PC for an old guy?

Big screen like a 23" Samsung for around R2K.

Some small Atom-powered box will do fine as the main unit. Also wouldn't get something that runs hot in a small chassis and scares the living hell out of you went the fans kick in. Something small which can sit on the desktop so no reaching down if he wishes to pop in a CD/DVD.

Wireless easy-synching mouse which is easy to grip and gives minimal wrist strain and has a easy recharge station. Avoid those with the plethora of buttons.

A keyboard with scissor-switch keys. I have a Logitech dinovo set @ home and after using them I cannot use keyboards with normal height keys anymore. No joint strain and minimal finger movement to get the job done. Can't believe for years I was actually reaching "over" keys. At the office I have another logitech with the same keys. Not sure if they still sell them, but it was only R200 about 2-3 years ago. I can find out if they're still available if you are interested.

Nothing should come across as being daunting just by looking at it.

Stick with XP or a form of linux/ubuntu which doesn't put too much stuff on the screen and won't require him to figure out shells. Vista is too complex visually.

Then spend the rest of the money on a Herman Miller Aero chair. :) Best PC accessory I own.
 
Also find a interesting title on usenet.

"Computing for the Older and Wiser Get Up and Running on Your Home PC"

by Wiley Publishing. Could upload it somewhere for you.

He could have a read through that. No over technical stuff, just the goods to get him up and running on the PC.
 
Was there any doubt here guys??? Had the same dilemma for my 70 year mom. Wanted to get onto the internet ... never used a PC in her life. Then she wanted a laptop ... so I got her a MacBook, with a 22" Samsung. She's never looked back ... all works fine. A year down the line and she is Skyping, surfing the internet and writing a book (typing it in Word). I am impressed. Never had to worry about viruses or crashing. The setup was a bit expensive in my opinion, but she wanted it.

Try the iMac 24" as was previously suggested.
 
Ah, yes, he did say money is no object. Ok, I second the Mac choice. :) Or just try that Kalyway thing.
 
Cool thanks TR, some good pointers! I was thinking of Linux, but the "PC literate" friend he has who is going to teach him only knows XP. (I just got the friend a new notebook with Vista; he calls me and asks why the computer is asking him so many questions - and could I please rather put DOS on?? LOL). Same goes for a Mac....

Anyway like the idea of the comfy keyboard, for joints and simple mouse etc. so as not to cause additional confusion. Buying stuff for a total noob is quite challenging cause you have to forget about what you want, and think of how he's going to handle the new experience. Remember this guy has never even used an electronic typewriter :)
 
would also recommend the eee with the linux distro as pre-installed, its about as basic and easy as you can get.
Then you also don't have to worry about him picking up spyware from questionable websites. You can also just hook up a nice & big screen with a low resolution and a bigger keyboard & mouse
 
Tricky.

I wouldn't get him anything slow. He's likely to complain. Don't underestimate the guy.

Make things standard. Standard keyboard, mouse etc.. No wireless gizmos, which just add another level of sophistication.

A lot of things we know how to resolve/fix quickly because we have seen examples and have experience. Just remember it's all new to him.

A good intro to computer input (mouse) is by getting him involved in a simple game like Patience. It provides some familiarity and incentive to learn.

Mention the office metaphor which explains why we use files and folders etc.

I'm also thinking Apple, since it's more intuitive and you have the PC Boot option should you need it. I'm pretty sure he's going to want a printer as well.
 
My grandfather (80+) learned to use a computer about 2-3 years ago. He loves the fact that most of his family is on Skype, so don't forget the webcam and mic.

He also enjoys recording his LP's onto CD.

Now he wants to try is recording video onto DVD!
 
MAC hands down.

I bought my grandmother a Macbook Pro when she was 82, after my grandfather died. It's literally given her a new lease on life. She plays games like scrabble on it every day, emails, skypes and surfs the web a little.

She's 87 now and honestly, I don't think she would have made it this far without a computer. Being able to keep in touch everyday and use her mind keeps her out of the doldrums.

Being a PC & Mac user, I took everything into consideration. Mac was the way to go. Simply because it's simpler to use in most regards and is far less prone to complications.

I initially spent a few full days teaching her (she was adamant she couldn't learn at first) and she's been rockin happily mostly on her own since.
 
Last edited:
I would recommend getting him a mac, its pleasing to the eye, has very little if any serious OS problems, and is less virus prone than a PC. Also I would think it would be easier for him to access the applications he would need from the dock. Finally as he is new to computers it wouldn't matter if he uses OSX or windows. The only problem I anticipate would be, is the ease of finding OSX software.
 
/offtopic

So what is a PC exactly, a Windows run computer? I've always thought of it as computer that you use in your personal capacity with an operating system. So a Mac would be a PC, if I'm right? If I'm wrong, what do you call a computer that runs Linux? A Lac, LC(Linux Computer)?
 
DJNgoma said:
/offtopic

So what is a PC exactly, a Windows run computer? I've always thought of it as computer that you use in your personal capacity with an operating system. So a Mac would be a PC, if I'm right? If I'm wrong, what do you call a computer that runs Linux? A Lac, LC(Linux Computer)?
Click to expand...
You're right of course, but we had to distinguish between them somehow because the processors were so different. Maybe "Windows PC" is more PC (if you get my meaning).:p

Mac people themselves don't call it a PC either.
 
Conradl said:
So my father-in-law decides that he wants to learn how to use a computer and the internet at the age of 73 and I offered to buy him a PC.... Money is not an object and performance is not a priority; this is the first PC he will use and will therefore be the fastest too!

Any tips on what I should buy; especially since he is an older first time user? I was thinking of a 23"+ screen (2333SW) to reduce eye strain. Anything else that will help an old first time user??
Click to expand...

I would walk in to Makro and get him something bog standard from there with a 23" screen so you can change the res to make things bigger but he can still see enough not to have to scroll all over the place.

Nice thing about Makro is if it stops working or he doesn't like it you can take it back and get a refund in 7 days.
 
The main distinction stems back to the old PC vs Macintosh days. But today, Macs have very similar hardware to IBM compatible PCs.
 
JUGGY said:
I would walk in to Makro and get him something bog standard
Click to expand...

The way to go if you're on a shoestring budget. But generally a cheap computer is behind the 8 ball from the start.

If you can afford it, best go for 'state of the art'. By that, I don't mean all the bells and whistles, but a fast processor, ample storage and good graphics. The new user will like the experience more and chances are, it will last a lot longer (future proof).

Being that older people usually see change as big inconvenience, you want to minimise changes of software and hardware in the future.

I have been trying to convince a friends mother to replace her mid 90's dinosaur 'PC'. Despite the infinite problems she's having with it (and often calling me to problem solve), she's holding onto it for dear life. Mention the word Vista or XP and she starts to tremble.
 
Like the idea of buying from Makro, but rather just buy it from Tarsus.... I'm thinking of this HP, it has an ATI 3700 display card, with a 2333SW. Also a wireless ergo MS keyboard and mouse. Forgot about the printer and webcam, will probably buy those from Makro etc so I can see which ones are easier to use....

Maybe I'll also look at the Mac; seems like it comes highly recommended.

AL196AW DC5850 SFF AMD Athlon 5200B (2.7-GHz, 1MB L2 cache, HT bus 2.0) - 1GB (1x1) DDR2 PC6400 - 160GB HDD SATA - DVDRW SuperMulti 16x [LightScribe] - Vista Business 32 Downgraded to XP Professional - (3-3-3) R 4,999.00
 
I'd also recommend a Mac. That PC is pretty overpriced! If you're getting a PC there's no use in paying for brand names
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X