Discussion Best desktop/laptop/tablet for a technophobe

[merk]

Hi All,

So for the upteenth time I'm going to try and get my father to get online. He's not stupid or senile, but for whatever reason just never puts any effort at all into getting online. My sister or myself, or my sister's son always do anything online for him. He has an ancient PC (with vista on it) i built for him which appears to no longer boot and I don't want to even bother trying to get it working. So I'd rather just get him something new.

Right now, I'm leaning towards a chromebook. It would be less expensive than a full desktop or laptop. And i think it would be less likely to get infected by any virus or anything. Mainly I want something that has the least steep learning curve for someone who basically has zero internet/computer experience. My father saw some ad a while back about some PC that all voice controlled, and kinda wants that. I've never heard of that before (other then something like dragon speak). I think maybe a good compromise would be something that at least has voice typing, if not exactly voice control. I haven't owned a chrome book previously, but I'm assuming they have voice typing similar to what an android smart phone has?

Ideally I want something that's secure so I don't have to worry about him accidentally getting a virus. I want something inexpensive in case he doesn't really use it. It needs to be able to do the basic internet tasks - email, facebook, google searches - that would probably be the extent of what he'd use it for. And something that won't require a ton of tech support...cuz I'm the IT dept here.

One thing I'd prefer to avoid is any apple products - both for price and because I'm not really an apple user so if he does have to ask me a question, I'm more likely to be helpful with windows or android.

So, anyone have any suggestions? I'm looking at the $200~ chromebooks, but open to other suggestions.

Thanks

 

[nakedfrog]

If you want to avoid Apple, a decent spec Chromebook is probably a good choice.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Anytime I would get a client that fits that description, I would pair them with a Chromebook. They are already familiar with how browsers work, so the learning curve is about as easy as it gets. Not to mention, modest hardware is all that is required, hence the low price.

 

[Torn Mind]

Don't feel bad, your dad just has no interest in porn.

Apple has a better UI than Android for tablets. Less prone to annoying hiccups. Fairly intuitive and straightforward. Windows Mobile was also pretty intuitive, but that OS is dead.

Chromebooks could work too if you are confident the web browser is basically the full extent of his computer needs.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Show him pornhub. He'll make the effort the moment you leave his house.

 

[merk]

Please stop mentioning porn and my dad in the same sentence ;p
I'm pretty sure my dad wouldn't need more then a web browser. But if he actually gets to the point where he needs something more, I'd happily get him a PC or whatever.

 

[Captante]

If you want to avoid Apple YOU ARE MAKING A MISTAKE

Fixed.

Normally I would suggest avoiding Apple as well but this sounds like the perfect case for one.

 

[BoomerD]

Fixed.

Normally I would suggest avoiding Apple as well but this sounds like the perfect case for one.

I agree. The iPad is easy to use and ideal for seniors. We know several older people who don't have pc's or laptops, and get by just fine with an iPad. Hell, I bought one 3 years ago and do 90% of my internet stuff on mine. If I didn't enjoy gaming so much, I probably wouldn't even have a desktop any more.

 

[sdifox]

What is wrong with just an ipad?

 

[merk]

What makes the ipad such a better choice? I have limited experience with one - i have to use one for work occasionally. But I really only just use it for work. Other then needing to get used to the different icons/locations of settings etc it doesn't feel all that different from an android tablet. The main reason i feel like avoiding apple/ipads is cost. He can have a 14 inch screen for $200 vs a 10 inch screen for $329. Although I'm debating if having a smaller touch screen would be better than having a larger non-touch screen.

And as I mentioned, I'm not super familiar with apple products. So if he gets hung up on anything or has some problem, there's a better chance I can help him with an android (or windows) product.

But if there's some reason you guys really think he'd have a better/easier time using an apple product, I would consider it.

 

[BoomerD]

My wife's iPad Air2 is the first apple product we've ever used. No muss, no fuss, it just works right.
I THINK Apple's app store is a bit more careful about apps it allows to be downloaded as well. Less chance of spywarw/malware than through Android's Play Store.

 

[sdifox]

What makes the ipad such a better choice? I have limited experience with one - i have to use one for work occasionally. But I really only just use it for work. Other then needing to get used to the different icons/locations of settings etc it doesn't feel all that different from an android tablet. The main reason i feel like avoiding apple/ipads is cost. He can have a 14 inch screen for $200 vs a 10 inch screen for $329. Although I'm debating if having a smaller touch screen would be better than having a larger non-touch screen.

And as I mentioned, I'm not super familiar with apple products. So if he gets hung up on anything or has some problem, there's a better chance I can help him with an android (or windows) product.

But if there's some reason you guys really think he'd have a better/easier time using an apple product, I would consider it.

It's built for idiots.

 

[BoomerD]

It's built for idiots.

