Really, I am not a computer snob. I don’t care what brand it is, what it looks like . . I just want it to work and I want to like it. I want to like the feel of the keyboard. I want to like the way the mouse buttons work. I don’t even care so much about speed because our internet is so darned slow, I’m usually waiting on it anyway.
Obviously, I spend too much time on the computer. I’m such a creature of habit that when I get a computer I like, I want it to last forever. I had one I loved and it didn’t last forever. Same way with my tablets. My old iPad is limping badly. It hardly has any battery life and will not work long if it isn’t plugged in but I use it all day. My knitting patterns are on it. My recipe app is on it. I got a Samsung tablet – it isn’t my old iPad. I got a full size iPad . . I’m still using my old mini iPad that I love. I hope it lasts forever but I know it won’t.
One trip to MO and Addie came sailing up in my lap when I was holding the notebook and that started its demise. Then a few too many crumbs got under the keys and then a couple of the keys had almost totally quit working and while trying to clean underneath the keys, one went flying off and never would stay on again. Vince ordered a new keypad. Did not like that at all. Vince found another keypad and it was a little better so Vince decided it was time for a new laptop. He ordered one. I thought a touch screen would be nice. New laptop arrived and I used it a day or so but didn’t like it so I put it aside and went back to the old one.
Then a part broke and another part broke .. nothing lasts forever. I was forced to start using the new laptop. I used it a few weeks and finally said, Vince . . I just do not like this notebook. He used it for a while and said “I don’t like it either!” So . . we went shopping where I could touch them and feel them and hopefully find one I liked. You never know til you use it a while though. We got one, I used it for a few weeks and didn’t like it so much either. The mouse button you hold down didn’t seem to “grab”. If I was highlighting a paragraph, maybe only half the paragraph would get highlighted. Vince said “You need an external mouse.” NO! Then he said “They just don’t make them like they used to!” That’s sad but I guess everyone else is happy with them. I just want my old laptop back. I want it to work right and not have broken parts!” Yes, I sound a bit like a 2 year old.
Even though I didn’t like the first new laptop, I did like the touch screen and after getting used to using it, not having it on the second new laptop was kind of frustrating.
Yesterday Vince was shopping at lunch and came across some pretty nice laptops on clearance so he called and asked me if I wanted one. It has the touchscreen and a few other features that made him think I might like it. Vince spent most of yesterday evening updating the computer and getting it set up. I sure hope I like it because if I don’t, I’m afraid I’m out of luck. I don’t think he’s going to be too happy if I say “I don’t like this one either!”
Now I’ve used it for a few hours and while I’m not ready to say this is my “forever” computer, I like it so far!
HP Envy x360
The new computer is an HP Envy x360. I’ve read the reviews and it probably isn’t a computer for gamers. I love the keyboard. That has been the first thing I disliked about the other two. The mouse buttons seem steady and don’t “let go” before I’m ready for them to let go.
HP Envy x360
What I like most are:
- Touchscreen. I really didn’t think I would miss that after having only used it a few weeks but I love it and am glad to have it back.
- Tablet. It folds back and is like a tablet. It’s a big tablet and not something that’s going to take the place of my mini iPad but sometimes I’m sitting at the computer and find a recipe I want to try and I have to email it to get it on my tablet to take it to the kitchen. Now I can just unplug the laptop, fold it up like a tablet and carry it to the kitchen.
Tablet
I think I’m going to like this one!
carol fun says
I know exactly what you mean…the feel of the keyboard is very important to me… I have an old Dell and it is slowly dying (won’t recognize my camera or my printer or play a dvd) but I don’t want to give it up… my son has an HP and I can’t type on it… I don’t look at the keys on my Dell ( those old touch typing classes served me well) but somehow on the HP my fingers can’t find the keys and I end up typing gibberish … I know it is inevitable but I don’t look forward to a new laptop… that rant finished I am curious about the laptop/tablet configuration… let us know how it goes.
treadlemusic says
I totally concur. The keyboard is ‘key’! I have a Lenovo…..would NOT buy another one!!! A tablet won’t work cuz I really need an internal hard drive/memory. A wireless mouse has become my friend….when it’s working! Yes, my laptop folds back and is touch screen….Windows 10 is running and I really don’t like it but……………… sigh…….am, also, in the market for another…..but what!!!?????? Hope yours works out……keep us posted as I’m shopping……….
Sherrill says
I have an HP ProBook and LOVE it!! It’s lighter than my other (which was one of the things I wanted) and a little smaller as well. Both a plus in my book. Hope you wind up loving it!
Diana G says
I have a Toshiba laptop(had one for years and it worked like a charm, just not happy with this Toshiba), Was spoiled by the Dell towers when we had those. IF I had to do it all over again-I would get a Dell laptop. I really like my Samsung Tablet and I have an IPad 1st series (used that in the hospital when my husband had a heart attack and that is when we found out he has coronary artery disease (cad). Loved the ipad then Hubs decided I needed a Samsung Tablet which has taken me quite a bit of time to get used to, but I surf very easily on the Tablet.
Lee Young says
My first laptop was a Dell loaded with XP. I’ve never adjusted to the thumb-mouse so use a wireless external mouse. The electric cord port is failing and I have to use tape to hold it firmly. If it falls out, the computer shuts down because the battery holds no charge. About two years ago, DH got me a Lenovo with Win-8. THAT was an adjustment! It has a larger screen, and the number pad on the side which I love having, and I still use a wireless mouse. The thumb-mouse on this thing is SO sensitive that I had to cover it with an index card and tape it down, and it still does unexpected stuff when I accidentally hit it. The keypad is pretty flat which has taken some getting used to as well. I suppose I’m more happy with it than not. I’m with you, when I find a product I love, I want it to last forever and to work forever just like it did when it was brand new. My old Dell still has my genealogy on it so until I can get it transferred (reworking as I go), I’m praying it doesn’t totally die!
Terri Schanz says
After 40+ years of working as a medical transcriptionist and touch typing very fast I CANNOT use a laptop keyboard or mouse. I have a wireless full-sized keyboard and mouse that I use with my laptop.It makes for a little extra baggage when traveling with it, but a lot less frustration when I’m using it away from home!! I don’t think I have ever used the laptop keyboard. I’m kind of hard on keyboards. I wear the letters off the keys in about 3 months. I don’t need them, so I keep using the keyboard without the letters, but after about a year or so, the keyboard needs to be replaced. I’d hate to have to replace my laptop every year because I wore out the keyboard!! , I am pretty particular about the “feel” of my full sized keyboard though, and I have to actually go somewhere and try it out to make sure it’s going to work for me. I wish computers would last forever too. Once I get it just the way I like it, I don’t want to change. If it does what I need it to do, I don’t see why I need to upgrade software or hardware all the time and it’s frustrating to me that every time I turn around there’s another update for something or other that I have to install!!
Angie Kiker says
Judy, I have the model HP Envy similar to yours, only I wish mine was a 360 so the screen would flip back and it would become a tablet. Mine doesn’t. I’ve been tempted to buy one, and sell or give away the one I have. However, I’m running windows 8.1, and don’t want 10 if I can help it. My Envy has a disk drive, and those are a bit difficult to find nowadays. I do like having that. I like the clarity of the touch screen a lot—I’m not sure about the key board though as I would have preferred not having the numerical pad on the right as it off centers the alpha keys and seem awkward at times. I’ve had the Envy going on 2 yrs, and not had any problems with it. So, enjoy your new laptop!