Best computer for an elderly person who is all there but has absolutely no experience of using a computer, ever, and is rather worried about it!

[Shiveringsward]

I want to buy an elderly relative a fairly simple "starter" computer.

Nothing too complicated.

The plan is that she will be doing banking and supermarket grocery orders and looking on Facebook. Also a few accounts.

I think Android will be best as everyone else in the family has an Android.

Any suggestions please are all they all much of a muchness? The reason I ask is that I am not terribly knowledgeable about computers either.

TIA for any advice.

Voice of dissent but I don't think there is much between ipad and good android tablet, and definitely not to someone who hasn't used similar and will only be using basic functions (apart from price, obvs).

So OP if you are an android user, get them a biggish android tablet, or whatever you use, so you can describe what the apps look like over the phone.

How will they access internet?

Get a reconditioned one if cost is an issue. We did that with the one for MIL

There is something called a granpad tablet which comes with internet and support targeted at this age group but it is not cheap! We are looking at smart TV options as tablet not been grasped ( mental block too scary)but able to use TV control well recording etc and voice control with an alexa.

DinosaurofFire thank you so much for all of those really helpful nuggets of advice! I have cut and pasted it to my phone for when I make my choice!

And thank you again to everyone who has posted on here. It is really great to hear about all the successful silver surfers out there!

iPad here again recommended

Bought for my grandmother last year when she ended up in hospital and covid meant no visitors. Apple store set everything up, and the nurses knew how it worked easily as it’s well known brand so kindly helped show her how to call and answer FaceTime. Meant she wasn’t so alone.

She now FaceTimes at least 1-2 times per week to see great grandson and just told me she’s done her first online shop

TheSpottedZebra her other niece is sorting out the Wi Fi bit! And noted about the large Android tablet. I will compare with Ipad, thank you.

Bravo to your 100 year old aunt 521Jeanie!

Thanks again everyone! Back to the coal face now but really, really appreciate all of these responses, bless you all! My aunt will hopefully be really happy with "the big surprise" this Christmas!

We got my 80 year old mum a reconditioned ipad, it was perfect. Still going strong 2 years later.

My dad is in his 80's he has a PC, laptop and tablet, he uses them in that order.

It' not just about the computer itself it's about typing and being comfortable. Also font size / colour and ease of changing them can be an issue.

Age UK pre covid did computing courses for older people, they may have re started.

I considered getting my dad an alexa but he is totally scared of mine and won't even try to turn the lights on and off.

The local paper shop is closing down so he is thinking he might have to read his paper online, he's not too happy about that.

Years and years ago I checked into a hotel with the octogenarian. Receptionist asked if we’d like a newspaper delivered to our rooms in the morning. Just as I was about to reply, thinking it would be a nice treat, a steely voice behind me replied

“No, thank you. I have my iPad.”

It was so cool!

@TheSpottedZebra

Voice of dissent but I don't think there is much between ipad and good android tablet, and definitely not to someone who hasn't used similar and will only be using basic functions (apart from price, obvs).

So OP if you are an android user, get them a biggish android tablet, or whatever you use, so you can describe what the apps look like over the phone.

How will they access internet?

I agree that an android tablet would probably be better than an iPad if you are not techy and an android user.

It was a nightmare when my DM chose a tablet that used a different operating system. She is about as tech savvy as a teenager but if she ever needed help it took hours of googling and trying to talk her through menus and buttons I had never seen, whereas I could have told her what to do in a millisecond if she had had the same tablet as the rest of the family.

Two ipads.
One for you, one for them.
Then you can seamlessly facetime, message, help with purchasing things (by using Family function) and provide remote help "it's the one that is a little circle like a compass at the bottom"

Another vote for the ipad. My aunt is 75 and totally unfamiliar with computers before but really likes her ipad.

We get our ipads from Morgan computers. Beware though, Apple are evil in updating operating system so your apps stop working. My Ipad air has just refused Google Books as it won't update to the latest Ios. (although that might be an Apple/Google fallout). I think you just have to suck it up if you want the functionality.

Must admit my iPad suggestion is posited on the rest of her family gradually transitioning from Clunkville to something Apple-y, for seamless interaction.

I'm also going against the grain. I've recently bought myself a HP Chromebook and it's so easy to use. I'm pretty technophobic myself but am well chuffed with it. It's a laptop but the keyboard folds around it completely so you can them use it as a tablet.

Ah, I know someone whose Chromebook caused them endless minor frustrations; since they bought an iPad they’ve hardly touched the other thing.

We get it Edmontina, you are an Apple fangirl!

Tbh I have no particular love for Apple per se, but it’s been a very long 20 months …

Years ago my closest family lived on a different continent and had to make a trip into the nearest city, for a pre-booked phone call, any time they wanted to speak to me. I so wish we’d had FT then, and don’t know how I’d have got through lockdowns without it.

It's a fair point that it might be easier to sort out remote issues if she has a similar type of tablet to those others family members have but don't think just having an android one would be enough- I don't find my fire tablet particularly similar in terms of set up to my Samsung phone, for example, and high range Samsungs have additional settings that mean I can't assume something might be in the same place as it is on my mid range one. So unless someone in the family has an very similar tablet I wouldn't be stressing too much about that.

I would focus on comfort of use (so how heavy it is and size of screen as main factors). Anything else that increases price is usually storage or how fast it runs, which probably won't be of benefit for what she will use it for (e.g. gaming, very high media downloads, etc.)

And whichever you end up getting I would definitely get a case to go with it. My gran doesn't take hers out of the case -i think it makes it feel a bit more solid to hold, protects just in case of drops, and most cases you can use to prob the tablet up so she can talk/watch TV hands free. That is the other advance of a big name tablet like the fire, ipad or a Samsung one -you will usually find more accessories to go with it.

Yes, my 90yo gran handles her iPad well. She can email, Facetime, and look at recipes etc on the BBC site. She never really got to grips with an actual computer, despite my dad's best efforts!

I have a 10yo iPad that's still going strong and is fine for video calls, web browsing, etc. so there's definitely deals to be had on older and refurbished entry-level models for basic use.

Another vote for iPad

Were are you, OP, if you don't mind sharing? There might be someone from your country here who understands about pricing and specs.

Back from work and reading through more replies - thank you for them - all the advice is much appreciated.

I have noted the tips about the weight, ease of use and comfort plus cover! Will take that on board!

Going to read the rest in the morning when I am less tired. Thank you again everyone!

Chrome book.