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Elderly parents

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Original poster

Suitable Laptops for Elderly Mum

16 replies

Catcactus · 14/07/2023 18:40

Hi,
I'm trying to help my 83 year old mum replace her old laptop. I'm not sure of her previous brand but it's very basic. Just wondered if any of you have parents that are using a particular brand/model that ticks all the boxes for an 80+ year old. Her eyesight isn't brilliant and she's not particularly dexterous. Looking for 15 inch model with really good screen quality, battery life and fairly light to have on her lap. I think budget is up to around £800. Used for playing on line bridge and internet shopping mainly. I didn't think Macs would be the go as I have the MacBook (which I love) but think 13 inch is too small and prices rocket after that. Thanks.

OP posts:

cheezncrackers · 14/07/2023 18:43

My parents prefer iPads these days - all touch screen and easy to use.

TakeMe2Insanity · 14/07/2023 18:45

Most elderly people prefer ipads.

LarkRize · 15/07/2023 07:03

Another vote for an iPad - it was the only computer my father ever mastered, at 80, and my mother (86) uses hers far more than her laptop. Also great for FaceTime and teams calls with grandkids.

SurpriseSparDay · 15/07/2023 07:19

iPad … Get the one with the biggest screen.

Honestly, the octo- and nonagenarians in my family cannot be separated from theirs.

(Useful that text size can be increased in Settings.)

Rocknrollstar · 15/07/2023 07:38

iPad definitely

tribpot · 15/07/2023 08:04

If you want to stick with a laptop, since that's what your mum's used to, definitely don't go with a Macbook. The operating system is very different and she might as well go to an iPad if she's going to have to learn a new device.

I'm assuming the current laptop is fairly old so she is going to have to deal with moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11, it's not radically different but she may struggle a bit at first.

It would be worth weighing her current laptop so you can get an idea of what to look for. I have an Acer Swift 5, which is a bit out of your budget, but this thing is light as a feather. I also have an HP laptop which weighs a tonne, it's a very high spec for doing software development so I knew what I was getting into!

Maybe have a look at the Asus Vivobook S15? Which says it has good battery life and display.

hollyblueivy · 15/07/2023 08:20

Came on to say apple ipad with a nice stand

balzamico · 15/07/2023 08:48

I have a keyboard cover/ stand with my iPad that might help her to transition if she's used to a laptop. I think it's Logitech

User10486743 · 15/07/2023 08:53

Either one of the larger iPads or maybe a refurbished iMac, I have an iMac and find it is better for a lot of things like shopping.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 15/07/2023 09:02

I have one of these which I really like:
https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/laptops-2-in-1-pcs/inspiron-15-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3530-laptop

The only thing I would say is that the key movement is very slight, and I've not really got used to that (because I mainly use it with an external keyboard anyway).

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tribpot · 15/07/2023 10:35

You can't go wrong with a Dell @DisplayPurposesOnly , a good suggestion too.

Are you near enough to a John Lewis @Catcactus that she could go in and try a few laptops to get a feel for the keys, the weight, etc?

BabylonianChild · 15/07/2023 18:03

You’d be mad to get anything except an iPad.

Rayna37 · 15/07/2023 18:28

I helped a similarly aged relative choose a Chromebook and they regularly tell me how much they love it. I can't understand all the iPad recommendations all, it's just not the same thing!

Datafan55 · 15/07/2023 19:02

I taught my mid 70s very-intelligent-but-not-so-good-with-technology Mum to use a tablet last month. It took the whole week I was staying as it is so different to a desktop or laptop (with the keyboard etc). However she did pick it up (I hope! - it could be abandoned in the cupboard now :-) ).

As it has a built in mic (as many laptops and tablets would have), I have taught her how to use the 'mic' search on browsers (she isn't very dexterous either so I think this will help (although it was a knack to get her to address the mic and not say 'what do i do now' etc etc!!)).

Just an inherited Huwaei Media pad; nice and light, good visual quality (as many of their phones seem to be too). Smaller than you'd want, but maybe there's a bigger one. Get a plastic 'frame' holder and it's easier to carry and stand up. And get a cheap plastic stylus pen - much easier for them to touch the screen like that (especially if they're not used to touching things with precision).

WeeOrcadian · 15/07/2023 19:42

Another vote for ipad. Even my very tech-phobic dad loves his, coming from him not even knowing how to switch on a laptop - he now browses the news, amongst other things

Original poster

Catcactus · 16/07/2023 00:16

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Really helpful.

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