Laptop for first time 'senior'?

debitcardmayhem

Obvious question to me, but does your grandad already have broadband?, if not don't forget the ongoing cost of that. Novatech sell computers without o/s,some others do too and many refurbishers often do too.

missile

May I suggest you investigate silver surfers classes for your Grandad. He would be able to meet with like minded individuals in a social environment.

that

Personally, I do not think a computer is the answer, but does depend on the person.

You should be able to pick something up on freecycle - just to test the waters and find out how he is with it. If at his age his interest in things have dwained, then a computer may not help.

Then there is the signing up to an internet service which will cost between about £10 to 30 a month, but if has a 'lifeline' pendant or other medical phone service then he may need a second line which often involves 12 or 18 month contracts.

Do not set him up as admin equivalent (or tell him the admin pw), and also put team viewer on it. So many unwary, and also the elderly are being scammed by people offering services, or impersonation.

If I were you I would visit as many as I could pensioner centers, care homes, social services, occupational therapy, speak to the staff there, also social clubs, and hospitals (he could be a meeter and greeter, plus once he is familiar, show people around), something to keep him social and out of the house.

Some areas have pensioner buses or pensioner outings. If he is a fit 80, then ramblers association may be a way.

Then there is also University of the Third Age https://www.u3a.org.uk/

Although I hated the Bingo places, and it did zap my Mom's money, Bingo became her habit. It did help keep her sharper, gave her a meaning in life, and she did meet new people, but she was never a warm friendly person, or a 'joiner', did not capitulate with crowd mentality and in the end you only get out what you put in. Tried to get her to play Bridge, took her by car to the place so she could find it and worked out the bus stop too, but she would not go even tough she liked cards.

nickcc

Had PC's And now have a laptop which I only ever turn on to update W10. Bought iPad 3 when they first came out and never used laptop since. Bought present recon iPad 4 couple of years ago complete with cellular for £150 off Tesco, my Wife hates it as I spend far too long using it. You'll always get the Apple product haters just because its Apple but don't be put off until you've tried one. Also got a couple of Android tablets but still prefer iPad, also always use a good quality stylus as I'm one of the old generation who only use one finger typing.

tempus_fugit

EveryWhere wrote: »

I honestly would steer clear of Chromebooks.

Why?

EveryWhere wrote: »

On the other hand, the six monthly updates to Windows 10 can be confusing, especially if it fouls up the device.

That's why Chromebooks can be ideal as they don't have confusing and possibly disastrous updates to cope with. My in-laws have one and they cope very well with it, whereas the previous Windows machine was a nightmare.

hyubh

tempus_fugit wrote: »

That's why Chromebooks can be ideal as they don't have confusing and possibly disastrous updates to cope with.

Au contraire, Google updates its software extremely aggressively, in the sense of being very frequent and enforced (where it can do that - obviously so with Chromebooks). However, the company is also pretty good at not making this particularly obvious from the end user's POV, so long as you have no need to check on the amount of data being sucked down the internet pipe. So, less potentially confusing yes, but not because there aren't updates as such.

J_B

YoungGuns wrote: »

I just can't stand Windows 10 and it's enforced and time consuming updates - which normally occur when you've powered up your device ready for kick-off time (or similar). Grrrr!)

May I suggest to you and your granddad that you don't switch it off too often, just reboot at bedtime, then the above isn't an issue

YoungGuns wrote: »

Would a laptop without any software at all be cheaper to buy? I haven't seen any 'blank' ones on sale anywhere - they all seem to come installed with some kind of OS (mostly Windows).
It would be good to start with a clean slate.

Yes, but most (?) people use Windows and therefore if he tries this suggestion ...

missile wrote: »

May I suggest you investigate silver surfers classes for your Grandad. He would be able to meet with like minded individuals in a social environment.

he would maybe turn out to be 'Nobby No Mates' in the class!

grumpycrab

Thinking out loud... anybody tried Windows 10's latest Kiosk Mode Wizard? The aim being to produce a User Interface that just presents Edge browser... no logon, no desktop, no start menu, no task bar. Not sure how tailorable the browser is in terms of default tab settings. Will have a look at this later today.
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/kiosk-mode-offers-wizard-experience-windows-10

LadyDee

My local Library holds sessions for older people to learn to use computers - might be worth investigating. Just to give him a taste of what a computer will do. I think they concentrate on things like emails etc. Very straight forward stuff to start with.

I also saw an Age UK leaflet advertising computer/laptop clubs & classes.

AnotherJoe

A tablet, hands down. No contest.

There's way too much stuff to get in the way before you can do anything on a PC, and that can trip you up, for someone who is just starting.
KISS