Saved Bookmarks
| 1. |
Solve : First Computer Mature Age? |
|
Answer» From what you have said the computer will be used for, the computer wouldn't have to be a top-of-the-line computer. The choice will be Windows. Should she buy a PC Tower? Mini Tower? or Laptop?It depends where she wants to use the computer. If she wants to use it around the house and outside, then obviously get a laptop. Otherwise, get a Desktop PC, because then you can get a larger EXTERNAL keyboard that doesn't heat up when you use it. As for the Operating System, my preference would be Windows XP - but that's because I don't care for the fanciness of Vista. However, if your computer course you purchased is based on Windows Vista or a specific package of Microsoft Office, then get whatever is in the course.Quote from: Carbon Dudeoxide on August 23, 2009, 01:41:07 AM Nothing too fancy. Perhaps a 2.2GHz Processor, 1GB RAM, Integrated graphics.even something like a 1.5 ghz processor will be very fast a laptop is fairly unneccary because i dont think movement around the house is veryh neccary older people are better at sitting in one SPOT then younger people Quote However, if your computer course you purchased is based on Windows Vista or a specific package of Microsoft Office, then get whatever is in the course. what does that mean?Quote from: smeezekitty on August 23, 2009, 01:44:54 AM
Why get Windows Vista if you have a tutorial for Windows XP? Dear Carbon Dudeoxide and Smeezekitty thank you for you input. I have printed out all the replies/information everyone has sent to me, and will give them to my friend. I am sure they will help her in her choice of computer. Best Regards cul1649cul1649,You are most welcome. As you have observed there were quite a few different opinions expressed (even the odd one that was not serious--hope you noted that). Yes it may well be that she is a "smart" lady but ultimately it will be the ease of operation at the outset with minimal frustration that governs whether it will become a part of her life or not. In that regard yes i would find a computer loaded with Windows XP (version not very important).With research new computers with XP are still to be found. Friend and family support will also assist a lot to her development and enjoyment of the computer experience. I have an elderly female friend (about the same age) that once a week i try to introduce to a new use of the computer and her progress has been outstanding and it adds immeasurably to her life's enjoyment. Not too much too fast or it may become overwhelming.I am sure in the end we would all be pleased to know what the final purchase looks like. So comeon back when the choice has been made and tell us what was chosen.Goodluck,truenorthNew computers with Windows XP are somewhat hard to find now. I'm a bit inclined to disagree with the comments in this thread advising XP instead of Vista. Vista has been on the market for about 3 years now. So, I'd be leaning more toward Vista than XP. I'd take a serious look at http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9175064&type=product&id=1218045567985. With this, you get an option to upgrade to Windows 7 from Windows Vista. Windows 7 is very similar to Windows Vista; this is another reason to go with Vista now. This computer has solid hardware specs for most home users. It has plenty of RAM (3GB) and a large hard drive (250GB). The onboard/integrated graphics would be fine for many home users but, for those who might want to upgrade the video by installing an add-on graphics card, this unit has a PCI-Express x16 slot. It also has two available PCI slots. Quote from: cul1649 on August 22, 2009, 10:11:17 AM :)Good morning all. I have a friend who is 78 and I recommend Broadband because it is faster and if you need to reinstall Windows, no ISP software is needed, only the ethernet driver.My father has mastered the pc and started at the age of 78.....six years later he's a whiz.....I got him involved despite his reservations and now he loves it.......mental alertness and manual dexterity are terrific side effects......His first pc was a mattel Barbie computer, from a flea market that came with Win98......he has upgraded twice since and now runs XP on a P4. Choose desktop over laptop...they tend to spend long hours getting to know the machine and comfort and eye strain are factors better addressed with a desktop and a 19" LCD....the full sized keyboard also helps to ease the frustration of NON typers hitting the wrong KEYS.....Choose an OS that the people around her use, so support is on the same page.......Broadband is a great plus....when you reach a certain age, you don't like waiting for anything.Dear Truenorth, Soybean, and Karnac, Thank you. I have taken on board your comments, and this is exactly why I asked the board so that after the choice is made there are no regrets. I will be delighted to let you know the outcome however, it will probably be a little while before we have a result. Sincere thanks cul1649Quote from: Karnac on August 24, 2009, 07:16:18 AM My father has mastered the pc and started at the age of 78.....six years later he's a whiz.....I got him involved despite his reservations and now he loves it.......mental alertness and manual dexterity are terrific side effects......His first pc was a mattel Barbie computer, from a flea market that came with Win98......he has upgraded twice since and now runs XP on a P4. I became a wiz earlier!Geez, you people act like Vista's the end of the planet, or something. A lot of the problems people have with Vista is that it's a bit different from the previous versions of Windows. I should think a new user might have less problems adapting. Graphical user interfaces aren't all that TERRIBLY different, anymore. Apple, Windows, Linux -- the graphical user interfaces are all pretty intuitive, anymore. |
|