In my post Annoying computers, I recounted the problems I was having with my new Dell laptop. Briefly, an intermittent fault causes the trackpad pointer to flutter about uncontrollably, making the computer unusable. Closing the lid for 20 seconds stabilises the pointer but only until it starts fluttering again, possibly after only a few minutes. Two visits to Curry’s and two phone calls to their support line produced no resolution.

Yesterday afternoon, the problem occurred again, several times in quick succession. I decided this time to contact Dell. I worked my way through several pages of useless information on their website and finally found a phone number. My call was answered by a man who asked me to confirm all my details and those of the computer and listened while I described my problem. Did he help? No, he put me through to another number…

My call was answered by a woman who asked me to confirm all my details and those of the computer and listened while I described my problem. Did she help? No, she gave me a phone number to call…

You can probably guess what comes next. The phone number seemd familiar and I looked it up. Yes, it was the number of Curry’s support team. Calling Dell had been a complete waste of time and energy.

Still, I thought that while I was in the mood, I might as well phone Curry support. At least I could let off steam and – who knows? – it might be a case of third time lucky.

In a sense, it was. I politely but firmly explained my complaint, both about the computer fault and being given the runaround by Dell. The support person listened, asked questions and eventually (having placed me on hold three times) informed me that someone would call at my address on the morrow to collect my computer. They would return it on May 12th.

Shortly after we ended the call, a text arrived informing me that my computer would be collected between 7 am and 11 am on the morrow.

Yesterday’s tomorrow is of course today. I didn’t really expect the courier to call at 7 am but, of course, I had to be ready just in case. The box the computer came in is long gone and I have put the laptop in it a strong, though rather large, plastic bag from the laundry. So here I now sit (it is now 8:22), waiting for the doorbell to ring.

I acquired my first computer in the 1980s and have not ever been without one since then – until today, that is. If all goes according to plan, I shall be computerless for a week. Tigger has kindly said that I may use hers in the meantime but I will do so only in case of need. When I first had a computer, possessing one was unusual: only “nerds” had computers. These days, though, so much is done by computer that not to have one places you at a definite disadvantage.

I do have my iPhone, of course, and today’s mobiles are small computers in their own right. Maybe I should pension off the hated Dell laptop and buy an iPad Pro instead or perhaps go the whole hog and replace my Windows machine with an Apple computer.