New gadgets or not?
Discussion
OK guys, I'm not into gadgets nor technically clued up. I currently have an old Nokia C3 mobile, costs about £11 per month (100 mins/500txts) and an Acer Aspire 5551 laptop, both work OK and do the job but I'm considering a smart phone and/or a tablet (ipad?) to bring myself into the 21st century. I spend a few months each year in Australia so it would be good to have a device to use whilst there but would a 4G USB from Telstra stuck in the laptop do the job?
http://www.telstra.com.au/broadband/mobile-broadba...
People I've spoken to say they couldn't do without their smartphone/tablet but I'm struggling to see the advantages given the cost of the kit added to the increased tariff charge.
http://www.telstra.com.au/broadband/mobile-broadba...
People I've spoken to say they couldn't do without their smartphone/tablet but I'm struggling to see the advantages given the cost of the kit added to the increased tariff charge.
If you're going smart, then I would suggest a smart phone rather than a tablet. At least you can combine the phone and emailing into one device (assuming you can do without a laptop?).
Three have some reasonable deals, but more importantly do 'at home abroad', which means you can use your contract allowance while in certain foreign countries, Australia being one.
Might be worth popping into a Three store and seeing what they can do.
Standard contract with phone and sensible allowance is circa £30 a month.
Three have some reasonable deals, but more importantly do 'at home abroad', which means you can use your contract allowance while in certain foreign countries, Australia being one.
Might be worth popping into a Three store and seeing what they can do.
Standard contract with phone and sensible allowance is circa £30 a month.
I have worked in IT for 20 years but resist the temptation to get on the gadget gravy train. Buy a brand new ACME S5 now, the S6 promising the earth will be out out in 10 months.
As already suggested, work out if there is any benefit to you.
I did go for a Nexus tablet when they first came out because it was small, cheap at £200 and it still does everything I need - i.e. it turns on in a second, battery lasts many hours, and lets me use Skype/email/calendar/contacts/Internet.
My Samsung phone was £10 brand new, and is now three years old. Most important for me, the battery still lasts two or three weeks where most smartphones need charging every night. Also I have dropped it many many times with no need to spend ££ fixing a smashed screen.
As already suggested, work out if there is any benefit to you.
I did go for a Nexus tablet when they first came out because it was small, cheap at £200 and it still does everything I need - i.e. it turns on in a second, battery lasts many hours, and lets me use Skype/email/calendar/contacts/Internet.
My Samsung phone was £10 brand new, and is now three years old. Most important for me, the battery still lasts two or three weeks where most smartphones need charging every night. Also I have dropped it many many times with no need to spend ££ fixing a smashed screen.
Interesting post.
A bit like the OP I resisted the need for a smart phone for many years. I bought a Nokia 8800 Arte sim free at around xmas 2007 and used it ever since on a cheap sim only deal. However she developed a fault and it wasn't going to be easy to fix her so I looked around and thought about a smart phone.I simply took the plunge and after some research, advice from friends narrowed it to 3 types, Apple I phone/ Samsung/ Nokia Luma/ Sonyericsson experias. In the end I went for the I phone 5s.This isn't another fan boy post it just felt right and does what I need. I liked the samsungs though.I was going to go Tesco but Virgin actually offered me a realistic deal that beat the Tesco one. Phone arrived Saturday and I am getting the hang of it. The banking apps are handy as is the e bay one.
A bit like the OP I resisted the need for a smart phone for many years. I bought a Nokia 8800 Arte sim free at around xmas 2007 and used it ever since on a cheap sim only deal. However she developed a fault and it wasn't going to be easy to fix her so I looked around and thought about a smart phone.I simply took the plunge and after some research, advice from friends narrowed it to 3 types, Apple I phone/ Samsung/ Nokia Luma/ Sonyericsson experias. In the end I went for the I phone 5s.This isn't another fan boy post it just felt right and does what I need. I liked the samsungs though.I was going to go Tesco but Virgin actually offered me a realistic deal that beat the Tesco one. Phone arrived Saturday and I am getting the hang of it. The banking apps are handy as is the e bay one.
OP, my Lumia 520 costs about the same every month and adds email. I do think that is a worthwhile upgrade. The camera is handy and HERE Maps is good too. I don't do a lot of surfing on it.
I do have a tablet; I develop apps for it as a hobby. I did take it on holiday to NZ and surf at WiFi hotspots. That works well, but mostly it is a "shiny shiny" thing if I am honest.
I do have a tablet; I develop apps for it as a hobby. I did take it on holiday to NZ and surf at WiFi hotspots. That works well, but mostly it is a "shiny shiny" thing if I am honest.
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