Gran wants a computer!

Oneday77

An iPad would be the easiest thing to use but possibly too small on the text front.
An Apple Mac or MacBook would be good but probably too much cash for her level of use.

You know what your Gran can cope with physically ie weight of laptop, dexterity of her fingers, visual acuity etc.
Get something that matches in that regard as physical useability come first before complexity of computer specifications.

A Laptop that is running windows with all admin rights turned off and any software she needs preset up would be the likely way to proceed.
An Alternative is a High Definition TV with a media centre PC so she can use a cordless keyboard with attached touchpad and view a huge screen

chewynut

This story sounds familiar!

An 84 year old member of my family is now the proud owner of an iPad 2, which they wanted for reasons people don't really want to hear about.

None of us have even had an iPhone so have no idea how to help them during the weekly (sometimes daily) phone calls for help. It's all stupid stuff like them not being able to access their iPad after somebody else used it, and then it turns out they mean the FB that person set up for them because they're so clueless. You try and explain what little you know and it goes in one ear and straight out the other side.

My advice is to get something very simple and basic which somebody in the family knows how to fix for when things inevitably go wrong. Get a good anti-virus and ship your gran off to computer classes immediately. Don't get involved with it because it gets extremely annoying very quickly. Can you tell?

shop-to-drop

If you get an Apple and she could get to an Apple store she could sign up for a free workshop.

pcombo

I recon a laptop with windows xp installed.

thats simple enough for anyone to use.

Lifeforms

I would echo a basic laptop. But as has been said you will probably become the IT specialist at the end of the phone, so set yourself up with it first. Install the recommended software/weekly updates etc, and if necessary hide icons to avoid things being "oops i wonder what the delete button does with that" etc. Sure it's great if they want to go further, but impress that before they install a random popup to ask about it first etc, and if they have any problems with dodgy things happening, to always ask you, as it's "not a problem"

Win 7 too. the search on start menu is awesome for finding things easily, as well as pinned icons on the taskbar, so she may never even get into the start menu, but as suggested, a non-admin account (which you know the password for, because i can guess you'll get a call saying, what was my password again???)

I regularly service/fix a 70+ y/o's laptop. From simple things to printer software issues, to actual proper scanning after a hacked email etc. The first few times she had problems "she didn't want to bother me/didn't want it to be a problem" as I said to her, it's easier to fix when it first shows up, than when it's gone into a pile of doodoo.

No to an Ipad. aside the issue with flash and Java/lack of it etc (a lot of web based games etc). It can be confusing to switch between applications, can be heavy to hold, very unnatural to type, and confuses people when it turns auto. I get you can turn off stuff like that, but why? it's nice when you get it. Stick with a laptop/desktop. The set up my friend uses is a Laptop connected to a keyboard sometimes, and a mouse, and she's more than happy with it. Now some of the stuff she gets upto, that'd basically make anyone go o.O

giraffe69

My aunt who is in her 80's has got a computer for the fist time and mastered email, web surfing and on line shopping. She has a nephew to help if needed and went to the local classes held at the library to get her started. Quite impressive at her age I think. The classes gave her a bit of confidence once she had the toy in her flat.

Yorkie1

I would echo the accessibility comments. Her eyesight and dexterity might be fine, in which case a laptop screen will be fine, but if there are issues with eyesight in particular, a PC monitor and a mouse would be advisable.

Skymist

Can I also suggest that, whatever laptop/PC/MAC she eventually buys, that a trackball would be more preferable than a mouse....no need to move your arms around a lot with one of these. I have a bit arthritis in my hands and have been using a trackball since I started using a laptop, and find it very easy to maneuver, especially in comparison to using a mouse when I help friends to fix their machines!

S

carlpayne

Go for Apple iMac...if price doesn't matter.

p4girl

Thanks for all replies - lots of good points that I hadn't even considered.

A basic windows 7 laptop which could be plugged into the tv to improve the vision aspect is a really good idea.

And yes, I will be bookmarking this site for when (when, not if) Gran manages her way round the internet. Nothing ever gets in her way for long!

:beer: