Advice for Elderly Surfers

Nelski

Debated where to put this -silver surfers or techie were options so please move if its not the best place.

My folks are 77 and have decided its time to get online:D

So I am looking for advice on the best package for good value and more importantly ease of use. They have a very limited knowledge of anything techinical so to save me having to visit on a daily basis to explain - ease would be the priority.

I need:

a lappy (I think it would be easier if they can have this rather than a fixed pc)
an easy to use and simple ISP (you get the theme!!)
WIFI then they can use it downstairs
any other bits of advice you could give me/them to make this process easier:D

Thanks all
Nels xx

Nile

Hello Nelski

I'll move your thread to the 'Techie Stuff' where hopefully you should get some help and some responses.;)

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]!!!!!![/EMAIL].

Regards

Nile

Browntoa

I personally find Desktops more robust for the elder user and a full sized keyboard is easier for them to navigate

I'd buy them a Dell desktop with Xp

this for £270.32 delivered

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=uk&cid=5212&dgc=AF&fb=1&l=en&lid=122756&oc=d012003&s=dhs

if you drop the service package to 1 year

XP or Vista

Dell 17" Black Wide Flat Panel (E178WFP) - UK/Irish for the price above

305-D012003 Home site -

Intel Celeron 420 Processor (1.6GHz,800MHz,512k cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic - English
1024MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x512]
160GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive with 8MB DataBurst cache
Integrated Intel Graphic Media Accelerator X3100
Dell Entry Quietkey USB Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
Dell 2 Button USB Optical Mouse
Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio
Microsoft Works 8.5 - English
16x DVD +/- RW Drive

you can buy a wireless PCI card elsewhere for about £14

if they subscribe to sky then is that their cheapest option for wireless broadband ??

PaulK_3

Have they got Sky tv ? If so they can get a free adsl package if they have a BT line. Sky tech support are available 24/7 and can talk them through any problems if needed.
Other than that you need to look at costs etc for which ISP you look to, ADSL is often cheaper but does rely heavily on quality of telephone line and distance from the exchange.

Reluctant_spender

I would suggest newnet for broadband - my inlaws are in their 70's and find the service and the support very good. - https://www.newnet.co.uk

Nelski

Thanks Nile

No sky Im afraid (lol they have only just got a freeview box:D )

Browntoa I was thinking a laptop would be better as they would be able to use it in the lounge or upstairs and not be tied to the one small room but I do see what you mean re the keyboard size - ill have a think on this one.

thanks for the tips so far Ill check those sites out now

Edinburghlass_2

Do they have their line rental with BT or someone else as this can limit which ISP? Also as a wireless router only costs around £40 no point in paying extra per month for what is supposedly a "free" one.

spud17

Could be unwieldy, but how about a laptop and a normal keyboard?

bristol_pilot

I recently got my oldies sorted out - similar age.

Mid-range desktop PC - easier to use than a laptop for an older person, large screen and full-size keyboard. Bought off-the-shelf at John Lewis - 2 year guarantee and somewhere to go back to if there is a problem.

Broadband - BT, not the cheapest but it works and they were already on BT for phone service so only one bill.

totalsolutions

What about an apple mac? Dont these just work out of the box, use a single mouse button and have all the apps. you need ready to go.

They look nice clean & tidy, laptop and bang upto date. Read somewhere mac for home and Pc for work.

I think a pc & windows is a nightmare waiting to go t*ts up as soon as they wave a mouse over the screen the task bar and move/resize it!!!!

The amount of time spend helping friends over the last 20 yrs with upgrades and driver cd missing and reinstalls.....

get a mac you know it makes sense.

amonra

Definitely a desktop rather than a laptop. I know you can drag a lappy wherever you want, but that means wireless, more complications when things go wrong. As someone suggested earlier, a nice simple Dell desktop all ready to be plugged into the telephone socket, a CD from your chosen ISP, and they are away.
Things WILL go wrong, and it's you who will be getting the phonecalls just as you are settling down to watch........
I know, I'm in that situation !