Laptop Recommendations for Senior Citizens

[Point Beer Is Best]

So my parents are both in their sixties and have never owned a computer (other than the Macintosh Performa we had while in middle school). They are looking to purchase a laptop as a means to keep in touch while they are traveling to CA and AZ this winter. Whatever computer they get needs to be pretty user friendly and really only needs to do the basics.

 

What recommendations does the BF nation have for a basic, user-friendly laptop? I should mention that Macs are out of the question since I'm completely unfamiliar with them and I know the first person they will contact with questions will be me. I have an Asus that I purchased last summer that I love, but am curious if others have guided their parents or other novice users towards a specific laptop.

[JoeHova]

I know you said they're out of the question but Macs really are the way to go. A person who knows a little about computers can learn how to use them in 5-10 minutes. I'm not sure how long it would take a computer-illiterate person to pick it up but surely much shorter than it would take for them to become familiar with a Windows machine. I personally much prefer Macs for their much better reliability and much lower maintenance. Really, I would recommend a Mac to anybody buying a computer, not because they are perfect or anything but because Microsoft just doesn't care abut usability or ergonomics.

[JoeHova]

However if you really don't want a Mac, I'll list a few options that Consumer Reports likes (although not as much as they like the Macs).

 

If you are looking for a smaller laptop, they like the Toshiba Satellite T135-S1305 best among non-Macs. It's a 13.3 inch screen and it costs $470. It weighs 3.7 pounds. However, that one doesn't have a disc drive. The next best small laptop is an inexplicably expensive ($1800) HP Envy but after that is the Alienware M11X which has an 11.6" screen, weighs 4.4 pounds and costs $800 but also has no disc drive. The next one does have a disc drive, it's the Toshiba Satellite U505-S2970 which costs $710, has a 13.3 inch screen and weighs 4.9 pounds.

 

If you are looking for a medium sized laptop, they like the Gateway NV59C09U (15.6", $700, 5.4 pounds) and the Dell Studio 15 1558 (15.6" $975, 5.7 pounds) best among non-Macs.

 

For larger laptops, they like the HP Pavilion DV7-4060 US (17.3", $890, 7.2 pounds) and the Dell Studio 17 1749 (17.3", $965, 7.3 pounds) best among non-Macs.

[chadomac]

If your parents are just going to use the computer for email and internet, there's no need to spend twice as much on a mac. I bought my dad a Dell Inspiron 15 this past year for his birthday and for just email and internet... it runs pretty fast and he's had no issues. And it was only $450. The specs aren't great on machines like this but for what they need it for... it seems pointless to spend the extra money on a "suped-up" machine.

[owbc]

I know you said Macs are out of the question, but have you considered an iPad? New computer users are often confused by the ridiculous amount of menus/options/etc on a desktop computer. An iPad would be extremely easy to figure out, and is sufficient for email and Internet browsing. If you are going to go with a PC, I recommend Dell. I know they have been under fire recently in the news, but I am happy with the Dell laptop that I bought in December.

 

Learning how to use a computer is difficult at first, but my 85-year-old Grandma has learned to use the Internet (on a Windows PC) and even has a Facebook account now. So it can be done.

[RockCoCougars]

Get them a big screen laptop and make sure solitaire is installed....seriously.

[GB12]

I would not spend more than $500. Even that's a little pricey for what they need. This $300 Toshiba would work just fine. I'm not sure there will be much difference in ease of use between brands, and if so it probably wouldn't be worth the extra money. Just get an inexpensive laptop and show them around the basics and they'll be set.

[hawing]

Back in the day, I used to date a guy whose parents' motto for shopping was "buy cheap and abuse." As much as I like our new MacBook, we're keeping it mainly at home. If I were traveling extensively, I'd want to buy cheaper so I wouldn't be worried about sinking $$$$ again if it were lost or stolen or dropped.

 

So, I'm not saying your parents are going to abuse a laptop, but I'd employ this family's 1980s mantra if I were you. And since that puts you in Windows territory, make it as secure as possible. The most likely thing you'll be contacted about (tech support wise) is malware type problems.

 

Actually, if you have an Asus and love it, get them one too. Then when they ask you for tech support, you don't have to worry about menus being different or anything.

[1992casey]

I like hawing's suggestion. If you like what you have, then get the same thing for your parents. It'll make helping them out much easier. Set them up with the maintenance, security, and backup programs that you prefer.

 

One caveat with this suggestion is that you might be running Vista and they'll be running Windows 7, but any software provided by Acer is likely to be similar.

