Need to find a basic easy to use computer

closed

I've put more effort into fixing the problem than you have.

If you want a new pc, just buy one, instead of repeating the same question every 4 months over a period of at least 3 years. Cheap pc threads abound, try ebuyer

It matters not who is going to use the pc, it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference.

jenniewb

closed wrote: »

I've put more effort into fixing the problem than you have.

If you want a new pc, just buy one, instead of repeating the same question every 4 months over a period of at least 3 years.

It matters not who is going to use the pc, it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference.

I DID BUY A NEW COMPUTER!!! I am not even asking for advice on a fixing a computer on here! I am specifically asking for advice on where to get a decent computer which is suitable for my 70yr old father!
I asked for advice on the computer in the past when it was near breaking point
I AM NOT TRYING TO FIX HIS COMPUTER I AM TRYING TO REPLACE IT!

I have asked for advice in the past on fixing a computer which at the time I did indeed temporarily repair. I have since bought a new computer.




I however do not live with my father, he has his own computer- just so you are clear on this: two people, two different computers, only one of us posts on here because my father doesn't understand how forums work, I do. Hence my fathers needs are different than mine and his requirements for a new computer are different than mine.


But I'm guessing as I've now posted the same information in this thread for you and you've still not read it that it will make no difference this time.


But just one last time:
I am not asking advice for anyone to fix my or my fathers computer on here, I am asking advice on where I can pick up a new computer for my father (not for me). I am not trying to fix his computer because it is past the point of economic repair.

Imdaewen

Personally I would say to stay clear from Windows 8 (Which might be hard as the only products I see on PC World come with Windows 8.) Windows 8 is very touch screen based and therefore incredibly clunky and frustrating to use as a mouse user. Also, a lot of big branded machines come with a lot of junkware that no one ever uses but is too scared to uninstall just in case it is important.

Perhaps look into local PC shops for a custom entry level machine and ask for Windows 7.

Another suggestion is to use a laptop and use an external keyboard, mouse and screen. It will 'feel' like a Desktop, but you will get the benefit of it being portable. (And a lot easier to take to someone when he messes up and it needs a repair) And maybe he might eventually prefer a laptop for messing around on the internet.

cajef

What do you mean by 'a basic easy to use computer', all new computers basic or complex come with a similar operating system nowadays usually Windows 8.1. it does not matter whether he is 70 or 25 years old he has to get his head round the same system as everyone else.

Coopdivi

As suggested above, it's probably best to avoid a computer with Windows 8 installed. Even people with a fair bit of knowledge of computers struggle with that operating system.

Dabs have a range of laptops with Windows 7 on them. Some of these come with Windows 8 as well so he could always upgrade later if Microsoft discontinue updates for 7 as they've done for XP. That won't happen for a few years though.

http://www.dabs.com/category/computing,laptops-and-tablets,laptops/11105-54380000-4294963789

I've got a Fujitsu and I would advise against getting one of those. The keyboard on mine is very flat which makes it very easy to hit two keys at once - very annoying.

Here's a Lenovo, for £384, which would suit his needs.

http://www.dabs.com/products/lenovo-thinkpad-edge-e545-amd-a8-4500-4gb-500gb-15-6--windows-7-professional-978V.html?refs=54380000-4294963789&src=3#specifications

He'll need an Antivirus. Avast is free and very good.

http://filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus

Malwarebytes Anti-malware is also an essential piece of software, either the free version where updates and scans need to be done manually

http://filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/

or the paid-for version which updates and scans automatically. It costs £19.28. Most people get the free version though.

https://store.malwarebytes.org/342/purl-consumer?x-source=website

I would advise against using Internet Explorer as a browser but instead choose from Chrome, Firefox or Opera. I use Pale Moon which is a variation on Firefox. It has less updates but is just as safe.

Whichever browser he installs I suggest getting an Adblocker add-on which will block annoying advertisements.

https://adblockplus.org

I also find the Web of Trust add-on very useful. This provides colour coded ratings for the majority of websites based on user-generated reviews.

https://www.mywot.com/

These additions should be enough to make using the laptop effortless and enjoyable to use. If he has other problems just ask on the Techie board or this thread.

Just put Closed on your ignore list if he annoys you.

cajef

Coopdivi wrote: »

Dabs have a range of laptops with Windows 7 on them.

Here's a Lenovo, for £384, which would suit his needs.

Did you read post #6, the OP does not want a laptop.

Coopdivi

I apologise. I must admit I didn't read that.

In that case get a monitor and plug it into the laptop. Obviously it whacks the cost up to close to £500 or more. Here is a 24" monitor for £105.42.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BenQ-GL2460/dp/B00AQBWMTK?

