Laptop for OAP

countrylad_3

Hey All !

My father who is 70 will shortly be having an op, and on his return back home would like to get a laptop to use without having to sit at a pc.............any ideas ? ? Cheapest ? Best for that sort of age group, probably with wireless capability, but other than that, just to enable him to get online..........

Any direction would be greatly appreciated !

Thanks

gwyne

I've liked Dell for ease of use - you can get pretty decent ones for about the £300 mark - just saw on the website they have an offer £349 for 3GB and 320GB hard drive, Windows 7 and of course will have wireless.

macman

Check first that he will be comfortable with a laptop's 15in screen-what's his eyesight like? If he's used to a larger monitor, 17in or up, he could struggle.
A 17in laptop will cost a lot more.

BillScarab

I'd check as well that he's comfortable with a cramped laptop keyboard and a touchpad.

Perosnally I would have thought he would be better off sat a desk with a nice big monitor, full sized keyboard and a mouse.

If he's definately comfortable with using a laptop Dell are as good as any.

Jake'sGran

gwyne wrote: »

I've liked Dell for ease of use - you can get pretty decent ones for about the £300 mark - just saw on the website they have an offer £349 for 3GB and 320GB hard drive, Windows 7 and of course will have wireless.

I was waiting for Dell to have a laptop for less than £400 as I have always used their computers. In the end I bought the Sony VA10 from JohnLewis for £434 and they give a two year guarantee. But I don't like it very much. There always seems to be something changing in the whole system. Today, for instance, the cursor is flashing all the time.

I bought a separate mouse as the mouse plate on laptops is not user friendly to me. My SIL bought a Toshiba with a white keyboard but it will have been more expensive I think. I think I did prefer my desktop computer but laptops are convenient for moving around as and when he will require. I wish I had waited longer for the Dell that is now less than £400 and would get that for him if you can. I'm not sure what you mean by "wireless" as I thought having a charged battery in the laptop meant it was wireless. Mine is in the same place all the time on a little table as I don't like using it on my lap and therefore it is plugged in most of the time. Netto had great little floor standing support devices for laptops for £20 last week.
(NB I am in my 70s too)

macman

Gran, 'wireless' in this instance means a wireless connection to the internet-nothing to do with how it is powered.

countrylad_3

thanks for help so far...............it will have to be a laptop as will be placed on one of those moveable folding tables in front of him...........its a leg operation so sitting on normal chair is gonna prove difficult.............

eyesite is ok, so 15 inch screen is probably doable

BillScarab

countrylad wrote: »

thanks for help so far...............it will have to be a laptop as will be placed on one of those moveable folding tables in front of him...........its a leg operation so sitting on normal chair is gonna prove difficult.............

eyesite is ok, so 15 inch screen is probably doable

In that case a laptop does sound like a better solution.

Jake'sGran

macman wrote: »

Gran, 'wireless' in this instance means a wireless connection to the internet-nothing to do with how it is powered.

How stupid of me! and here's me about to buy a WIRELESS printer!

macman

Jake'sGran wrote: »

How stupid of me! and here's me about to buy a WIRELESS printer!

You'll still need to plug that into the mains though...
I assume you have a wireless router to make the connection.

codo

Im considering this for my mother in law.

http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sol/shop/technology/computing/119050873_medion_akoya_e5211_154_2gb320gb_black_laptop.html?hnav=4294960198

Just posted a thread to check if Vista Home Basic is ok. Its reduced to £269 instore, so it looks like a good deal and should suit her requirements.