Leicester_H Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi I have to choose a laptop for someone. She is in her 70's and NEVER used a computer before. She is about to start a computing for absolute beginners course (5 x 2 hour sessions). She lives just over 3 hours drive away - so can't easily pop round to help her. She will mostly just be browsing the internet and sending emails - so doesn't need huge computing power. We have just got her a digital camera (another 1st), so she will want to upload (and maybe edit) photos. She has taken to that and had no problems - she is quite capable of learning new things but lacks confidence. She liked the look and feel of my Samsung laptop (which I also like) - so I'm inclining to something similar. Needs to be reliable and easy. Probably buy through Amazon (unless BIG price difference). Any suggestions of what to buy (or avoid) ? I have Windows XP on my desktop and Vista on my laptop. I assume it would be best to get Windows 7 on a new laptop ? Does it look much different ?? (I expect I'll have to talk her through somethings over the telephone). Thanks as always, H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adelochick Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi Hazel, Instead of a laptop, why not go for a netbook, which is much more comfortable to move about (so better for someone of 70 I'd think) and there are some very good deals at the mo. Apart from the size, they don't have optical drive so you can't play cd or dvd unless you have a plug-in device. We've just bought youngest DS Acer aspire one off acerdirect with extended warranty to one year, case, and headset for him to use at sixth form college for under £245, which we are all delighted with. It has wifi, windows7 starter os, two months mcafee internet security suite protection, and microsoft office starter (word and excel). Hope you find something suitable, good luck, Jx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 My son uses these at school and also my 87 year old Gran bought herself one last year after doing the basic course! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-NB500-11J-Netbook-Windows7-Starter/dp/B004XARWPO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1329661057&sr=8-3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi Thanks - but I think a laptop would be better - and she does need a dvd writer (to back up photos). I don't imagine her carrying it far - so weight (within limits) shouldn't be an issue. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 We have recently purchased 2 HP laptops, one for my ED's 18th birthday last September which was a bargain i3 processor 4G ram and 750MB hard drive, and the other one only last week as a joint birthday present to ourselves, this one has an i5 processor 6G memory and 750MB hard drive. This one doesn't seem as good as the one that we bought for our daughter which is disapointing because we put a lot of thought into it. It has a weird intermittent beep which is annoying and doesn't boot up as quickly but that may be down to our anti virus. We went for HP because my DS has had a compact mini netbook for nearly 3 years now without a problem, he uses it for school because he has difficulty with handwriting, so it has coped with the rigours of being taken to school and knocked about very well. I don't envy you the choice, there are a baffling number of options out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Acer are usually pretty good - I was recently able to buy a 2 year old one (very cheaply indeed) from a neighbour and it's brilliant. Rosie mainly uses it for homework so I bought some upgraded software from software4students and stuck a bit of extra memory in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 My ED had an Acer for 5 years, it was a bit of a dinosaur but very reliable, her new one uses the same memory for just it's operating system as a her old one had for everything. We have a 7 year old pc which is so slow, which is why we decided to buy a new laptop, plus it means that we can web surf in front of the fire. having said that i am currently sitting here in a freezing cold room, because there is only me in the house today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I have always liked Samsung, I have a little netbook and a laptop. Samsung lap top keys are nicely spaced so you don't catch the key next to the one you want. I tend to get mine from Costco as they have so great deals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Do you have a budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 Do you have a budget? Not really - she's not on the poverty line (fortunately) - but don't want to waste money (obviously). Reliability and easy of use are the top priorities. Thanks all (so far!) H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Mine was around the £250 mark it is a Samsung RC520, nice big keys and screen but not clumpy and heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 Mine was around the £250 mark it is a Samsung RC520, Really ??!! Amazon price today is £619 !! H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 good old Costco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) Re: Costco - how do you know what they have and at what price ? Do you have to join to find out ? How does it work ? Oh - just read more - its not open to everyone (is it?) Thanks, H Edited February 21, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 It was a chance shop really - we do get a news letter sometimes with the offers coming in. I you can get to one then it's worth going for a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 From their website, only certain people can join ?? "Costco is able to offer Individual Membership to current or retired employees of selected employment groups or professions. To find out if you are eligible for Individual Membership please click on the link below." H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 What about this Mid range laptop, so it will last without the need for upgrading. Sony are a good solid brand (my sony laptop was still going strong for about 3 years until it got stolen) and excellent customer service (my sony laptop blew up , but was promptly repaired) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adelochick Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Hi again Hazel, What about something like this Toshiba Satellite Pro C660-2DJ Laptop Intel Celeron Dual Core B800 1.5GHz 4GB RAM 500GB HDD 15.6" HD DVD Writer Intel HD 3000 Webcam Bluetooth Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit FROM Ebuyer.com £319.98 inc vat QuickFind code: 288866 Manufacturer ID: PSC1ME-01500KEN Quality and value. The Satellite Pro C660/C660D is an affordable, great-quality everyday laptop and features a 39.6cm (15.6”) TruBrite® display and textured matte black finish. The media card reader is ideal for quick and convenient transfers from other devices and the numeric keypad is ideal for working with business applications such as spreadsheets. The C660 features a streamlined design in a textured matt black finish and weighs from only 2.5kg. The textured finish helps to minimise fingerprint marks as well as giving it a smart look and feel. A 39.6cm (15.6”) display makes it an ideal desktop replacement and with LED backlighting, it delivers sharp and vivid images. Toshiba laptops come with a range of features that enhance your user experience. The spacious full size keyboard with numeric keypad is ideal for applications such as spreadsheets, and ensures typing is comfortable. The USB ports offer quick and convenient transfer methods of documents, photos and other files from your other devices. Toshiba’s multi-touch touchpad gives you more intuitive navigation that allows you to zoom, scroll and rotate providing an innovative alternative to conventional scrolling and buttons You’ll get everything you need to get moving straight away. Microsoft Office Starter 2010 is pre-installed whilst the McAfee Internet Security free trial instantly detects and blocks viruses, including stopping web threats before they are downloaded to your PC. Skype is also included for face to face video calls and phone calls to both other Skype users and ordinary phones. Toshiba LifeSpace software that helps you to organise your life. Just a thought that this laptop might be suitable and not too expensive. Jx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adelochick Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Well Hazel did you find anything suitable to buy for your elderly lady friend/relative to use? Hope it all worked out well. Jx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 Hi Yes - thanks for all your help. We went for this in the end http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-15-6-inch-Laptop-i3-380M-Premium/dp/B004HZG2NS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331221673&sr=8-1 It was £365 at time of purchase. The owner is VERY pleased with it. She has now had 3 "IT for complete beginners" lessons - until the 1st she had never touched a PC. Its 'tricky' talking her through things over the phone as I don't have windows 7 - and she doesn't know the names of thing yet - but we're getting there. Thansk again, H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
