Parents looking for Notebook

[Larnica]

Hi There.

My parents are looking for a Notebook for Emailing, Music, Pictures and Word Processing. I've never owned or worked on an Apple Mac, or Macbook so I was uncertain too reccomend them one.

From what I have read, they are "Easier" and more "Simple" to use. I've had the thought in my head that it will be "Plug and Play" straight from the box, no need to worry about drivers or spyware etc aswell as being much more user friendly.

Anywho, what do you think?

Ta

 

[Basher]

What's their budget? I'm guessing not a lot if all they want is internet browsing, emailing etc. Do they use computers much, e.g. at work etc?

Personally I'd go for a PC laptop, can be had much cheaper, and provide a more familiar interface (assuming they use computers at work)

 

[Caged]

Have they used a computer before? If they currently use a Windows XP machine then tell them to buy another XP machine - it's not worth the headache of them adjusting to a new OS.

Also it's only a matter of time before they wander off and buy a heap of crap all-in-one printer and wonder why it won't work.

 

[Deleted member 651465]

I say go for it if you value your own time.

Then again, if you don't think they can adjust to OS X then it might not be worth the hassle, as Caged said.

I'm getting my dad a MacBook for Christmas, but then I don't mind teaching him a few things because I know it'll save me "my computer is slow" phone calls down the line.

 

[theheyes]

I come across this. Every time someone says "I'm thinking about getting a new computer/laptop" I want to say "try a Mac". Its hard work though convincing people who aren't into technology why they're so expensive, and you also have to take into account not everybody is enthusiastic or even willing to adjust to a new operating system.

Its a bit better these days as you have the option of bunging Windows on it should all hell break loose, but it defeats the point of a Mac.

What time you save in sorting out viruses you lose in "how to I eject my usb pen?", "why won't game X work?", "why cant I open this file?", "why does my online banking website say use this instead?", "how do I install stuff I've downloaded?"

In the end they'll end up saying "I've had enough of this Mac, all I wanted was a laptop I could do X Y and Z with."