[lagerstarfish]

My strange, but frighteningly intelligent, Mother has lost a lot of mobility, packed in the booze (yes really) and has expressed an interest in having a go at using the internet. A desktop is not really an option - she spends time in several different rooms, but cannot move between them quickly.

She won't be doing much gaming or video editing and probably won't be ready for Linux for a good couple of months. My Dad, Sister and I all use windaz; and since we will be the initial tutors, this will be the preferred OS. She reads ridiculously fast by taking in big chunks of text at once, so a big screen would suit her.

I propose a mouse at first, but are there any machines which have particularly usable track-pads? Actually, has anyone got any recommendations for an easy to use first mouse for the over 70s?

We're all putting together for a joint present which gives us a good £350, but we could go higher if I sell Jasper's S2.

Any opinions on what to get the batty old genius?

Cheers

[sidewinder]

If just/mainly for the internet then maybe worth thinking about these new Chromebooks http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Wi-Fi-Chromebook-Titan-Silver/dp/B0057X6FRM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1323251890&sr=8-2 no experience of them, but sounds like it would get around the complications of learning most of the other things regarding computers and allow one to get to grips with using the internet.  Also long battery life, just switch on and go and would leave you £50 in your budget to buy a mouse/case/etc.

With google docs she would also be able to do as much office stuff as anyone not employed would be able to.  Additionally as it is effectively Linux without you seeing it, it may well save you time in terms of it not getting viruses/randomly breaking etc. Since installing ubuntu on my parents desktop which they use almost exclusively for the internet it has saved me a lot of time in terms of it not breaking as the windows machine always seemed to.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Have a look on the Dell outlet store, currently plenty of Inspiron 15's from £245 delivered.

http://www.dell.co.uk/outlet

Regarding mice options, tricky to say, if she's sat in an armchair or sofa she may be best learning the trackpad, if shes sat at a desk/table then a wireless mouse is probably better. Some people with restricted hand movement get on well with trackball mice although they aren't exactly portable.

http://www.ebuyer.com/60266-kensington-optical-trackball-expert-mouse-usb-ps2-64325

The other option of course is a tablet, although iPads start at more than your budget I think. Not the biggest fan personally but definitely good for surfing/reading/battery life/people who struggle to use mice etc

[lagerstarfish]

Thanks for the replies.

Looks like I'll be getting a refurbed Dell

They had a an Inspiron 17R at a good price yesrterday, but it's gone now

The refurbed 15s seem like good value

[tomtom]

Dell outlet is a good option - I've just picked up a machine from there with a slightly older procesor spec for c.60% of the list price... they change hourly too... (and in the evening) so worth checking every once in a while...

Also, as they are refurb/returned/unwanted/unsold machines there is no lead time so delivery is less than a week. if you buy one to order you can wait a month - or more... (thats just Dell boy machines though..)

Otherwise, lots of good Xmas deals already on the telly recently from PC-Wankers, Agros, Comet and the usual suspects...

[Jaspersharpe]

You've probably already noticed but be aware those Dell prices are exclusive of VAT and delivery (although they sometimes do free delivery). When I got my PC their deals looked good until I realised this and it turned out Ebuyer kicked their arse.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Argos are listing quite a few laptops particularly Toshiba ones under £300, although stocks seem quite limited if you try and reserve any. Ebuyer don't have anything under £350 currently.

[ShortRound]

If it's just the internet she wants then why not think of an Ipad? For someone who has never used a computer before they have to be the most intuitive way of getting the internet, I've seen 3 year olds who can navigate their way through an Ipad with no problems.

No need to worry about a mouse as it's all touch screen.

[slackline]

If it's just the internet she wants then why not think of an Ipad?

Look at the budget.

[ShortRound]

Look at the budget.

Ah, whoops. Although they're only £49 outside the budget.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Coincidently our 60+ neighbour brought round her new Android tablet last night. £200 from Curry's or somewhere, an Archos one running 3.2. Didn't play with it for long but seemed pretty good.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

On a sort of related note, anyone seen any decent deals on an external harddrive? 500gig or 1T?

[slackline]

On a sort of related note, anyone seen any decent deals on an external harddrive? 500gig or 1T?

Nope, but HD prices in general are rather inflated at the moment due to floods in Thailand.

[lagerstarfish]

Thanks again for your input, people.

I scored a refurbished Dell Inspiron 17R from the outlet store (17.3", i3, 4GB RAM, 640GB HD, 1GB GeForce, Windows 9) for £348 delivered.

Result

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Thanks again for your input, people.

I scored a refurbished Dell Inspiron 17R from the outlet store (17.3", i3, 4GB RAM, 640GB HD, 1GB GeForce, Windows 9) for £348 delivered.

Result

Good work, she'll be on WoW before you know it with that badboy.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

On a sort of related note, anyone seen any decent deals on an external harddrive? 500gig or 1T?

Proved a theory right that stock is slower to turn over (hence increase in price) in high street stores, just got a WD 500g portable USB3.0 drive for £59 from Comet, Amazon sell it for £69.