What's your favourite piece of technology, and how has it improved your life?
It would have to be my computer, really – if I'm allowed to say that. Does that count as technology? Obviously, in terms of writing, word processing is a pretty huge advancement on pen and paper. And in terms of research, the internet is rather too large a resource, but it's there. And we have email and so forth, and you can play games on it. So all those things have improved my life and ruined it at the same time.

When was the last time you used it, and what for?
I used it this morning to write an article on my five favourite horror villains.

What additional features would you add if you could?
Well, I would like to get rid of the tyranny of the qwerty keyboard. If you could get a keyboard that you could custom design yourself, it would be a lot easier to use. The qwerty keyboard was originally designed to slow typists down, and we've been stuck with the bloody thing ever since.

What always frustrates you about technology in general?
That I just don't have the time to work out how to use it properly.

Is there any particular piece of technology that you have owned and hated?
I've been through quite a few crappy digital phone systems in the house – they mostly don't work. I've been through a lot of crappy printers, too, where it's been cheaper to throw the printer away and buy a new one. Actually, most technology's rubbish, isn't it?

If you had one tip about getting the best out of new technology, what would it be?
Find somebody who knows how to use it, or has been using it a lot, and spend a few days with them. Luckily, I have a very good guy who comes around and sorts out my computers for me.

Do you consider yourself to be a luddite or a nerd?
I wish I was a nerd, really. I do like technology, I do like games – I do spend far too much time on my computer – but I wish I was more of a nerd who read all the manuals and worked out how to do things.

Mac or PC, and why?
Mac. I've always been a Mac fan, just because it's so much easier to use. Microsoft PCs spend all their time trying to catch up with Apple. Mac is much more seductive. The only down side is the gaming.

Do you still buy physical media such as CDs and DVDs, or do you download? What was your last purchase?
I do, because at places like HMV you can buy DVDs and CDs so cheaply now. I do like physically having the things. I recently bought a whole pile of stuff – such as the original Planet of the Apes. The problem I find with downloading is that I really don't want to watch TV and films on my computer.

Robot butlers – a good idea or not?
I do spend a lot of time shouting at technology, like the satnav, and I couldn't imagine having a robot butler because you'd spend too much time shouting at it. You'd probably end up kicking the thing to death.

What piece of technology would you most like to own?
A wazoolie – I don't know what it is, but they're brilliant, apparently. It's new, it's shiny and everybody will want one.

• The Dead by Charlie Higson, the second in his zombie series for teenagers, is published by Puffin on 16 September