For two years, the exercise of checking out laptops at electronics stores has been a daunting task. Every weekend there are ads promising great deals and specials, but little advice on performance and quality. Shop clerks just past puberty do their best to persuade you that one is absolutely the best when you know it promises to be nothing more than expensive junk.

Yes, computers can be classified as junk. About a year ago someone convinced me to buy a nice looking HP brand. As a writer who spends hours every day typing at the keyboard, I had hardly brought this particular machine into the house when something strange happened. The letters on the keyboard began to fade.

By the time the laptop was two months old, about 10 keys were missing their identifiers. But that was only part of the problem. The memory within its abyss of mysteries was also failing me. The store refunded my money with the advice that it would return said product to the manufacturer.

With the money returned, a Samsung smartphone caught my eye and has given me hours of fun ever since. The camera it has is the main attraction and, as an artist, photography is one of my passions.

I’m still looking for a new laptop, you often see me browsing the stores when I get the chance, but I haven’t found one that looks promising yet. Fortunately, my little Macintosh Air has served me well and may be the brand indicator for my next purchase in this area.

So far I have tried several brands and by far the best has been the Sony that I bought about 5 years ago. Unfortunately, it has been knocked to the ground at least twice by kittens jumping on my work area. However, apart from the case which is now biased, it still works. That would have to be a strong recommendation, but the Company has stopped producing them.

These are the points that one needs to know and none of the companies give advice.

1. What happens when the laptop is dropped?

2. How big is the keyboard?

3. Will the keys stay in position since several of my other laptops have come loose?

4. What is the normal life of it in general conditions, apart from the guarantee?

5. What are the replacement conditions for one that fails, other than store policy?

In the last 20 years, I have used at least 7 different computers. They include PCs and laptops. Tablets are not my thing and a laptop allows me to sit comfortably in my recliner to write. Manufacturers should pay attention to my needs, as they are surely representative of a large number of consumers.