How to pick out the best laptop for someone?

[Reba]

Well, you might have already read my other threads about my neighbor's computer problems. She's a lady in her mid-80's, and currently has an HP desktop running Windows Vista. She prefers her AOL account on IE. The monitor has a vertical line on it, and the PC is slowing down. She's thinking about buying a new computer.

Here are some factors in the decision:

1. Has to be user friendly (simple to use).

2. Has to be compatible with several old files and databases that she has on current PC. She has photo and document files, and various inventory type databases.

3. Personal--her husband, 94 years old, only has a few months left to live. He's very sharp and alert but his heart is going downhill. After he dies, she will probably move to the Northeast to live with relatives. That means, I will no longer be her "tech support." Also, I'm thinking that downsizing to a laptop might be practical for her since she will have to move from a 4-bedroom house to one room in a relative's house.

4. She's used to HP products but she also loves her Apple iPod and iPad.

5. She's not a trackpad user; must have a good keyboard and mouse.


At first, I was thinking MacBook would be nice since she likes Apple products. However, I'm worried about compatibility problems. Then again, would she have compatibility problems even with the Windows 7? Some of her files are on very old programs.

 

[Glenn]

Windows 7 should be able to run legacy programs as long as it's the 32 bit version of Windows.

 

[Jane B.]

I can't tell you about much of the compatibly question with the databases. The other files we would need to know file formats. If the photos are jpg that should not be a problem. If the documents are Word files or even WordPerfect they can probably be read and saved in the default format of what ever comes on a new computer or the programs that she has been using can be put on the new machine. WordPerfect is actually my preferred word processing program and although it has had features added the file format has not changed since the mid 1990s. Versions from X4 on (other than a cheaper student version) will also read Word docx files.

I have used a laptop as my only computer for many years. Even my current one is out of date, purchased in 2007, and is running XP Pro. Even way back then it was borderline on still getting XP and what led me to that was some very old but very useful things like a scanner that had no driver for Vista (By the way I am still using the scanner). I get the impression that Windows 7 is actually better about compatibility. I have done things like put in a larger hard drive myself. What I find makes it much more comfortable for daily use is attaching a full size keyboard and mouse; but then also having the option to disconnect them and take the laptop itself along (with a travel size mouse to use in place of the trackpad).

I am somewhat younger than your neighbor (68 will be 69 in Sept.) and have always been interested in gadgets and then computers since first using a Radio Shack Model III at work as a bookkeeper in the early 1980s. Later when the decision was made to put all of the books on IBM PC Compatible none of us had used the chosen software before. When it came in the box was set on my desk with the comment to put the books on the computer. It took a few support calls as I was setting it up (for a construction company with job cost books) but not major problems. I have installed all of my own software and done most but not all of my own troubleshooting.

 

[VamPyroX]

She's 80 and still uses a computer (especially knowing what she wants)? Impressive.

My grandparents are in their 80s and the most advanced piece of technology that they already struggle with is the VCR!!! They've never used a computer in their life nor do they even want to bother trying.

 

[radioman]

at this point in her age, I wouldnt switch to apple . its a whole different animal esp for elderly. I would just simply get hp laptop (ignore the fact it comes with a touchpad) with the largest display on it with vista. since she is using vista, no need to give her another learning curve to do with win 7 unless you take her to the store and let her play with one in the store to see if she is willing to switch. chances are she might be willing. she can use it as a "desktop" with laptop on same table where here current pc is. add a usb mouse and just plug it in be done with it and she wont need to touch the touchpad. you can turn it off in control panel so any accidental touching wont veer mouse off somewhere. This way she gets nearly all the same things she is used to. The laptop will be a easier thing to move when its time. just close the display and unplug mouse and power cord and away she goes. Much simpler to hook up too.

 

[Reba]

She's 80 and still uses a computer (especially knowing what she wants)? Impressive.

My grandparents are in their 80s and the most advanced piece of technology that they already struggle with is the VCR!!! They've never used a computer in their life nor do they even want to bother trying.

I've found that age isn't always the key as to whether or not someone is computer literate. I've met college students in their 20's who know less about computers than I do (age 60), and retirees who know their way around computers and the internet.

I find that some oldsters who, like me, started out with primitive computing at work decades ago, and kept up with the changes, don't have too much trouble. Those who had no exposure to even basic technology advancements while they were still young, have a harder time plunging in at this age.

 

[Reba]

at this point in her age, I wouldnt switch to apple . its a whole different animal esp for elderly. I would just simply get hp laptop (ignore the fact it comes with a touchpad) with the largest display on it with vista. since she is using vista, no need to give her another learning curve to do with win 7 unless you take her to the store and let her play with one in the store to see if she is willing to switch. chances are she might be willing.

