Air with 16 gb of ram and 512 ssd hard drive . It just works.
I expect the M1 chip version will now be coming down in price .
I also use a SSD as backup . However, I also back up to the iCloud. ( think apple version of cloud storage)
I use an iPhone and iPad as well . It all works seamlessly together.
Go for the best you can afford and it’ll last well.

 

[Bigcats]

I use a MacBook Air with 16 gb of ram and 512 ssd hard drive . It just works.
I expect the M1 chip version will now be coming down in price .
I also use a SSD as backup . However, I also back up to the iCloud. ( think apple version of cloud storage)
I use an iPhone and iPad as well . It all works seamlessly together.
Go for the best you can afford and it’ll last well.

That's what I have, M1 with 16gb ram and 512 hard drive

Absolutely fantastic machine (and I honestly dislike pretty much all Apple products)

The battery life still amazes me to this day

Easily my best buy because it's just so good

 

[Mzokk]

Question please?
One of the MS security updates keeps failing to install on my surface 4 due to one of the partitions being full- Is there a way to increase that WITHOUT erasing everything and starting again? I have a sense of doom....
error says
2024-01 security update for win 10 version 22H2 for 64x based system KB5034441 download error 0x80070643
sorry to ask as its your rice bowl but after 3 weeks of endless reading and trying to fix it , I'm knackered.

Something like partition magic to extend the partition into unused space. Used it years ago. Hopefully it still exists?

 

[MrC99]

Question please?
One of the MS security updates keeps failing to install on my surface 4 due to one of the partitions being full- Is there a way to increase that WITHOUT erasing everything and starting again? I have a sense of doom....
error says
2024-01 security update for win 10 version 22H2 for 64x based system KB5034441 download error 0x80070643
sorry to ask as its your rice bowl but after 3 weeks of endless reading and trying to fix it , I'm knackered.

Apols if this is teaching egg sucking but have you tried Windows disk cleanup and asked it to delete old Windows update files??

Copied and pasted from Google (I'm a Linux geek so no Windows here) :-

1. Open the Start menu, type Control Panel, and press Enter.
2. Go to Administrative Tools.
3. Double-click on Disk Cleanup.
4. Select Clean up system files.
5. Mark the checkbox next to Windows Update Cleanup.
6. If available, you can also mark the checkbox next to Previous Windows installations.

 

[Deleted account 250722001]

Yes done that but thank you v much for responding

 

[ChasF]

Thanks for all the replies and useful information. I’ll be looking closely at the MacBook Air and probably sticking with a newer Ipad for my need.

 

[sparkplug]

Might be worth keeping an eye on the Apple Refurbished site if you're planning to go down that route.

The savings aren't huge, but the products are certified and guaranteed.

Alternatively, if you can find some old leased equipment as suggested by @notoriusb.e.n then that will be significantly cheaper.

I've used Solderfix for nearly 20 years in various companies I've worked at. They don't have any MacBookAir's currently listed on their website, but it might be worth calling them to see.

 

[er-minio]

If you want to spend less, first or second generation 13” MacBook Pros M1 are cheap and capable machines.

My work laptop is one of those.

 

[Bigcats]

Might be worth keeping an eye on the Apple Refurbished site if you're planning to go down that route.

The savings aren't huge, but the products are certified and guaranteed.

Alternatively, if you can find some old leased equipment as suggested by @notoriusb.e.n then that will be significantly cheaper.

I've used Solderfix for nearly 20 years in various companies I've worked at. They don't have any MacBookAir's currently listed on their website, but it might be worth calling them to see.

This is what I did..... you get a top quality product with warranty with a decent bit off (unless you can get a Apple discount which is rare as rocking horse shit)

SO absolutely agree with Sparkplug here

 

[notoriusb.e.n]

Yes done that but thank you v much for responding

You can extend your partition if you wish for more available space, using Disk Management - have a look if you have any partitions you can delete or shrink to allow more space on the one you want to extend.

However this relies on there being enough physical unused space left out there on your disk.

It's "OK" for storage purposes but it means your volumes might not be contiguous so the data is spread around on the physical disk - creating a "dynamic" disk.

Think about it as tidying your wardrobe. You might want to fit a new t shirt in there and theres a gap in your missus's side. Do you want to shove it in her bit of the wardrobe, or shove her stuff to one side and slip yours on the end.

Minitool partition wizard is a tool I use for that sort of thing: https://www.partitionwizard.com/resizepartition/extend-windows-10-partition.html

 

[MrC99]

Yes done that but thank you v much for responding

Oh it's not the Jan 2024 security update is it (the one that updates WinRE but needs 250mb space in the WinRE partition)? There's two instructions on how to resolve an out of space issue here. Again apologies if you've already tried this.

 

[Deleted account 250722001]

Thank you both.
It is the windows RE issue ( I think as the msgs are the same).
I'll try the fix and report back