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Recommending Computers for Parents
Given that you are currently reading a blog covering technology, it's probably safe to assume that you are a fairly technical person. You're probably the kind of person other people turn to for advice on technology purchases. Assuming that's the case, we have something in common, and I'd like some feedback from you on how you deal with one particularly vexing form of technical advice: recommending computers for parents.
I never hesitate when asked for my opinion on XM vs. Sirius, what cell phone to buy, or which online retailers are the most dependable. But recommending a computer my parents is an entirely different animal. Why? If you've ever been in this situation, the answer is probably on the tip of your tongue: my parent's computer will eventually need technical support.
I'll list my parent's requirements below. Share your thoughts on what computer setup would be the most reliable; requiring the least technical support from me.
How will they use it?
Ninety-eight percent of their computing time is limited to three very common tasks:
- checking email
- surfing the web
- writing letters
The other two percent involves scanning and emailing photos to relatives. They do not use their computer for music, video, graphics editing, VoIP, or gaming. Let's Hear It Given the above requirements, what kind of computer package (hardware & software including utilities like anti-virus) would you recommend? Again, keep in mind that I'm the one they call when something stops working, so reliability is my number one criteria.
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2. Posted by: Ed Kohler on January 14, 2006 11:00 AM:
I'm not particularly concerned about budget, but think it would be fun to look at both how cheaply this could be done and how much it would cost for the ultimate parent computer setup.
3. Posted by: Benjamin Higginbotham on January 14, 2006 5:01 PM:
I have a rule when it comes to family... If they buy ANYTHING other than an Apple Macintosh, I won't support it, period. I'll bend that a wee bit for my parents, but only to a point.
Both of my brothers have Macs, my grandmother has a Mac, my mother has a Mac, and my father is drooling over my mom's mac. I have had a total of 4 phone calls for support over the last few years, and most of those were at be beginning wondering how to do soemthing.
Not one huge issue. I rarely get a phone call, my family LOVES their computers and actually use them for more than use e-mail, web and Word.
There are those who hate Macintosh, and they have typically not used them outside of a school setting, having no idea how great Mac OS X really is. There's the cost argument, which is all how you look at cost: up front cost or TCO. There's the application debate, which is silly since most of what your parents will use is already included with the machine or is easily found... I think they are the BEST made computers on the market, and if you want the fewest phone calls possible, it's the ONLY solution to get.
4. Posted by: Huw Leslie on January 15, 2006 4:38 AM:
I think Dell would be the way to go. They provide cheap, reliable computers and when/if something goes wrong, great support. I don't think that I've ever had a problem with a Dell desktop (other than software based that was probably my fault).
5. Posted by: brendan on January 15, 2006 5:42 AM:
A mac would be a good option. It's a good platform for the tasks it's likely to do in that environment.
If it needs to be a windows environment, then I'd also go Dell. At their price point they do well (particularily support).
6. Posted by: ACB on January 16, 2006 8:43 AM:
I agree with Benjamin re getting them a Mac. I have given my parent two computers. The first was a Gateway, and the second was a Mac. In terms of support calls to me it has been night and day. Constant calls with the PC. Almost none with the Mac. The gateway calls were borne of frustration and generally had to do with something failing or virus/spyware related. The Mac related calls have generally been "do you know if I can" types of questions. They surf the web, read email, and do limited photo stuff. I use/own both Mac and Intel computers - and like both, but I would only recommend Mac/Apple to my parents.
7. Posted by: Raheel Gauba on January 16, 2006 10:51 AM:
Go Mac... My wife switched a year ago, and I switched a month after her. No virus issues... security is unbelievable. The software package out of the box, as Ben suggested, is more than anything typical soft users need...
My uncle bought a $4000 Sony VAIO PC for his daughter 2 years ago and I recieve a phone call every couple of months regarding issues... currently their computer is pretty much unusable and i havent had the time to go and fix it.
I hate supporting PC's because users like mom and dad have no idea what to click on and what not to click on, and at the end they infect their computers with spyware / viruses... trust me... get a mac.
8. Posted by: Roger on January 20, 2006 9:19 AM:
Here's what I do with my parents: Every time I upgrade my system, they inherit my old one. It's always a step better than what they had before and seems to them to be fast as lightning compared to their old one. And it beats giving the old unit to my kids, who are never satisfied with the current set-up, let alone one that is a couple of years old.
9. Posted by: Ed Kohler on January 20, 2006 2:01 PM:
Roger, I like your thinking. That would keep them in a reasonable technical range, and give me yet another excuse to upgrade my own system.
10. Posted by: Vox Publius on March 10, 2007 5:52 PM:
Giving a Windows PC to a parent is cruel....
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1. Posted by: Tim on January 14, 2006 2:41 AM:
I was just wondering what the buget was? Let me know