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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if anyone still uses a laptop/desktop PC

180 replies

Stuckinthis · 04/08/2018 19:18

So DP just booted up my laptop for the first time in months to rearrange something that couldn't be changed by smartphone. I got all excited and told him to leave the PC on as I'd like to do some things - an hour later and I still have no real idea of what it is I want to do that I can't do on a smartphone or tablet.

Now there are things that CAN only be done with a computer (for example I can only pay my CC bill on a PC (which I do at work)). And IF I wanted to play WoW or Sims, that's a PC thing - but I honestly don't think I even have the patience for those except on the odd novel occasion. I game on the Xbox (which is very quick, better quality than my laptop and holds lots of data), I browse and watch videos on my phone, I listen to music on Amazon Music or Alexa so I'm not even sure what the point of my PC even is...

So AIBU to ask if anyone still uses their PC for everyday usage (not including work needs of course)>

OP posts:
Paul2209 · 05/08/2018 02:50

This reply has been deleted

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Skiiltan · 05/08/2018 02:52

Yes. There's very little I can do on a device without a keyboard, so tablet is only used when I can't realistically use a laptop (e.g. on a bus). Phone screen is too small to do anything other that check texts & e-mails, but I hardly ever reply to e-mails on it.

WilyMinx · 05/08/2018 02:56

I use my laptop daily. Have had tablets for mainly reading before but they could never replace my PC. I bought it earlier this year and it takes literally 3 seconds to turn on. I use it for emails, job hunting, banking, downloading videos, gaming, online shopping and to remotely connect to my work computer when I work from home. Plus I love typing on a keyboard.

Sashkin · 05/08/2018 03:22

I can’t edit large documents on my phone. I can’t do statistical modelling on my phone (even my laptop struggles, I tend to go into the university computer room for the really long calculations. The software isn’t installed on my hospital desktop, and the hospital IT desk won’t install it so it’s either my laptop or the university network - I’m employed by both). Lots of webpages don’t work properly on mobiles, even now. My husband writes music on his desktop. A laptop wouldn’t have a good enough sound card, and a phone or tablet would be far too underpowered.

There are lots of things that a phone can’t cope with. And a lot of people don’t have the sharp divide between work and home that you seem to have.

falloutnewvegas · 05/08/2018 06:47

I have a very powerful gaming laptop which I use every day for gaming & streaming.
I prefer gaming on my laptop rather than using my PS4 pro because I feel it's a better gaming experience. You can use mods & I use a brilliant programme for editing videos before I post them on my YouTube channel.
I have to keep my gaming rig clutter free so all my paperwork goes on my MacBook and I use that a few times a week to edit docs, pay bills & print stuff.

TressiliansStone · 05/08/2018 06:59

I do family history, which involves large family tree diagrams, reading lots of scanned old books and documents, and transcribing material from one to the other.

It would be madness to attempt it on a postage-stamp screen.

Mousefunky · 05/08/2018 07:08

I teach so use my MacBook daily during term time. DP has a work laptop he uses most days too. We also use the MacBook to watch stuff in bed sometimes and DC occasionally use it for homework.

DC have an iPad, I’ve never really liked tablets. I use my phone for basic browsing and every day use like that.

Haven’t had a desktop for years- way too bulky.

MrsPear · 05/08/2018 07:11

Laptop - strangely the school chose a site for maths homework that doesn’t work properly on a smart phone.

sulflower · 05/08/2018 07:15

I use my iPad Pro (12.9) daily but we have an iMac and MacBook Pro to use for work etc. we obviously have iPhones too.

Same setup here. IMac rarely gets used. An expensive ornament.

millymae · 05/08/2018 07:19

I've never got on with a laptop, but use my iPad a lot indoors and my phone when out. We are seriously thinking of buying another desktop though to replace the one we have at present because we both prefer sitting at a desk with a keyboard and the larger screen.

Original poster
Stuckinthis · 05/08/2018 08:46

Okay, I think what I’m getting from this thread is that my laptop is massively out of date and takes too long to load or do anything (unlike my phone or laptop which is always just on). Wink

I’m not necessarily saying that I think PCs are pointless but I do wonder if in the next 10 years tablets will replace them for general use. It’s not too difficult to imagine certain applications being easier with touch screen; and for typing a small portable (possibly even fold up) keyboard that can be attached when needed.

OP posts:
ProfYaffle · 05/08/2018 08:55

Always use my laptop. I hardly ever re-boot it, it's perched on the sofa in standby mode so I can just open it up.

