What's your favourite piece of technology, and how has it improved your life?
My Mac laptop. I think before that I had big desktop PC, and like everybody you'd work from home and not take anything with you. I travel loads, and I've written three books on my laptop. It's great to be able to keep in touch with people on the go, and it's made me a mobile worker.
When was the last time you used it, and what for?
This morning – I picked up my emails, played on Twitter and looked at the football news on the BBC.
What additional features would you add if you could?
I would like there to be something that if I'm writing a recipe – so if I type in 25g, say – it will automatically convert it to imperial and American as well. Same with oven temperatures.
Do you think it will be obsolete in 10 years' time?
Yes, I do – undoubtedly. While my iPhone is not a great phone, that will be our life – we'll all carry little compact computers.
What always frustrates you about technology in general?
Technology-speak – I'm a compete and utter neanderthal. I think that Apple have made the language of tech much more straightforward, but I still find that things do still sometimes fly over my head, and I'm completley lost.
Is there any particular piece of technology that you have owned and hated?
I had a Sony Ericsson phone that I really despised. I had 12 months of having to endure this terrible phone – every process you wanted to do was so long winded, it was a nightmare. I do quite hate satnavs as well.
If you had one tip about getting the best out of new technology, what would it be?
Patience is a virtue. We all do that thing where you get a new piece of kit and you want to be an expert straight away.
Do you consider yourself to be a luddite or a nerd?
A luddite, I would say. Or given the choice of a midway point, I veer toward the luddite.
What's the most expensive piece of technology you've ever owned?
The first Mac computer I bought was about £1,800 quid, and as slow as old tar. I've never bought really expensive tellies or anything like that.
Mac or PC, and why?
It's always been Mac – I'm a real style over content type of person. I bought my first Mac about 12 years ago. I liked it because it was pretty.
Do you still buy physical media such as CDs and DVDs, or do you download? What was your last purchase?
I do a bit of both, really. I tend to download tracks, but I still buy CDs. I've just got rid of all my vinyl, which was a very sad day, but I don't have a turntable any more. I'm a bit of a collector at heart. If it's a band I like, I want the physical item. The last CD I bought was The Gin Blossoms' new album, and the last DVD was the Will Ferrell Collection.
Robot butlers – a good idea or not?
I do like the idea of them – robot butlers and hoverboards are things that everybody will need at some point.
What piece of technology would you most like to own?
I do want an iPad at the moment, but I'm resisting. With my laptop and my phone, I'm fairly sorted, really.
• Simon Rimmer co-hosts and cooks each week on BBC2's Something For The Weekend, 10am Sundays