A 27" one for £170 here:

http://www.ebuyer.com/350151-hanns-g-hl272hpb-led-tft-27-hdmi-monitor-hl272hpb

If he's still not keen on that set-up then get a PC and add one of the above monitors. Here's one for £366.

http://www.ebuyer.com/634335-zoostorm-desktop-pc-7260-2002

Failing all that, find a local computer shop with a good reputation and get them to design one to meet his needs.

jenniewb

cajef wrote: »

What do you mean by 'a basic easy to use computer', all new computers basic or complex come with a similar operating system nowadays usually Windows 8.1. it does not matter whether he is 70 or 25 years old he has to get his head round the same system as everyone else.

His age shouldn't matter, but he seems to think he is old. (My nanna who was older than he was before she died had an ipod, my grandfather had a Kindle long before I had a smartphone, both were older and yet far more technology-literate). He seems to think he is "old" so acts this way, it's his attitude more than his age.


He can do emails and refuses to use his mobile for anything other than answering calls, his landline he unplugs because the phone doesn't look right (I don't understand either) he does send a fair few emails to compensate and is pretty dependent on having emails- he seems to like emailing.


He likes to view pictures from pretty ornate artists (think 1800s) and studies oil paintings at college (there is a fancy name for what he does, I can't remember it) and likes to research this online so viewing graphics online is pretty important.


He has said he'd like to listen to old BBC radio shows and watch Youtube programmes-the current computer he has cannot do this without freezing, turning itself off then pronouncing itself unable to do such a task. It is something I battled with for a while before giving up and was told at one point it was corrupted and needed to be repaired. I never got it repaired and suggested he did when I gave it to him, he didn't do this and it just got worse to the point now where emails seem to shut down the computer on many occasions.


I am pretty sure the more he can do, the more he will want to do and would hazard a guess at Skype being something he may want to try and watching bbc-iplayer/4od and so on. He may also want to start recreating art work on the computer as he has mentioned he liked using photoshop when taking lessons in the subject at college a few years ago.


He knows how to do most things but unless he can see the benefit in it for him he does the same trick my 9 year old niece does: he says he doesn't know how to do something and someone fixes or does the work for him! I think if the operating system is Windows 8 I can get past that as I have this, I don't have any experience of Apple Macs though. I don't live with him that often so as much as I can explain things to him he will be on his own most of the time so I'm looking for something that takes care of itself as much as possible (eg virus/malware protection and updates and so on). He has already shown that he doesn't do computer maintenance after I gave him what was a pretty dead computer and instead of getting it fixed he just left it to get to the point of no return.

jenniewb

Coopdivi wrote: »

As suggested above, it's probably best to avoid a computer with Windows 8 installed. Even people with a fair bit of knowledge of computers struggle with that operating system.

Dabs have a range of laptops with Windows 7 on them. Some of these come with Windows 8 as well so he could always upgrade later if Microsoft discontinue updates for 7 as they've done for XP. That won't happen for a few years though.

http://www.dabs.com/category/computing,laptops-and-tablets,laptops/11105-54380000-4294963789

I've got a Fujitsu and I would advise against getting one of those. The keyboard on mine is very flat which makes it very easy to hit two keys at once - very annoying.

Here's a Lenovo, for £384, which would suit his needs.

http://www.dabs.com/products/lenovo-thinkpad-edge-e545-amd-a8-4500-4gb-500gb-15-6--windows-7-professional-978V.html?refs=54380000-4294963789&src=3#specifications

He'll need an Antivirus. Avast is free and very good.

http://filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus

Malwarebytes Anti-malware is also an essential piece of software, either the free version where updates and scans need to be done manually

http://filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/

or the paid-for version which updates and scans automatically. It costs £19.28. Most people get the free version though.

https://store.malwarebytes.org/342/purl-consumer?x-source=website

I would advise against using Internet Explorer as a browser but instead choose from Chrome, Firefox or Opera. I use Pale Moon which is a variation on Firefox. It has less updates but is just as safe.

Whichever browser he installs I suggest getting an Adblocker add-on which will block annoying advertisements.

https://adblockplus.org

I also find the Web of Trust add-on very useful. This provides colour coded ratings for the majority of websites based on user-generated reviews.

https://www.mywot.com/

These additions should be enough to make using the laptop effortless and enjoyable to use. If he has other problems just ask on the Techie board or this thread.

Just put Closed on your ignore list if he annoys you.

These are great suggestions- thanks


I'm due to see my dad this weekend and want to have a list for him as his computer is now not working at all!