Choose a laptop if forms, documents or job applications will be regular tasks: Ofcom found that many smartphone users considered these activities harder on a phone than on a laptop or desktop. A smartphone suits portable communication and shorter tasks, while a tablet offers a larger touch screen; whichever route you consider, test the tasks and accessibility controls you will actually use. A refurbished device can be any of these types, but its condition and remaining software support need separate checks.
If you regularly fill in service forms, apply for jobs or work on documents, investigate a laptop before relying on a phone alone. In its 2022 adult media-use report, Ofcom found that a majority of smartphone users considered forms and document work harder on a phone than on a laptop or desktop.
Choose a device you can get help setting up and using, as well as one that handles your everyday tasks. The UK Government's Digital Inclusion Action Plan and Ofcom's research identify skills, confidence, connectivity and device access as connected barriers.
Try the intended device with your own reading, hearing and input needs before deciding by screen size alone. UK Government guidance notes that phones, tablets and computers often have built-in accessibility features; AbilityNet advises choosing around the individual's needs rather than assuming one setup suits everyone.
Choose it when: Forms, documents and sustained typing are regular tasks; Ofcom's 2022 findings point to the difficulty of doing these on a smartphone.
Trade-off: A laptop is less pocketable than a phone, and its keyboard, weight and accessibility controls still need to suit the user.
Choose it when: Calls, messages and short online tasks while away from home take priority.
Trade-off: A phone may be awkward as the only device for frequent forms or document work, as Ofcom's 2022 findings indicate.
Choose it when: A larger touch screen than a phone is useful for reading, video calls and web access.
Trade-off: Long typing sessions or complex forms may call for a compatible keyboard; test the actual task before treating a tablet as a laptop replacement.
Once the device type fits your main tasks, check how you will use it, connect it and get help with setup. Refurbished describes a device's sourcing and condition, not a separate screen or input method.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Forms and documents | Try a representative form or document on the intended screen. Check typing comfort and whether required websites or software work on that device. | I need to complete lengthy forms or applications without struggling to read and enter information on a small screen; around 33% of consumers would put complex-task capability first. |
| Portable everyday access | Try unlocking the device, reading its screen and using your essential calls, messages, apps and websites. | If staying in touch and handling short tasks while out matters most to me, I need a device I can carry and use comfortably; roughly 25% of consumers would prioritise portable access. |
| Accessible use and setup | Test relevant text, speech, caption and input settings with real tasks. Check compatibility before buying an external input device. | I need to see, hear or control the device in a way that works for me, with help getting started if needed; about 25% of consumers would make accessible use and setup their primary concern. |
| Affordability and continued use | For a refurbished device, confirm its condition and software-support schedule. Check connectivity and local support separately. | Keeping the device usable and connected matters more to me than choosing a particular form factor; around 17% of consumers would put affordability and continuity first. |
In its 2022 adult media-use report, Ofcom found that a majority of smartphone users considered forms and document work harder on a phone than on a laptop or desktop. A phone that handles messages well may still be uncomfortable for your longest tasks.
Before buying, try the three tasks you expect to find most demanding. If forms or attachments are frequent, compare a laptop or test a tablet with a compatible keyboard.
Changing devices later, or adding a tablet keyboard, creates another practical step if the original setup cannot handle those tasks.
The UK Government's Digital Inclusion Action Plan and Ofcom's research identify connectivity, skills and confidence alongside device access. Owning suitable hardware does not by itself establish how someone will get online or learn to use it.
Decide how the device will connect, who can help with initial setup and passwords, and whether a local library or digital-inclusion organisation can offer practical help.
Google says a Chromebook stops receiving ChromeOS and browser updates, including security updates and bug fixes, after its final software update; some app support may also stop.
Get the exact model identifier and check Google's update schedule before purchase, as well as the device's physical condition.
A short remaining update period can make earlier replacement or a change of apps necessary.
A larger display does not settle whether someone can comfortably read, hear, touch or navigate a service. UK Government guidance identifies built-in accessibility features across phones, tablets and computers, but the useful settings depend on the person and task.
Try the relevant text size, captions, spoken output, voice input, keyboard controls and sign-in steps on the intended device. Check accessory compatibility if built-in controls are not enough.
These platform brands are useful references when checking controls and software support; their inclusion does not establish that a particular device will suit you.
Windows laptops are relevant when forms, documents and a conventional computer workflow are central to the decision.
Chromebook devices provide a laptop route for buyers considering ChromeOS and its built-in controls.
iPhone and iPad are relevant when comparing touch-first smartphone and tablet routes.
These laptops, smartphone and tablet offer device types to compare against your main online tasks. Check each model's controls, required services and setup needs rather than treating one category as suitable for everyone.
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Consider this laptop if regular forms and documents make a laptop-style workspace useful.
Its listed configuration includes a 15.6-inch display, Intel Core 5 120U, 24 GB memory and a 1 TB SSD. Check the keyboard layout and try the accessibility controls you need; confirm battery runtime for your intended tasks.
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Consider this laptop when forms and document work call for a physical-keyboard device.
The listed configuration has a 15.6-inch Full HD screen, 8 GB DDR5 memory, a 256 GB NVMe SSD and Windows 11 Home. Its display is listed as non-touch TN and its keyboard as non-backlit; try the screen and input method if either matters to you, and confirm battery runtime for your tasks.
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Consider this 14-inch laptop if you want a laptop route for online forms and documents in a smaller format than the 15.6-inch models shown here.
The named configuration includes Snapdragon X, 16 GB memory and a 512 GB SSD. Check that any required apps or services work on this exact configuration. Its display is non-touch; also confirm the keyboard layout, preferred input method and battery runtime.
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Consider this smartphone if portable communication and short online tasks matter more than frequent document work.
The product name lists a 6.56-inch display, 128 GB storage and 4G dual SIM. Try your essential forms on the phone before relying on it as your only device, and check its accessibility controls and battery runtime for your use.
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Consider this tablet if reading and web access on a touch screen are priorities, but test longer forms before making it your main device.
The named variant has 8 GB memory, 128 GB storage and Wi-Fi. If sustained typing matters, check whether a suitable keyboard is included or compatible; try the accessibility controls and confirm battery runtime for your tasks.
A smartphone can suit communication and shorter tasks, but it may be awkward as the only device for regular forms or documents. Ofcom's 2022 adult media-use report found that a majority of smartphone users considered forms, document work and comparing products or services harder on a phone than on a laptop or desktop. Try your most demanding task before deciding.
Yes: try your actual tasks with the chosen device's built-in controls before deciding whether extra equipment is needed. UK Government guidance says phones, tablets and computers often include accessibility features; test the particular text, speech, caption or input controls you need, then check compatibility for any accessory.
Check the exact model's automatic-update schedule as well as its condition. Google says that after a Chromebook's final software update, ChromeOS and browser updates, including security fixes, stop and some app support may end.
Good Things Foundation says its National Device Bank does not provide devices directly to individuals; it works through local organisations. Ask a participating organisation what help is available locally, rather than treating the scheme as a retail purchase option.
A local Digital Inclusion Hub may offer digital-skills help, devices or data, depending on the organisation and location, according to Good Things Foundation. GOV.UK also says local libraries provide free internet access. Check what your nearby service offers and whether it can help with the setup tasks you expect to find difficult.