Ever since I first encountered computers as a child, I have been a little fascinated by the way so much time can be taken up sitting using one little electronic device. Since the early days of playing Manic Minor and Daly Thompson’s Decathalon on the ZX Spectrum, and learning how to run a simple programme from a (large) floppy disk on the school’s BBC Computers, computers of one sort or another have over the years found a definite part in my life.
At University I wrote essay after essay on the old workhorse of a computer I had acquired, always surrounded by my scrawled notes and numerous text books – this was the days before the internet – and often thought how lucky I was.
Image Source: flickr.com/photos/soupmeister/5235790747
I remember the first “portable” computer I encountered – a great hunk of a thing Dad had brought home from work and proudly placed on the dining room table. I could barely lift it! It had a built in amber screen and keyboard attached by a curly wire, and if I remember correctly only operated when connected to the mains. Dad spent hours working at this beast, no doubt planning his own world domination!
How quickly things change!
I honestly can’t remember when I first encountered the internet, yet now I use it on a daily basis. I almost envy kids today who are growing up in the Internet age, with so much information right there at the touch of a button or a click of a mouse. How lucky are they being able to use sleek modern laptops at home, with so many additional resources right there in front of them! I can only imagine just how different their experiences of school and University will be from mine?
I wholeheartedly encourage my kids to use computers, and hope I have taught them how to stay safe whilst doing so. There are two laptops in my house – neither of which I often get a chance to use – and rather than a big static pc, I really believe laptops are the best choice for home. They are small, they are portable. You can access information no matter where you are in the house.
Our laptops
We don’t have super whizz banging laptops, we have laptops that are just perfect for us. One, affectionately known as the little computer, is an nSpire 14 2350 from Novatech which has been well and truly taken over by the little people. It spends most of its life upstairs, where they surf the net, watch videos, use social media and use it for their school work. I like the fact that its little… and portable… and usually out of my earshot so I do not have to listen to the soundtracks of youth that I’d rather not!
Image Source: flickr.com/photos/casschin/4254982767
Our second laptop, purchased on the success of the little computer, is an nSpire Pro 2450. It was an investment costing just under £650 in the end, but one which we are incredibly pleased with. It has the most amazing graphics, is super speedy and has not once disappointed. It is probably a little too high spec for what we really needed, but it is being used more and more, we enjoy using it and did not spend out £1000 on the Dell equivalent, so it is the perfect laptop for my home.
Article written by Steph who has two kids, two cats and two laptops at home. Both laptops were purchased from Novatech, leading UK supplier of all things IT.
These days’ things are changing ever so quickly and as a result of which people need to keep themselves updated with the latest gadgets and tools. Laptop is among one such tools and it can truly be called as the face of the changing world.