As pp have said, I like a big screen and a full size keyboard as I touch type. I like having lots of tabs open and I find mobile sites often don't have the functionality of desk top versions.

We have 2 desktop pcs, each with 2 large screens that dh and the dc use. They like it so they can watch YouTube on one screen while doing other stuff. They also like doing art, filming/editing projects on the big screens.

I don't want a small keyboard - I want a full sized typists one!

5000KallaxHoles · 05/08/2018 09:11

I could honestly live without a laptop at present (if I get a perm teaching post possibly less so) - my desktop - no way. Indeed my old desktop failed a month or so ago and I had a replacement on order within a couple of days - I couldn't live without it.

My yogabook has taken over from where I'd possibly use my laptop more, and I love how portable and easy to use that is -but I'd probably get something like a Microsoft Surface if cash was no object - my yogabook's great but is the Android version so can be frustrating at times. I love just being able to fling it in my handbag and go with it though.

wombat1a · 05/08/2018 09:12

I think in 10 years time it'll be tablets that will have gone the way of the dinosaur. Phones will take over the tablet space for consuming content but for producing it it'll be done on laptops will will have replace almost totally desktops.

I have a 15" laptop coupled to a 24" screen, it goes to sleep when not in use, wakes in less than 3 seconds and is used every day. My phone is pretty much a waste of money as I do almost nothing on it as it's so frustrating to use compared to the laptop.

adaline · 05/08/2018 10:54

but I do wonder if in the next 10 years tablets will replace them for general use.

I actually think it will go the other way. What does a tablet do that a phone doesn't?

mintui · 05/08/2018 11:00

Laptops (mac specifically) all the way. We have 4 newish tablets that basically never get used.

Willow2017 · 05/08/2018 11:11

I orefer my pc to phobe

reeldoop · 05/08/2018 11:13

I agreed, phone and laptop is all people need. Tablets are too in betweeney.

MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic · 05/08/2018 11:15

^ but I do wonder if in the next 10 years tablets will replace them for general use.

I actually think it will go the other way. What does a tablet do that a phone doesn't?^

I 100% agree with this. Quick discussion with the family agrees that phones now days are fine for mobile use and they'd rather use laptops or the desktop at home. The only advantage they had for tablets was that it would be easier to play mobile games on as the screen was bigger...

Willow2017 · 05/08/2018 11:18

Arrrghh see what I mean?

Much easier much faster as i can touch type really quickly without mistakes unlike the infuriating tiny keyboard on my phone.
Less scrolling less fuss.
Also logging on things on my phone is a pia and if you accidentally touch the wrong letter etc you are driven mad.
I do use my phone but when at home i do everything on my pc as a rule its do much easier just havent needed it this am hence on.my phone. And i dont get a million extra.. between.words!😠😠😠
Dont have tablets or laptops either i dont need them!

Etymology23 · 05/08/2018 12:50

My laptop has a solid state drive and boots from shut down in 12 seconds. A proper keyboard is faster than both a laptop and a tablet for touch typing and data manipulation.

GreenMeerkat · 05/08/2018 12:55

I have a lovely MacBook that I bought when I was about to start my PGCE (until they completely screwed me over with childcare funding so never happened). It's rarely used. I downloaded the sims a few months ago and played that for a bit but it's just more convenient to do most things on my phone. I can even print from my phone now.

Will be keeping it for when DC need to start doing homework as it will be useful for that.

HushabyeMountainGoat · 05/08/2018 13:01

I use mine for anything that requires a fair amount of typing. Mainly work, letters, completing forms etc.

I bought a laptop a couple of years ago for my Sims 4 fix and it runs really well. I couldn't imagine playing it on console, especially building.

scaryteacher · 05/08/2018 13:04

Have a desktop, laptop and Kindle fire. My phone is not a smartphone (deliberately). I am far more comfortable sitting at a desk for the PC, or a table for the laptop/Kindle Fire. I can have multiple tabs open on the desktop; can see the keyboard, and can resize the text on the screen if I need to. Much more comfortable curled up in my desk chair reading the paper with a mug of tea in the morning, than trying to peer at a small screen.

VickyEadie · 05/08/2018 13:09

Laptop - I cannot bear trying to write on a touchscreen. I also have to do a lot of writing of lengthy documents for my work and couldn't conceive of trying to do it on a tablet.

I do use my phone for internet, etc, but only when not in reach of my laptop.