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+--- Thread: Which iMac for elderly mom... (/showthread.php?tid=76785)
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Which iMac for elderly mom... - hotdogthemovie - 04-21-2009
Hi,
I am tech support for my family, which means I spend a ton of time reinstalling XP on all my cheap siblings computers because they won't listen to experience and spend a little more for a computer that is not junk. Anyway, my 82 year old mother just asked me to get her hooked up to the internet... I think so she can keep closer tabs on her trouble-making youngest son who is adicted to IMing on facebook and playing Mafia wars.
She has limited experience with computers... mostly solitare on my old PM 6100 I handed down to her about 10 years ago. I'm thinking upgrading to a 20" iMac... fewer cables and buttons, but with a big enough screen for her failing eyesight. But, I have no experience with iMacs. I own an MB, an MBP, a Mini, a G4 tower... but have never bought an iMac.
Money is a factor... although it shouldn't be, but she is very thrifty and will flip out at anything over $800-900. Looking at used iMacs, I think I can get something in that range, but cheaper is better. Are there any models to avoid? I noticed some G5's with the built-in iSight, which would be a nice feature to have for possible video conferencing. I'd like to stay Intel, but if I can save $150 or so, is that worth it? Are G5's beginning to fail or have other problems?
Also, I live 150 miles from her. What options do I have for remote control of her system from my house? I know I will get the call that her computer doesn't work, even though it's just the mouse hiding off screen...
TIA
Re: Which iMac for elderly mom... - Bernie - 04-21-2009
20 inch iMac refurb at Apple is $799.00
The bigger screen is what I want for my Mom. She has been happy with her eMac but the tech support guy, ME, thinks it is time to upgrade her. I am hoping to get the wife a 24 inch iMac and trickle down her 20 inch to Mom.
Re: Which iMac for elderly mom... - raz - 04-21-2009
Screen size is less important than dot pitch.
For my senior parents I went with a mini and a Dell 19" monitor. Yeah, lots more cabling, but it stayed withing their budget (children of the previous Depression) and was better for their eyesight.
I'd also doubt that a mighty mouse would be well received.
Re: Which iMac for elderly mom... - Article Accelerator - 04-21-2009
raz wrote:
I'd also doubt that a mighty mouse would be well received.
A Mighty Mouse will be fine--just configure both buttons to be Primary and turn off the scroller button.
Re: Which iMac for elderly mom... - Article Accelerator - 04-21-2009
hotdogthemovie wrote:
I am tech support for my family, which means I spend a ton of time reinstalling XP on all my cheap siblings computers because they won't listen to experience and spend a little more for a computer that is not junk.
Make them a deal. Free tech support, but only for Macs.
Also, I live 150 miles from her. What options do I have for remote control of her system from my house?
Bernie's suggestion is great.
For remote control, just use Leopard's built-in functions. They work like a charm and couldn't be simpler to implement or use.
Re: Which iMac for elderly mom... - jdc - 04-21-2009
i agree with the mini and 19" screen for bigger dots -- werent there $399 minis on the dealmac page today?
sure, a couple of extra cables -- get a zip tie =)
if you cant get the Leopard screen sharing to work -- logmein.com is also excellent. nothing to configure, no ports to open, no firewall to fuss with, just install and go -- all web based
i would ditch the MM myself -- just get a simple 2 button wireless or wired mouse -- the "click" noise helps...
Re: Which iMac for elderly mom... - M>B> - 04-21-2009
How about a nice eMac, they can be had for about 200.-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMac
http://www.secondhandmac.com/
Re: Which iMac for elderly mom... - Robert M - 04-21-2009
Hot Dog,
There's a point where thrift and value conflict with each other. These days, I wouldn't go near a PowerPC based machine. Apple and third party software and hardware companies are slowly but surely reducing their support for PowerPC hardware. So, if it was me buying a machine for my mom, I'd go intel only without a doubt.
Have you considered a Macbook? My parents who are both up there in years each have a Macbook of their own. It's the brand-new aluminum model. Base configuration. They love them! The Macbook does everything they need to do and they love being able to take the computer from room to room, access the Internet via wireless and print via wireless. You can get a last years white model or this year's white model for a very reasonable price.
The built-in webcam is one of their favorite features. It lets them videochat via IChat with my older brother in MA and they get to see my 9 month old niece, too!
Robert
Re: Which iMac for elderly mom... - datbeme - 04-21-2009
I'd be concerned that the resolution on the MacBook would be hard for your mom to read, but the MicroCenter deal ($799 AR) on the white model is very attractive.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0305909&utm_source=mcol&utm_medium=leader_bnr&utm_campaign=apple_000158_041509
Was going to steer my own mom that way when she indicated an interest in a new laptop (even though I think the 20" iMac is a much better fit.)
Looks like the $100 rebate is no longer available on prev generation mini (which had made it $399 AR at MicroCenter).
Re: Which iMac for elderly mom... - rgG - 04-21-2009
Don't get a G5 iMac. My 83 year old mother-in-laws had the dreaded bad capacitor problem. I think they also replaced something else at the same time, maybe power supply or video card. It was covered under an extended warranty program, but I would not buy a used one.
I think any of the Intel iMacs would be fine. I would definitely have it running Leopard because of the remote control issue. If you don't use the one built-into Leopard most of the others need at least Tiger and Leopard would be even better.
My in-laws have the 17" iMac and, since surfing and email is all they use it for, even that is a large enough screen. You just make the window for FF/Safari and Mail as large as will fit and it is fine. 20" would be better, but if you need to save the cash, 17" is fine. IMHO. I think a mini and a monitor would also be a good choice. I bought my husband the 1.83 mini and a nice 22" monitor for less than $700 a few months ago, he had a keyboard and mouse, and that $399 mini at MicoCenter is about $100 less than I paid, so you might be able to get out closer to $600, depending on the monitor, tax, shipping, etc. HTH.
Edit: The mini at MicroCenter for $399, no rebate, is for the 1.83 version. The one with the rebate a week or two ago was the 2.0 version with the SuperDrive. The 1.83/Combo would most likely suit your needs just fine, IMHO.