GilesGuthrie
Staff Emeritus
- 11,038
- Edinburgh, UK
- CMDRTheDarkLord
Yep, I have been instructed by none other than my mother to source a laptop for her. And, Planeteers, I need your help.
Requirement: to use the internet for communication with friends and family. Some photo sharing, but mainly photo viewing. Perhaps some Skype use, but probably audio-only. Online shopping. Some writing of letters. No games. Probably some video (mainly BBC iPlayer) watching. Something with at least a 14" screen, but I'm not sure that a big 17" beast is really required.
The Location: My parents' house is quite big, but is adequately covered by a WPA-secured wireless network connected to an ADSL internet source running at around 5Mb. There's little scope for leakage. My father has a computer, and there is to be absolute security of data between the two PCs. If either of them suspects that the other is spying on them, it will be a nightmare. I am the sole source of support for both parents, and they are 300 miles away.
Operator Knowledge: None
Prerequisites: It has to be a PC, because I have to be able to remotely support it, which means I have to be able to imagine what's on the screen, and I simply don't know enough about Mac OS to do that.
Budget: Unlimited. But see "other factors"
Other Factors: The machine has to last for at least three years - barring any force majeur mishap. It has to be something she wants to use, so something a little "interesting" to look at, and probably less than 3Kg. She's going to go on a residential training course for people of her age, so can be considered to have a very basic knowledge of using a computer.
Thoughts?
I've seen a Sony Vaio (VGN-CR42) that I thought might fit the bill. One of the ultra-light Toshibas is a possibility too.
Requirement: to use the internet for communication with friends and family. Some photo sharing, but mainly photo viewing. Perhaps some Skype use, but probably audio-only. Online shopping. Some writing of letters. No games. Probably some video (mainly BBC iPlayer) watching. Something with at least a 14" screen, but I'm not sure that a big 17" beast is really required.
The Location: My parents' house is quite big, but is adequately covered by a WPA-secured wireless network connected to an ADSL internet source running at around 5Mb. There's little scope for leakage. My father has a computer, and there is to be absolute security of data between the two PCs. If either of them suspects that the other is spying on them, it will be a nightmare. I am the sole source of support for both parents, and they are 300 miles away.
Operator Knowledge: None
Prerequisites: It has to be a PC, because I have to be able to remotely support it, which means I have to be able to imagine what's on the screen, and I simply don't know enough about Mac OS to do that.
Budget: Unlimited. But see "other factors"
Other Factors: The machine has to last for at least three years - barring any force majeur mishap. It has to be something she wants to use, so something a little "interesting" to look at, and probably less than 3Kg. She's going to go on a residential training course for people of her age, so can be considered to have a very basic knowledge of using a computer.
Thoughts?
I've seen a Sony Vaio (VGN-CR42) that I thought might fit the bill. One of the ultra-light Toshibas is a possibility too.
