[Lemon Haze]

My folks who are in their 60's have a 10 year old Dell PC that badly needs replacing, so I'm getting them a replacement for Christmas, but can't decide between a laptop or tablet My budget is £400 and it will between http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...=1&s=computers and an iPad or a Samsung Galaxy tablet.

[Stig]

Do they have PC software they need to run?
Do they need to print?

Tablets are great, but you need to think of their limitations.

[Lemon Haze]

Yes they do need to print, but from what i'm led to believe it's fine on a tablet. Photo software is about the only thing they have on the PC atm, although my stepfather does type letters from time.

[c4rv]

Originally Posted by Lemon Haze

Yes they do need to print, but from what i'm led to believe it's fine on a tablet. Photo software is about the only thing they have on the PC atm, although my stepfather does type letters from time.

printing from tablets is feasible if you have a compatible device and applications that support it.

[alan1302]

I'd go with the laptop if they need photo software and typing

[d'@ve]

On a laptop, they may well not get on with the touchpad, I find them infuriating and I've used them occasionally for years. Even their compact keyboards can be difficult or annoying compared to full size ones. So a tablet may be best, unless they will want to do any proper computing, in which case... it could be back to a desktop I'm afraid.

But you won't know unless you give them the opportunity of trying some out in shops or at friends houses etc. Don't forget that eyes deteriorate by the 60s so they aren't going to appreciate *anything* that has small text on screen, make sure it looks at least as big as what they are used to and that they can read it comfortably from a normal viewing distance.

[RG101]

I'd stick with a desktop pc. These day's you can get a pretty descent one for that kind of cash.

Recently I tried to convert my parents over to a laptop but they found it too inconvenient to use, they absolutly hated the touchpad, the keyboard was small, they moaned about the screen size and not being able to see text properly. I was spending so much time trying to do things for them I just gave up in the end and bought them a new desktop pc with a big screen (tv so they can watch movies on it), honestly I can't get them off the bloody thing now. I did gain a laptop from it so it wasn't all bad

[John259]

I would rule out a tablet - very small screen, nearly impossible to use for typing, can't run any existing programs or easily access existing data files.

A laptop might well be feasible but you'd need to check the screen and keyboard size, and buy it a mouse. You'd also need to decide between Windows 7 or Windows 8 (see separate threads for that debate).

[IvanIV]

That laptop looks nice, big screen, too. You could add USB mouse if touchpad is a problem. W8 could actually work well. You arrange the programmes they use on tiles on start screen at the beginning and it will be easier to use than what they have now. Tablets might be a bit fiddly to use and they are good for pointing at things, not much for typing. Surface RT has what you need, even Office, but it's small.

[flagpole]

i would say that a tablet is primarily for consumption. watching, browsing etc.

you can write the odd email, but not much more.

[-Batman-]

Originally Posted by flagpole

i would say that a tablet is primarily for consumption. watching, browsing etc.

you can write the odd email, but not much more.

I am completely different i use my ipad for everything
Email, web browsing, small gaming etc.

Can actually go weeks before i might even switch the desktop or laptop on

[RobinOfLoxley]

'Folks' are quite fickle (aren't we all) . Discuss it first.

I know it spoils the surprise.

[Lemon Haze]

Thanks for all the advice guys. In the end I went with the laptop and bought it today as it's reduced by £50 and is the cheapest I can find on the net for this model. For £400 I think it will have all my folks will need, especially as my stepfather wants to be able to connect it up to the LCD TV.

[whoever,hey]

Needing to print rules out a tablet.

[d'@ve]

Originally Posted by Lemon Haze

Thanks for all the advice guys. In the end I went with the laptop and bought it today as it's reduced by £50 and is the cheapest I can find on the net for this model. For £400 I think it will have all my folks will need, especially as my stepfather wants to be able to connect it up to the LCD TV.

You took a bit of a chance there unless they've used one before and got on with it! Many older people don't (as already explained in the thread). I hope you have a backup plan but either way, good luck!

[IvanIV]

17'' is quite big though, there were times when 17'' monitor for desktop was _huge_. Touchpad could be a problem, but an USB mouse for a few quid will solve that.

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by IvanIV

17'' is quite big though, there were times when 17'' monitor for desktop was _huge_. Touchpad could be a problem, but an USB mouse for a few quid will solve that.

Oh, no - I'd hate only a 17" screen for my main PC - I've a 22" monitor and would like a little bigger than that.

[whoever,hey]

Originally Posted by alan1302

Oh, no - I'd hate only a 17" screen for my main PC - I've a 22" monitor and would like a little bigger than that.

Surely only the OP knows what screen size they are used to?

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by whoever,hey

Surely only the OP knows what screen size they are used to?

I was not talking to the OP though - was replying to Ivan who said a 17" screen is quite large enough.

[-Batman-]

Originally Posted by alan1302

Oh, no - I'd hate only a 17" screen for my main PC - I've a 22" monitor and would like a little bigger than that.

I have a 24" and to me that's the perfect size not to big to sit in front of and doesn't take too much space up on the desk

[flagpole]

Originally Posted by -Batman-

I am completely different i use my ipad for everything
Email, web browsing, small gaming etc.

Can actually go weeks before i might even switch the desktop or laptop on

yeah but those are still consumption tasks. persumably if you had to write a letter?

[Magic Cottage]

If you have £400 to spend I'm leaning towards the desktop vote. They have a desktop and by what you say have had for a number of years, so they will be familiar with the concept. I have a tablet, a laptop and a desktop. Despite what people say, they all have their place and uses. You can print from a tablet but frankly, I have noted that your stepfather like to type letters. If these are more than a few sentences or paragraphs doing those on a tablet would be a pain.

So, I would replace like with like and as others have said £400 will buy a very decent desktop.

[call100]

Originally Posted by d'@ve

You took a bit of a chance there unless they've used one before and got on with it! Many older people don't (as already explained in the thread). I hope you have a backup plan but either way, good luck!

Mmmm, ...Using a laptop is no different to using a desktop for the majority of tasks. A bluetooth mouse is all that's required to give them a similar experience.....
Most of the retired people I know have laptops as they fit better into their downsized apartments and they can take it to the holiday home if they have one....
Our local retirement home has a small Office with two laptops for the residents to use and they don't seem to have any problems emailing, skyping and surfing.
Eyesight is no problem as they all have the necessary glasses which seem to do the job for which they were intended....
My mother in law (late 60's) loves her iPad and does everything on that....
so the older members of society are not that easy to pigeon hole as a lot of people think...
Only the OP will know what suits his parents best....

[IvanIV]

Originally Posted by alan1302

I was not talking to the OP though - was replying to Ivan who said a 17" screen is quite large enough.

I have 24'' monitor at work and 17'' and 13'' laptops at home. All are great for what I use them for. It's all a matter of preference