There are some good reasons for buying a laptop.

The ergonomics of using a laptop for prolonged use are normally much worse than a desktop with separate keyboard, mouse and monitor. It’s a wonderful resource for older people and those with disabilities. AbilityNet may also be able to offer you free IT support at home through its network of volunteers. Personally, I’d go for the silver Cherry KC 6000 Slim wired USB keyboard (£28.66), though there are cheaper wired options.Įither way, consider contacting AbilityNet, a charity that provides specialist advice on technology to “people of any age, living with any disability or impairment”. The wireless Bluetooth options include the Microsoft Modern (£85.76 on .uk) and Microsoft Surface (£71.99) keyboards, plus similar models from Fenifox (£36.99) and Jelly Comb (£29.99). There are lots of flat keyboards that might suit you. Helpikeys works with a variety of keyboard overlays, and people can create custom keyboards with its Layout Builder software. There’s also a programmable membrane keyboard, Helpikeys, that doesn’t have keys at all.

Some USB keyboards have extra-large keys with big letters for children and for grown-ups with vision and other problems. These range from keyboards with flat, island-style isolated keys to full mechanical keyboards aimed at professionals and gamers. With a desktop PC, you can take your pick from dozens of USB and Bluetooth keyboards. With a laptop, you are more or less stuck with the keyboard fitted by the manufacturer, and the quality varies from average to mediocre. The short answer is that you should buy a desktop PC. Your earlier suggestion of getting an external monitor for a laptop sounds like a winner. I would rather have a desktop/tower, if it was possible to get a more sensitive keyboard, but I have Parkinson’s and find that the keys are way too hard to use because they require a deeper push than laptop keyboards. I plan to get a new computer for home use, no games.

Plug keyboard into laptop