Everyone needs a computer these days, it seems. Because of this, you may be looking into a computer for the eldest members of your household, your parents or grandparents. And if you’re looking at buying a new computer, you see that there are literally tens of thousands of options.
Before we can talk about what computers might be best for the senior in your life, we need to look at the needs your senior has in their computer. For seniors who are not tech savvy, they will need a computer that is:
- Easy to use
- Easy to protect from viruses
- Low-maintenance
These attributes will make the computer user-friendly for your elderly family member, even without them having to understand how to take care of a computer. We should also consider what the senior in your life is going to use the computer for; are they going to be writing their memoirs, watching a few movies on Netflix, and using Skype or a similar application? Then they don’t need much in the way of processing power. Are they more tech savvy? Do they game and create their own YouTube videos? Then they will need a more powerful computer.
The final consideration is mobility, the classic struggle between the mobile (laptop) or the more powerful (desktop). A similarly-powered computer can be a thousand dollars cheaper in a desktop form, but desktops are hard to move. For the senior on the go, a laptop would be a much better choice.
Now, let’s take a look at the computers themselves.
The High-End Laptop: Apple MacBook Pro 15 Inch
The MacBook Pro 15 inch is a powerful computer. If your elderly relative needs a gaming rig, you’ll need to look elsewhere, but if they want a laptop that will last for years without the need for an upgrade, and one that will be able to run almost anything they can think of doing, this is the computer for your senior. Apple OS are also less prone to viruses and the like, which is a plus. Theses laptops can be up to 2000 dollars or so, though, but they’re a good investment in the long-term, especially if your senior loves music, film, and an easy-to-use interface.
The Budget Laptop: Asus ZenBook
Coming in at a price that is about a third that of the MacBook Pro, the Asus ZenBook is a slim computer that comes with Windows 10 ready-to-go. It has a powerful processor, and is thin enough and light enough to be easy to move. The only real downside is that there are limits to the storage; it comes with a 256GB solid state hard drive. You may want to consider, therefore, an additional purchase of an external hard drive. Make sure, also, to purchase an anti-virus program.
The High-End Desktop: Apple iMac Series
The Apple iMac is a computer that many readers will remember from school, but it is also a great option for your senior. They build the processors and innards of the computer into the screen, too, so you don’t need to worry about taking up too much space in their room. They’re just as simple to work with as their MacBook relatives, and more powerful by far. The price range varies, but you can be spending anywhere from 1500 to 2400 easily. Still, they’re a great computer, they’re less prone to viruses, and they last a long time.
The Low-End Desktop: Dell Insprion 24 3000 (Intel) Touch
Dell’s Inspiron line, much like the iMac, puts all the pieces into the screen. This frees up desk space and means there’s less to deal with for your senior. The Inspiron 24 3000 costs about eight hundred dollars and comes equipped with an Intel i5-7200U processor, 1TB hard drive, and an Intel graphics card. It will allow your elderly loved one to enjoy their favorite websites, movies, and shows, and to do so at a lower price point than the iMac could make possible. Once again, just be sure to buy anti-virus software, and your senior should be fine.
If you’re still searching for a great computer, just be sure that you consider what your senior needs, and what you’re willing to spend. Don’t get them an expensive computer if they don’t need the processing power.