I agree that the HP laptop with W7 is probably the way to go. She hates her Vista, so, with a little training, I think she can handle the W7. It's no problem for me to go next door and tutor her, and troubleshoot problems that pop up.

I'm thinking about a 15" screen. I know they come 17" but I want to keep it easily portable for her. She's a tiny little lady.

I'm going to let her try out my laptop keyboard. I know that she will need a mouse. I think a wired ergonomic full-size mouse will be comfortable for her. At first I was thinking about the wireless mouse but she might not like having to remember to turn it off and keep track of batteries. A USB attached mouse is easier for her, I think.

she can use it as a "desktop" with laptop on same table where here current pc is. add a usb mouse and just plug it in be done with it and she wont need to touch the touchpad. you can turn it off in control panel so any accidental touching wont veer mouse off somewhere. This way she gets nearly all the same things she is used to. The laptop will be a easier thing to move when its time. just close the display and unplug mouse and power cord and away she goes. Much simpler to hook up too.

Yes, good suggestions. Yes, we should probably turn off the touchpad so she doesn't have to even think about it.

I think we'll get a carrying bag for it also. She may have to move next year, so that would be handy, so she can keep all accessories and documentation together.

With the frequent thunderstorms we have here, it will also be nice that she can unplug her laptop to protect it.

 

[Jane B.]

Not sure if you remember this from my previous post (#3) "What I find makes it much more comfortable for daily use is attaching a full size keyboard and mouse; but then also having the option to disconnect them and take the laptop itself along (with a travel size mouse to use in place of the trackpad)."

I have my laptop sitting where a desktop monitor would and fullsize keyboard & mouse attached with the keyboard on a slide out keyboard drawer that is part of my desk. I prefer the height for all these things with this setup better than using the laptop keyboard.

I am not sure how her current keyboard and mouse connect but I am using an adapter (think it was from Walmart) to connect both an old keyboard and mouse to one USB port. I have had both a wireless and wired mouse over the years and prefer the wired as I found the wireless easier to knock off onto the floor.

 

[The Highlander]

She's 80 and still uses a computer (especially knowing what she wants)? Impressive.

My grandparents are in their 80s and the most advanced piece of technology that they already struggle with is the VCR!!! They've never used a computer in their life nor do they even want to bother trying.

Nothing to impressive!


Top 10 reasons why grandma should buy an iPad - CNET Asia Blogs: HK Tech Phooey

Facebook grandmother Lillian Lowe, 103, world's oldest member on her iPad | Mail Online


Nothing do with age, it's people who won't learn.

I knew few 70-80's old people still know how to use computers. I met a lot teenagers and they don't know nothing about computer.

 

[Jiro]

She's 80 and still uses a computer (especially knowing what she wants)? Impressive.

My grandparents are in their 80s and the most advanced piece of technology that they already struggle with is the VCR!!! They've never used a computer in their life nor do they even want to bother trying.

same here! I'm impressed that the grandma is much more tech-literate than my mom!

 

[The Highlander]

I agree that the HP laptop with W7 is probably the way to go. She hates her Vista, so, with a little training, I think she can handle the W7. It's no problem for me to go next door and tutor her, and troubleshoot problems that pop up.

I'm thinking about a 15" screen. I know they come 17" but I want to keep it easily portable for her. She's a tiny little lady.

I'm going to let her try out my laptop keyboard. I know that she will need a mouse. I think a wired ergonomic full-size mouse will be comfortable for her. At first I was thinking about the wireless mouse but she might not like having to remember to turn it off and keep track of batteries. A USB attached mouse is easier for her, I think.


Yes, good suggestions. Yes, we should probably turn off the touchpad so she doesn't have to even think about it.

I think we'll get a carrying bag for it also. She may have to move next year, so that would be handy, so she can keep all accessories and documentation together.

With the frequent thunderstorms we have here, it will also be nice that she can unplug her laptop to protect it.

There is logitech mouse design for laptop and battery last around 1 year and it's auto shut down if don't use it for 1 min to save battery life, it will wake up by click a button. The switch on/off for mouse is old technology now. I had one before and I gave it to my wife and she still use it for her work and she love it so much (she hate company's laptop's dot whatever it call on the keyboard and no trackpad)

She love her Macbook air's trackpad so much and no need mouse. I love my macbook's trackpad and better than any PC brand ever I had due size of the trackpad.

 

[Reba]

Not sure if you remember this from my previous post (#3) "What I find makes it much more comfortable for daily use is attaching a full size keyboard and mouse; but then also having the option to disconnect them and take the laptop itself along (with a travel size mouse to use in place of the trackpad)."

I agree, those are good suggestions. She probably won't be traveling except for a one-time move.

For my MacBookPro, I have a medium size wireless mouse for both purposes. I don't really travel with it.

