Computer for grandparents

[Mr Technician]

My grandparents are finally deciding to get onto the internet and I have been delegated the task of finding something inexpensive but still functional for them. I've built many computers but honestly do not know where to start with budget devices. I know the most they'll be doing is streaming a church service and accessing email, so they don't need a powerful device. Still, I want something with an ssd (or something that I can swap an ssd into) for fast boot times. My initial thought was a chromebook but I want to be able to remotely control it over VNC in case they have any questions. Perhaps a cheap windows 10 laptop like this would work?

 

Edit: forgot the link: https://www.microcenter.com/product/513581/inspiron-15-3567-156-laptop-computer---black

[themctipers]

does it have to be a laptop?

I think chromebooks can be controlled remotely:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chrome-remote-desktop/gbchcmhmhahfdphkhkmpfmihenigjmpp

[Mr Technician]

Just now, themctipers said:

does it have to be a laptop?

I think chromebooks can be controlled remotely:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chrome-remote-desktop/gbchcmhmhahfdphkhkmpfmihenigjmpp

A laptop would be most convenient, yes. I was not aware of that, thanks.

[DrMacintosh]

Are they specifically looking for laptops? Why not a desktop which can be easily configured and used by both them and easily logged into by you? 

 

I'm thinking the b*tch tier Mac Mini. Lets face it Windows 10 is not grand parent friendly, macOS Mojave is very grandparent friendly.  

[themctipers]

4 minutes ago, DrMacintosh said:

Are they specifically looking for laptops? Why not a desktop which can be easily configured and used by both them and easily logged into by you? 

 

I'm thinking the b*tch tier Mac Mini. Lets face it Windows 10 is not grand parent friendly, macOS Mojave is very grandparent friendly.  

troubleshooting mac problems as a mainly windows user is a pain in the ass, as the things you expect aren't there/true

 

[DrMacintosh]

2 minutes ago, themctipers said:

troubleshooting mac problems as a mainly windows user is a pain in the ass, as the things you expect aren't there/true

 

That’s the thing, macOS is very set it and forget it. Especially since you can straight up disable updates. 

 

But that is true. Then again wouldn’t the same logic apply to a ChromeBook? 

[Mr Technician]

2 minutes ago, DrMacintosh said:

Are they specifically looking for laptops? Why not a desktop which can be easily configured and used by both them and easily logged into by you? 

 

I'm thinking the b*tch tier Mac Mini. Lets face it Windows 10 is not grand parent friendly, macOS Mojave is very grandparent friendly.  

They don't have a good place for a desktop and I see them using it at their kitchen table, so definitely a laptop. And yes, windows 10 isn't super friendly but I've never used macos myself, and mac minis start at $800...

[themctipers]

Just now, DrMacintosh said:

That’s the thing, macOS is very set it and forget it. Especially since you can straight up disable updates. 

 

But that is true. Then again wouldn’t the same logic apply to a ChromeBook? 

because it's literally just a laptop running chrome

[Donut417]

5 minutes ago, DrMacintosh said:

That’s the thing, macOS is very set it and forget it. Especially since you can straight up disable updates. 

 

But that is true. Then again wouldn’t the same logic apply to a ChromeBook? 

No, about any one could figure out a Chromebook. My dad is in his 60s and easily mastered Chrome OS, as there really isnt any type of advanced settings. The hardest part of using a Chromebook is setting up a Google account. After that its a breeze. Where as Windows and MacOS are much more advanced OS's and in some cases decisions have to be made that can cause issues for usability and or security of the device. Chrome OS auto updates and really has nothing you have to make a decision about as everything runs in the cloud. 

[straight_stewie]

Well, if all they want to do is websurf, I would pick a Unix like operating system. I know that makes it somewhat harder for you to maintain it for them, but it's significantly more grandparent proof.

My grandma uses Win 10, and I am constantly having to remove all sorts of garbage that she's downloaded, installed, or clicked "yes" on. Her uses (mainly genealogy) actually do require her to be able to download things and applications from time to time, so I can't just turn off that privilege.

[SupaKomputa]

Yes a laptop would be very convinient, as they can move it around when they need to.

Celeron / Atom / Pentium would be just fine. a 2200u would be nicer.

with 4gb minimum, ssd is not needed, Just make sure its not a rubbish MMC storage.

The laptop would be faster than they could click the mouse (just kidding).

A chromebook need internet to work, can they setup a proper internet connections without you?