 

[merk]

My wife's iPad Air2 is the first apple product we've ever used. No muss, no fuss, it just works right.
I THINK Apple's app store is a bit more careful about apps it allows to be downloaded as well. Less chance of spywarw/malware than through Android's Play Store.

Hmm - i didn't really picture him using the store that much. Frankly, I'll be shocked if he at least browses facebook or runs an occasional search to look up information. I can't really speak to chromebooks working right or not, at least not compared to any apple products.

It's built for idiots.

Thanks, but do you have any actual experience comparing the two? I'm pretty familiar with android phones and tablets, but have only limited experience with an ipad. And I can't really see a huge difference in terms of usability between the two.

 

[BoomerD]

Hmm - i didn't really picture him using the store that much. Frankly, I'll be shocked if he at least browses facebook or runs an occasional search to look up information. I can't really speak to chromebooks working right or not, at least not compared to any apple products.


Thanks, but do you have any actual experience comparing the two? I'm pretty familiar with android phones and tablets, but have only limited experience with an ipad. And I can't really see a huge difference in terms of usability between the two.

I took my wife shopping before I bought her iPad in 2015. She's not tech-friendly at all. Remote controls for the tv system give her problems. She played with a couple of Samsung tablets and the iPad. She liked the iPad. It took her a few months to get into using it regularly...l had to d/l games and such for her at first...now, she does just fine with it. Hell, she has to recharge the thing at least once per day...and it charges over night as well.
I've never been a big Apple fan...never owned a Macintosh or Mac laptop, never owned an iPhone...always Windows PC's and Android phones, but I gotta tell ya...I'm so impressed with the ease of the iPad for every day stuff, I considered an iPhone X when I upgraded phones in 2018. If I upgraded from my Galaxy S9+, I'd at least consider a newer Apple phone.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

It's built for idiots.

No matter how idiot proof you try to build it, they just keep making better idiots.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Thanks, but do you have any actual experience comparing the two? I'm pretty familiar with android phones and tablets, but have only limited experience with an ipad. And I can't really see a huge difference in terms of usability between the two.

Your familiarity with Android makes it the obvious choice, given you already noted that you are going to be the tech support. And the biggest difference between quality Android hardware and Apple, is that Apple's ecosystem is more expensive.

 

[VirtualLarry]

My personal BIAS is to avoid anything Apple... just cause they're $$$, not "open", expensive to repair, can't just take it down to "Joe's repair shop" (or even diagnose and repair yourself, like a PC), etc.

I kind of second the Chromebook idea. IF all they need is a web browser.

I've actually never used an iPad. If they are as convenient and easy-to-use as they say in this thread, heck, why not I guess. But I'm like you, OP, I can tech-support Windows, and Android pretty-much, but Apple? I have no clue. (Do you still have to hit CTRL-OpenApple-SHIFT-P, to "zap the P-RAM" on an iPad? That's about the extent of my Apple knowledge from years ago on Mac Classics.)

 

[mxnerd]

A lot of Chromebooks also run Android Apps now.

Here are all the Chromebooks that run Android and Linux apps

Want to run Android apps on a Chromebook? How about Linux apps? Here are all the Chromebooks that support one or both.

www.androidauthority.com

 

[sdifox]

Hmm - i didn't really picture him using the store that much. Frankly, I'll be shocked if he at least browses facebook or runs an occasional search to look up information. I can't really speak to chromebooks working right or not, at least not compared to any apple products.


Thanks, but do you have any actual experience comparing the two? I'm pretty familiar with android phones and tablets, but have only limited experience with an ipad. And I can't really see a huge difference in terms of usability between the two.

Wife has two ipads, 6 year old twins have andoid tablets. They are always hogging mom's tablets. I can't stand Apple products.

 

[sdifox]

No matter how idiot proof you try to build it, they just keep making better idiots.

Everytime my wife wants me to do some tech support on the ipad I am stumped. I don't get their logic.

 

[Torn Mind]

Android is prone to issues moreso than Apple. I trust ITunes to interface with the PC everytime a Iphone is plugging in. Android devices can get driver malfunctions. Android's "hidden" features are probably a detriment to someone who will never go beyond the basics.

Now, in the case of the OP his dad is so basic that even this issue may be a non-issue, but I believe that Apple has the better, non-annoying interface.

My mom has a PIxel 2 and the frequency in which she pushes the screen without even knowing it has done things like activating Do not disturb and moving icons.

I have not used iPADos but I have used iOS.

 

[Torn Mind]

Wife has two ipads, 6 year old twins have andoid tablets. They are always hogging mom's tablets. I can't stand Apple products.

That kids like mom's Apple tablets make it clear which OS is more fun to use.

 

[quikah]

Everytime my wife wants me to do some tech support on the ipad I am stumped. I don't get their logic.

I am the same way. I find iOS to be WAY more difficult to use than android or windows. Seriously don't get it.

 

[Captante]

ideal for seniors

I bought one 3 years ago

/thread (?)