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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if you think people use laptops less now?

42 replies

RovioNicecream · 27/03/2023 13:02

I moved to a new flat in 2009 - got my first ever home internet connection - was late to the party lol - a laptop and printer. I moved to a new flat again in 2016 and again got a new laptop, internet connection and brand new printer. Looking at the printer now I bought in 2016, it's occurred to me I've never used it! I suppose I only got one in 2016 as I'd got one in 2009 and maybe considered it part of the 'tradition' of moving into a new place.

I've been thinking for a while actually, is it just me or is it that people don't seem to use laptops as much as they did in 2009? Now it seems everyone is on their Smartphone 24/7.

OP posts:

mamabear715 · 27/03/2023 13:05

I don't have (will NOT have) a smartphone & be at everyone's beck & call. I still have a PC & love it. I did have a laptop but it didn't last.. lost it's charge until eventually it was slow while charging. Wouldn't have another.
Printers? The devil's work. I have to have one but they are evil creatures with a mind of their own.

Original poster

RovioNicecream · 27/03/2023 13:07

mamabear715 · 27/03/2023 13:05

That's good resolve actually not to have a Smartphone - but you must feel you're in a minority. Not a bad thing btw - in fact quite the opposite!

OP posts:

GreenistheGrass · 27/03/2023 13:07

Of course people use laptops, I don't know a single working person who doesn't use a laptop every day (unless they have a job that doesn't involve using computers or the internet at all). Students all have laptops, unless they're from severe poverty.

I see people using laptops on the train, tube and in coffee shops constantly.

Printers are a different thing. Most people don't have home printers anymore.

Original poster

RovioNicecream · 27/03/2023 13:08

GreenistheGrass · 27/03/2023 13:07

I see people using laptops on the train, tube and in coffee shops constantly.

Printers are a different thing. Most people don't have home printers anymore.

I'm more used to people using tabletop PCs at work

OP posts:

PleaseJustText · 27/03/2023 13:09

I use a laptop all the time but I threw our printer out a few years ago. It was too expensive to replace the ink

mamabear715 · 27/03/2023 13:10

@RovioNicecream DEFINITELY in the minority re lack of smartphone. Drives me nuts when companies send links to my dinophone. It's just assumed that everyone & their dogs has one. :-(

StopFeckingFaffing · 27/03/2023 13:12

I use a laptop for work (supplied and owned by employer) but I rarely use it for anything personal and just use my phone or iPad for email and Internet use

My iPad is quite old now and although it is very useful I'm not sure I can justify replacing it when it breaks

CoalCraft · 27/03/2023 13:13

I have both a laptop and a big chunky desktop at home. I much prefer the latter and only really used to use the former when travelling, but I do find the laptop useful now for while DC contact naps.

For gaming though the desktop is required, and it's much better for writing too.

I have a smartphone but find browsing the web on it annoying. Never had a tablet.

Schmutter · 27/03/2023 13:16

I use a laptop every day as does every member of my family.

Never use a printer anymore. Have no need to use the home one which just gathers dust, and work have a strict policy on printing. Seems incredible that as recently as just before the pandemic, we were using so much paper at work. Now we are completely paper free.

SallyWD · 27/03/2023 13:17

I think people are using laptops more. At my workplace they're phasing out the use of PCs and giving every laptops instead. I like my smart phone but find it much easier to do many online things on the laptop - such as the weekly grocery shop, booking tickets for things, answering emails etc. I even prefer to do whatsapp on the laptop

FiveHundredDucksWentOutOneDay · 27/03/2023 13:17

Nah, I use a laptop all the time. Every day. I haven't owned a printer in probably 6 or 7 years...

I do have a desktop; but it hasn't been plugged in for about 8 years, so I may as well not have one! It'll be well out of date now.

Also have a smartphone.

CornishGem1975 · 27/03/2023 13:21

Love my laptop, I have a PC for work and a Mac for home. Couldn't be without it.

cocksstrideintheevening · 27/03/2023 13:26

I think the opposite tbh

Oysterbabe · 27/03/2023 13:28

I use a laptop at work every day, everyone at my large company does. The desks just have screens to hook the laptop up to.

IAteAllTheTomatoes · 27/03/2023 13:30

My laptop is for work.

When my personal one broke, I never replaced it as my tablet or phone will do the same thing.

If I had to hazard a guess, most people here are posting from a tablet/phone.

CantFindTheBeat · 27/03/2023 13:34

What industry are you in, OP?

"I'm more used to people using tabletop PCs at work"

Custardbanana · 27/03/2023 13:36

I don't have a laptop or tablet to use at home otherwise I would sit on the sofa and mindlessly scroll with the TV on in the background so I've restricted myself to 1 screen at a time. So I either sit at my home PC or use my smartphone when I'm out and about. I have a work laptop that I use at home because I wfh but it's connected up to the second monitor so it doesn't move from the desk unless I'm travelling to the office. Never owned a printer I always use the library for that. Much cheaper than buying one and all the associated ink to go with it.

emmathedilemma · 27/03/2023 13:42

we all have laptops at work and use them daily but I haven't used my home one for years. I use the ipad for most things and occasionally use my work laptop for personal use, so I guess if I didn't have that I'd keep my personal one up to date.

daimtheman · 27/03/2023 13:42

I use a laptop daily for work.
I don't know anyone who uses a computer regularly for their job that still has a PC.
Most of my friends have hybrid working now if they have office or community type jobs so they all have laptops.

I mostly use my phone for everything else but have a personal laptop when needed.

Long emails, Tesco shopping and job interviews mainly.

happysingleversary · 27/03/2023 13:44

Anyone who works from home uses a laptop probably. I couldn't live without mine, it brings in 100% of my income.

CrunchyCarrot · 27/03/2023 13:55

I only use a laptop. However recently (a few days ago) I finally bought a smartphone. Not to use to go on forums, social media etc, but because without it I couldn't get certain apps (like WhatsApp) on my laptop.

I would never be able to manage doing online shopping etc on a smartphone! Just too small.

YewandOak · 27/03/2023 14:01

I have a laptop but can't remember the last time I used it,much prefer my desktop.Rarely use my smartphone for internet stuff except banking and maybe the mumsnet app

RaraRachael · 27/03/2023 14:02

I use my laptop all the time. I like to type messages to friends on it with FB messenger as I can't be arsed tapping them out on Whatsapp. I still print out concert tickets and boarding passes. It's all very well having everything on your phone - till something goes wrong with it or you can't get a connection.

Ponoka7 · 27/03/2023 14:07

Everyone I know has a laptop. I'm considering getting one to watch stuff on, so I'm in the same room as my DP when he's watching football. My DD games on her's. There's still a big demand for gaming laptops. My DP is thinking of a PC but only because he uses his current out-of-date LT in the spare room and the same spec for a PC is cheaper than a laptop.

SpinningFloppa · 27/03/2023 14:09

Just bought my daughter a lap top. Might get a printer as hate going to the library to print things.

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