 

Keep in mind that novices are very good at hogging system resources. I'd make sure they have 4 GB of RAM simply to avoid any frustration. Also, it'd be nice if the computer could handle a RAM upgrade beyond 4 GB if they hope to use it for a number of years.

 

And do spend the $75 to $100 on a backup drive. And encourage your parents to keep it plugged in whenever it isn't grossly inconvenient to do so.

 

Still, as others have mentioned, Macs are a whole lot simpler. The big difference is that security software doesn't need to be part of the learning curve. OS X's System Preferences is much simpler than Windows' Control Panel. It's even simpler for someone who's actually used to Windows' Control Panel. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif And basic operation (e.g. running programs) would be similar.

 

Also, Apple's Multi-Touch trackpad is tons easier to use than anything in the Windows world. I wonder why PC manufacturers haven't come up with something similar.

 

A Mac is fine with the stock 2 GB of RAM--unless you want to run Windows; then I'd recommend 4 GB.

[pitchleague]

you could always get yourself a new laptop and give your parents your old one that you are very familiar with as it is.

 

A bit off topic, but with all this Mac talk the only question I have is: how well does it play PC games? I know that some games come out with Mac versions but not many. I'm guessing that Mac's are not intended for gamers at all.

[1992casey]

I like the idea of passing on your current notebook. If it has Vista, I'd make sure it's set up for Windows 7, though. It's more likely to behave than Vista.

 

Also, pitchleague's participation in this topic reminds me to make sure your parents know that notebooks need to be placed on a hard service. I believe his parents ran into trouble by constantly having theirs set on a cloth placemat. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif Actually, a "laptop" shouldn't even be run on a lap. Note that Apple refers to its "laptops" as "portables," and other companies call them "notebooks." At home, a "breakfast in bed" tray is nice.

 

pitchleague, I can't speak from personal experience, but it's purported that because newer Macs have powerful graphics cards, they work well with Windows games.

[endaround]

One thing I always stress, if getting a portable computer make sure they enjoy typing on it. And consider paying the $10-20 and getting a cordless mouse to go with it.

[strawbossisevil]

If all they will be doing is sending emails, etc. Why not get them an Ipad? It's much more simple than a Windows/Mac computer. If they want email they just have to press the email button and there it is. One button and they can check the weather. Etc.

 

The less they have to worry about operating systems the better at that age. Simple is better, and the ipad is about as simple as they come.

[endaround]

Well except for having to setup and maintain a wireless network.

[JoeHova]

Well except for having to setup and maintain a wireless network.

Is that usually very difficult? I set mine up several years ago and haven't had to think about it since except to dig out the password when I add a new computer. Maybe mine is low tech or something but it seemed easier than setting up a wired network because I didn't have to run any cables around the house to the various computers.

[MadScientist]

Well except for having to setup and maintain a wireless network.

Is that usually very difficult? I set mine up several years ago and haven't had to think about it since except to dig out the password when I add a new computer. Maybe mine is low tech or something but it seemed easier than setting up a wired network because I didn't have to run any cables around the house to the various computers.

It can be a problem. My router will stop working every few and need to be reset by pulling the power cord. I've heard reports of other routers needing to be reset regularly.

 

As for computer types, Asus (not Acer), Toshiba and Sony have the best reliability. Since you have an Asus, start with them.

 

Just expect a lot of stupid questions and hard to diagnose problems (because they will never tell you what you really need to know to solve the problem).

[GB12]

Well wouldn't he be setting up wifi anyway? If not then he might as well get a desktop.

[Point Beer Is Best]

Yeah, I'll have to set up a wi-fi since the main point is the portability of a laptop at home and being able to take it on their big "Snowbird" adventures.

 

I purchased the Asus last summer, which originally had Vista but had a free Windows 7 upgrade which I took advantage of about 6 months ago. I've never had those "what the heck is this error?" moments running Windows 7 that I've had with other Windows systems. Using Firefox for my browser and AVG security has helped also.

 

I'm leaning towards the "buy cheap & abuse" mantra, hopefully I can find something in as Asus. I'm not sure about the Ipad since I think a keyboard would be a necessity for them. I'm guessing you could get a pretty sweet laptop for the cost of an Ipad anyways.

 

Thanks for all of the responses.

[dadofandrew]

To echo others, I'd just get them the cheapest one at Best Buy, in the $299 range. For e-mail and solitare, what do you need?

[1992casey]

iPads can use keyboards. Apple makes one that physically docks to the unit. Otherwise, bluetooth keyboards will work.

[strawbossisevil]

Casey beat me to it. They can use bluetooth keyboards, or the apple keyboard. Also, if you got one with a data plan they wouldn´t even have to worry about the whole wireless network hassle. (Assuming they live in an area that has 3G).