I'd like an inexpensive computer for my neighbor

[Shel_B]

My neighbor is a 90yo woman with almost no knowledge about computers. Her current machine is an ancient HP that barely runs. I'd like to find a desktop/tower machine that can fit under her desk that offers good wireless accessibility and which will be used almost 100% for online shopping, watching sports and streaming services like Netflix, and, of course, email. I just need the box as I have a really nice, big, Dell screen that I'll give her. She'll need speakers of some sort, probably something like Bluetooth. Sound needn't be high-end, but her hearing is bad, so the sound must be clear and able to have some volume.

She's been happy with the HP brand, and it's comfortable for her. I have a Dell account and can get interest-free financing. That's helpful, but not a requirement.

I've seen some all-in-one machines that look interesting, similar to this in style and features. What are your thoughts on these?

HP All-in-One

Is there something out there that'll last her the rest of her life (remember, she's 90) for about $500.00 or so, maybe less? More than likely I'll be loaning her the $$ if not making her a gift of the machine.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Chromebook. Cheap and much easier interface.

 

[Shel_B]

Chromebook. Cheap and much easier interface.

Isn't a Chromebook a laptop? Maybe I wasn't clear about the desire for a desktop/tower type machine. I thought metioning that something that can fit under her desk covered that ... my bad if I was unclear. I fixed that in the original post. Otherwise, A Chromebook would be a good choice. Thanks.

 

[DemoFly]

Honestly, anything with a modern laptop/desktop class CPU and SSD will far exceed her use case. I personally wouldn't buy that all in one because it has a netbook class CPU from 2019.

I wish Microsoft would make a release of windows that is devoid of all the elder abuse, but they are pretty adamant about including it. It really sucks because old folk essentially require a computer to survive if not under the care of someone else.

 

[PandaBear]

They are all pretty similar these days as long as you buy the right "grade". I personally like Lenovo best and HP worst and Dell in the middle, but you do you. I got my dad an HP with AMD Ryzen 7 a few years back for only $450, and after adding a stick of RAM it is really great for his use and is still going strong.

 

[ripcord]

For the use case you describe, a $200 mini pc would provide everything she'll ever conceivably want to do with it.

Amazon.com

 

[hrv]

I have had good luck with Acer Chromebook...You can get a laptop for around 200 bucks at Wal Mart...

 

[joegreen]

I wouldnt get a tower. Get something small maybe even with passive cooling so no need to keep dust out. What about a mac mini?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Towers are pretty specialized and expensive these days. There considered "gaming" computers at this point. My kid built hers - was likely $800 or so when it was done.

I agree maybe a laptop with a HDMI output to a bigger screen if needed. Although a 17 inch screen is available in a notebook.

I would suggest if she is already on windows, stay with windows, even though windows sucks. No need to relearn to chrome at this point.

I have had decent luck taking old discarded laptops and loading them up with ram and swapping to an SSD. Maybe you can find one around you can just upgrade?

 

[Nukeman7]

Isn't a Chromebook a laptop? Maybe I wasn't clear about the desire for a desktop/tower type machine. I thought metioning that something that can fit under her desk covered that ... my bad if I was unclear. I fixed that in the original post. Otherwise, A Chromebook would be a good choice. Thanks.

The desktop version of a Chromebook laptop is a Chromebox.

However, if she doesn't use Gmail and Google products, there will be a small learning curve.


If a Windows 11 PC is her preference, any of the Beelink brand mini PC boxes would be perfect.

These compact Logitech Z207 speakers are both wired and Bluetooth compatible. The sound is loud, full, and clear...perfect for someone with impaired hearing. In fact, we use them in a large professional classroom setting at work.

 

[Shel_B]

@Nukeman7 ... thank you for the information and for providing links. Whether or not we go Chrome (never heard of a ChromeBOX, thanks), the info is very helpful. The Beelink and the Logitech speakers are choices into which I'll definitely look.

I've been very happy with the few Logitech products I've used but Beelink is new to me. Price and size would be great for my neighbor's situation and I like your description of the speakers. From what you say, they sound to be a good choice for her, and the speakers may be a nice replacement for my old Bluetooth unit.

 

[Nukeman7]

@Nukeman7 ... thank you for the information and for providing links. Whether or not we go Chrome (never heard of a ChromeBOX, thanks), the info is very helpful. The Beelink and the Logitech speakers are choices into which I'll definitely look.

I've been very happy with the few Logitech products I've used but Beelink is new to me. Price and size would be great for my neighbor's situation and I like your description of the speakers. From what you say, they sound to be a good choice for her, and the speakers may be a nice replacement for my old Bluetooth unit.

Shel: I bought the Beelink I posted above for the wife (a senior computer professional) earlier this year and it has been flawless. Beelink is highly regarded in the mini Windows PC field and is well reviewed in several trades magazines. The Logitech Z207 speakers are such good performers that I insisted on them for our classroom at work.

 

[Vil_Riker]

I would try to keep the user interface as similar to the old computer, which I assume runs XP, as possible.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Hardware is easy. Can she deal with Win 11? I recall you were not happy with it. I am warming up to it.