28 minutes ago, DrMacintosh said:

I'm thinking the b*tch tier Mac Mini. Lets face it Windows 10 is not grand parent friendly, macOS Mojave is very grandparent friendly.  

Just save their favorite programs in the taskbar, just like in macos. OS is just the platform, you still need to learn the basic.

 

[SupaKomputa]

2 minutes ago, straight_stewie said:

My grandma uses Win 10, and I am constantly having to remove all sorts of garbage that she's downloaded, installed, or clicked "yes" on. Her uses (mainly genealogy) actually do require her to be able to download things and applications from time to time, so I can't just turn off that privilege.

You can get her a non administrative account with installing priviledge disabled.

When it is time to install something you can use remote desktop to assist her (i assume this is not often).

[Guest]

My 90~ year old grandparents have a dell desktop with an older i5. It’s good for email & watching online shows/checking sport scores

 

my other 70~ year old grandparent has an iPad mini & iPhone. 

[Origami Cactus]

I also recommend a Chrome Book. It is really nice, also the Chrome Remote desktop works good, so that is also a plus.

[Timhortons]

Cheapest Dell precision with ubuntu

[AqHu]

I'd definitely go with a Chromebook!

Chromebooks provide great performance for very cheap, the simplistic OS is easy to navigate and secure, the Google Play Store provides easy access to plenty of apps, the entire system runs extremely fast, and the online experience is at least as good as a Windows device.

The only reason to go with a PC would be the necessity to run system intensive programs.

[Mr Technician]

10 minutes ago, AqHu said:

I'd definitely go with a Chromebook!

Chromebooks provide great performance for very cheap, the simplistic OS is easy to navigate and secure, the Google Play Store provides easy access to plenty of apps, the entire system runs extremely fast, and the online experience is at least as good as a Windows device.

The only reason to go with a PC would be the necessity to run system intensive programs.

I'm leaning toward a chromebook at this point. Does the remote control allow the entire screen to be shown or just a tab? And does it work like VNC in that both the remote control user and local user can see the screen?

 

Edit: Any recommended models for this usage? They don’t need a flashy chromebook either.

Edited January 26, 2019 by ThatFlashCat

[AqHu]

2 hours ago, ThatFlashCat said:

I'm leaning toward a chromebook at this point. Does the remote control allow the entire screen to be shown or just a tab? And does it work like VNC in that both the remote control user and local user can see the screen?

 

Edit: Any recommended models for this usage? They don’t need a flashy chromebook either.

You'll be able to see the entire screen and you'll have full control of the Chromebook, including removing or adding apps and viewing the file system.

Here's an article that should prove helpful: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/remotely-connect-chromebook-windows-10/

 

As far as choosing a model goes, just go with the cheapest device that meets your requirements that's from a reputable brand. Even a low-end Chromebook will provide more than adequate performance for web-browsing. Also, feel free to go with a manufacturer refurbished model to save money; it should still come with the full warranty and customer support, so you don't really lose anything.

[themctipers]

7 hours ago, campy said:

There's a lot more to chromeOS than meets the eye

 

I've used it before, but you can't possibly fuck it to the point of it's unusable 

[Mr Technician]

How about this? It's only got a Celeron and 4GB of RAM but that should be plenty for chrome OS. As long as they can stream video on it it can do everything they need it to: https://www.google.com/chromebook/device/asus-chromebook-c423/

[Tristerin]

1 minute ago, ThatFlashCat said:

How about this? It's only got a Celeron and 4GB of RAM but that should be plenty for chrome OS. As long as they can stream video on it it can do everything they need it to: https://www.google.com/chromebook/device/asus-chromebook-c423/

I think its way to much $$$ for what it is.  Id get them a refurbished system imho, from somewhere like Newegg.

[Tristerin]

2 minutes ago, ThatFlashCat said:

How about this? It's only got a Celeron and 4GB of RAM but that should be plenty for chrome OS. As long as they can stream video on it it can do everything they need it to: https://www.google.com/chromebook/device/asus-chromebook-c423/

Heres an i5 4th gen for WAY cheaper - 8gb of ram, SSD, Windows 10

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834269757&ignorebbr=1

[Mr Technician]

6 minutes ago, Tristerin said:

Heres an i5 4th gen for WAY cheaper - 8gb of ram, SSD, Windows 10

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834269757&ignorebbr=1

On some level I like the easy to use nature of Chrome OS and it's far harder for them to break it.  Still, chromebooks seem rather overpriced...

 

Edit: I also don't want to get an old 4th gen chip now since they will keep this device for a while.

Edited January 27, 2019 by ThatFlashCat