For my Samsung netbook, I have a mini wired mouse. Everything "mini" for my netbook. It works well. In a pinch, I can use the touchpad but I'm not keen about it. My daughter, SIL, and grandsons all prefer touch pads.

I have my laptop sitting where a desktop monitor would and fullsize keyboard & mouse attached with the keyboard on a slide out keyboard drawer that is part of my desk. I prefer the height for all these things with this setup better than using the laptop keyboard.

Good point about the height. She does have a traditional desk with the slide out keyboard drawer and built in wrist rest. She might like using the full-size keyboard there. We'll try it out.

I am not sure how her current keyboard and mouse connect but I am using an adapter (think it was from Walmart) to connect both an old keyboard and mouse to one USB port. I have had both a wireless and wired mouse over the years and prefer the wired as I found the wireless easier to knock off onto the floor.

 

[Glenn]

I never turn off my wireless mouse and the AA battery lasts half a year.

 

[Reba]

There is logitech mouse design for laptop and battery last around 1 year and it's auto shut down if don't use it for 1 min to save battery life, it will wake up by click a button. The switch on/off for mouse is old technology now. I had one before and I gave it to my wife and she still use it for her work and she love it so much (she hate company's laptop's dot whatever it call on the keyboard and no trackpad)

She love her Macbook air's trackpad so much and no need mouse. I love my macbook's trackpad and better than any PC brand ever I had due size of the trackpad.

Interesting about the automatic battery-saver mouse.

 

[Jiro]

1. Has to be user friendly (simple to use).

I think this isn't even an issue since she's able to use Vista and Apple products quite well

2. Has to be compatible with several old files and databases that she has on current PC. She has photo and document files, and various inventory type databases.

with MacBook - it's able to read photos and document files from PC but about database thing... I'm not quite sure about that. Do you know exactly what kind of file? Access?

3. Personal--her husband, 94 years old, only has a few months left to live. He's very sharp and alert but his heart is going downhill. After he dies, she will probably move to the Northeast to live with relatives. That means, I will no longer be her "tech support." Also, I'm thinking that downsizing to a laptop might be practical for her since she will have to move from a 4-bedroom house to one room in a relative's house.

god bless him

4. She's used to HP products but she also loves her Apple iPod and iPad.

Toshiba is great too. and reliable.

5. She's not a trackpad user; must have a good keyboard and mouse.

Not a problem. Any laptop (PC/MAC) can connect to keyboard/mouse via USB/Bluetooth/etc.

At first, I was thinking MacBook would be nice since she likes Apple products. However, I'm worried about compatibility problems. Then again, would she have compatibility problems even with the Windows 7? Some of her files are on very old programs.

based on what you said in previous thread... she uses iPad/iPod for everything and PC for AOL... sounds like she's not gonna touch it for a long time.

she can simply burn them to DVD and store it in USB Thumbdrive and dropbox.com (all 3 for redundancy reason). That way - she can come back to it anytime she wants.

If she has no problem with that - then she should be fine with HP netbook but screen size might be a big issue so just about any cheap HP notebook should be fine. I'd prefer Toshiba but HP is fine.

 

[Jiro]

There is logitech mouse design for laptop and battery last around 1 year and it's auto shut down if don't use it for 1 min to save battery life, it will wake up by click a button. The switch on/off for mouse is old technology now. I had one before and I gave it to my wife and she still use it for her work and she love it so much (she hate company's laptop's dot whatever it call on the keyboard and no trackpad)

She love her Macbook air's trackpad so much and no need mouse. I love my macbook's trackpad and better than any PC brand ever I had due size of the trackpad.

interesting...

Logitech - Marathon Mouse M705

it claims that their mouse can last up to 3 years

 

[whatdidyousay!]

She's 80 and still uses a computer (especially knowing what she wants)? Impressive.

My grandparents are in their 80s and the most advanced piece of technology that they already struggle with is the VCR!!! They've never used a computer in their life nor do they even want to bother trying.

I have a neighbor who is 86 years old and she still her computer. I am going to keep on using mine as long as can to keep in touch with my granddaughter, she is already sending emails and she is 6 years old.

 

[The Highlander]

interesting...

Logitech - Marathon Mouse M705

it claims that their mouse can last up to 3 years

That's good for new logitech mouse. My old logitech mouse is 4 years old.

 

[Reba]

It looks like she's going to get a 15.6" HP laptop next week. Possibly will get an additional keyboard and mouse.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pa...45459552&skuId=2686552&st=hp laptop&cp=1&lp=3

My only concern is transferring her Microsoft Works 9 files to the new computer. I don't think they come loaded with Works. She prefers the Works data base over the MS Office Excel. She keeps stuff like inventories and birthday lists on the files.

 

[Zeroblazer21]

get a liano laptop. its pretty good as i heard