I recently purchased and use this for web browsing and also excel and word processing. Boots in 20 seconds.

and you could share your microsoft 365 account with her. (dimensions: 10 x 12 x 4" 7 lbs)

 

[bowlofturtle]

If you didn't accept the role yet, be prepare to be full on IT person for anything remotely close to the computer issues. Its just how it goes, its one of those, "my microwave is not as hot as before since the PC has been around" I do this for my parents and that's about it. I get trying to be nice but it does come with more issues.

From what you stated, a Chromebook completely closed and hooked up to a mouse/keyboard and monitor could be really nice.

Or those little NUC boxes are always good with the physical power button being easy. These days most are built-in and overall decent. A little thinking outside the box, i would think a smart TV with netflix access could solve most except for online shopping. Does she really want to sit at a computer desk to watch a movie?

 

[Shel_B]

Hardware is easy. Can she deal with Win 11? I recall you were not happy with it. I am warming up to it.

I recently purchased and use this for web browsing and also excel and word processing. Boots in 20 seconds.

and you could share your microsoft 365 account with her. (dimensions: 10 x 12 x 4" 7 lbs)


View attachment 239838

I'm sure she'd be able to handle Win 11.
I don't have a 365 account.
The machine you've shown has dimensions which should work for er.
Thanks!

 

[tmorris1]

I'm sure she'd be able to handle Win 11.
I don't have a 365 account.
The machine you've shown has dimensions which should work for er.
Thanks!

The BeeLink will be a much faster PC for cheaper.

 

[Shel_B]

If you didn't accept the role yet, be prepare to be full on IT person for anything remotely close to the computer issues. Its just how it goes, its one of those, "my microwave is not as hot as before since the PC has been around" I do this for my parents and that's about it. I get trying to be nice but it does come with more issues.

From what you stated, a Chromebook completely closed and hooked up to a mouse/keyboard and monitor could be really nice.

Or those little NUC boxes are always good with the physical power button being easy. These days most are built-in and overall decent. A little thinking outside the box, i would think a smart TV with netflix access could solve most except for online shopping. Does she really want to sit at a computer desk to watch a movie?

I'm not concerned about helping her. We've been friends for almost a decade and know what she's like and what she needs. I want to help her, and I can help her. Yeah, it can be a little much at times, but what are friends for? I consider myself lucky to have a circle of friends that I can help and who can help me.

She has a Smart TV and I'm in the process of setting it up for her. I looked at it just yesterday to see what's needed and to get oriented. In fairly short order I'll have her up and running on all fronts

I don't know what a NUC box is.

 

[Shel_B]

The BeeLink will be a much faster PC for cheaper.

From what I've seen thus far, I agree with you. The Beelink looks to be a great option. But I don't close any doors until I've walked through them first. Thanks for jumping in.

 

[NorthstarredToyota]

I don't know what a NUC box is.

Intel's "Next Unit of Computing", a small Mac Mini sized device, discontinued by Intel but picked up or sold to Asus.

Intel and ASUS Agree to Term Sheet to Take Intel NUC Systems Product...

Intel and ASUS agree to term sheet to manufacture, sell and support 10th to 13th Gen NUC systems product line and to develop future innovative NUC systems product designs.

www.intel.com

Shel B, have you considered a Mac Mini for her?

I thought I saw you would qualify for an education discount (about $100 off), but that was Nukeman--but, if you have a student or teacher in your family, know a student or teacher, or probably know someone who knows a teacher or student you should be able to get the discount.

Buy Mac

Receive a discount on a new Mac for your studies with Apple Education Pricing. Available for students, teachers and staff.

www.apple.com

VERY well made machine, stable, fast, uses very little electricity, small and unobtrusive.

And, I just looked at Apple Refurbs, which are basically as good as new off the shelf, but no Mac Minis there except a very high end one:

Refurbished Mac - Mac mini

Save up to 15% on a refurbished Mac mini. Tested and certified by Apple including a 1-year warranty. Free delivery and returns.

www.apple.com

I would not get a refurb anywhere else.

But: Mac OS is stable, has everything she needs:

offers good wireless accessibility and which will be used almost 100% for online shopping, watching sports and streaming services like Netflix, and, of course, email. I just need the box

Great wireless, Safari is a great browser, but Chrome and Firefox and others easily available, sports, streaming, email (Apple's MacOS Email program is pretty good, but of course many other options.)

Doesn't run as Admin so malware less of a concern (not completely impossible but doubt she will be in any bad neighborhoods on the internet--phishing and the like more a concern with her?)

Side note: a few months ago a top admin at a San Diego non profit casually came in with some gift cards she'd just gone out and purchased since "the CEO had asked me to get these and send the code numbers on the back as soon as possible!" Phishers (spear phishers in this case, they addressed her by name and had been in their email long enough to look around and have some inside knowledge) had her buy a few thousand dollars worth of cards as "thank yous" to donors and sponsors--someone saw what was going on, stopped her, and actually phoned CEO to confirm yeah, that is not a thing we do.

Anyway, Mac Mini would work great for her. Oh: options for visibility/eyesight issues, sound should not be an issue--Apple really does generally "just work", and the M1 chip more than fast enough for her, and cost is low and service is there if needed.