I definitely need to get mummy a new computer for Christmas.

[shortylickens]

System is too slow to stream Netflix even on SD in a tiny window. She cant run Office 2007 and she's confused at her lack of options in Office 2000. I keep telling her everything is there, all they did with the new version was change the layout but all the tools are basically the same. Had to help her find custom bullets and a few other things. Also had to disable Clippy, that little homo was getting in the way of work.
Might also need a larger monitor. She insists on pushing it way back and then complains she cant see anything.

I wonder if I can get a case in taupe or periwinkle.
:hmm:

 

[guyver01]

here ya go..

 

[CRXican]

good luck, she'll be totally confused by Office 2007

 

[FoBoT]

walmart has compaq laptops for $250, add a 19" LCD for $99 and you are all set

 

[Baked]

Get her a 27" iMac.

 

[Kaido]

I got both of my parents those cheapo I-Inc/Hanns-G/Hanspree 28" LCD monitors. Not only are they huge, but they are also 1920x1200 resolution, so the text is nice and big and easy to read. You can find them for under $300 online (they typically go for $219 refurb if you want to go that route).

Then install LogMeIn for remote help, a Webcam (Dynex makes an excellent model for $15 on eBay) and Skype, and Macrium Reflect Free and Genie9 TimelineX for system backup, along with Crashplan for online backup.

Voila, problems solved. Auto-backup, easy to read LCD, and you can remote support from your cell phone if needed :awe:

 

[shortylickens]

good luck, she'll be totally confused by Office 2007

Ummm, did you not read OP?
Maybe I didnt make it clear but thats what she uses at work. The problem is when she comes home she has to deal with Office 2000 which is clunky and confusing by comparison.

Oh, I'm sorry. I meant the computer is too old and slow to run Office 2007. She knows how to use it just fine.

 

[shortylickens]

walmart has compaq laptops for $250, add a 19" LCD for $99 and you are all set

Ok, that is actually much worse than what she has right now. But thanks for offering suggestions.

 

[Spikesoldier]

sandy bridge i3
cheapest 1155 mainboard
8gb ddr3
64gb ssd

do it for mummy

 

[SKORPI0]

Which one uses the computer? 😕 :hmm:

Mummy

Mommy

 

[ElFenix]

sandy dual core celeron
h61 board
4 gb ram

 

[DaveSimmons]

If mom wants to run a legal copy of Windows, Acer and Gateway make some nice Sandy Bridge i3 & pentium dual-core small form factor PCs for $450-560.

My brother and I got our mom this $560 Gateway for her birthday:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883113181

Newegg also has a Pentium version for $475, and if you hunt around you might find these or similar Acer models cheaper elsewhere.

 

[squelchy451]

Hey sorry to post ads on your thread but I have a Phenom ITX desktop for $280..just sayin..

 

[deanx0r]

I got both of my parents those cheapo I-Inc/Hanns-G/Hanspree 28" LCD monitors. Not only are they huge, but they are also 1920x1200 resolution, so the text is nice and big and easy to read. You can find them for under $300 online (they typically go for $219 refurb if you want to go that route).

Then install LogMeIn for remote help, a Webcam (Dynex makes an excellent model for $15 on eBay) and Skype, and Macrium Reflect Free and Genie9 TimelineX for system backup, along with Crashplan for online backup.

Voila, problems solved. Auto-backup, easy to read LCD, and you can remote support from your cell phone if needed :awe:

The problem with that route is that he is going to spend hours doing tech support. I think he should consider an iPad just because of its simplicity. You can't screw it around, you can backup to iCloud and it is always on so she'll never miss a phone or video call. It is a much more capable platform than people think.

-iPad 2
-Stand or dock
-BT keyboard
-pages & numbers from the app store
-iCloud 50GB subcription

 

[DirkGently1]

Upgrade your parents.

 

[lehtv]

sandy dual core celeron $50
h61 board $50
4 gb ram $25

This

 

[FancyTurtle]

so what exactly does she use her computer for I mean my dad keeps building bleeding edge comps for my grandmother who just uses it to play solitaire and zelda roms basically a huge waste of cash 2k for something that should only cost about $200

 

[dwell]

I went to see my dad last weekend who has a POS Dell laptop from 2004. He tells me it takes a while to boot up. I hit the power and start a stopwatch. It literally took 15 minutes until the desktop was fully up and responsive to clicks.

msconfig shows it running like two dozen startup items and he only has 512MB RAM. Ouch. Should get him a Macbook Air for Christmas.

 

[guyver01]

msconfig shows it running like two dozen startup items

i think your dad watches too much porn on the laptop

 

[dwell]

i think your dad watches too much porn on the laptop

I'm sure if he did he would have called me 50 times asking things like, "How do I download 'Adobe Flash Player'?" and "Windows opened a screen that says, "Your computer is infected, click here to scan it with UberMalwareInstallerPRO', what do I click?"

 

[alkemyst]

An average PC from 5-7 years ago should be able to handle Win 7 and Office 2007/2010 fine with 4GB of RAM.

Without the OP posting specs on the machine everyone is just guessing.

Personally I'd never build a computer for anyone unless a gaming machine is required. Dell, HP, Gateway, etc all come in much lower in cost and have warranty/support built in.

The bloatware can easily be uninstalled if not wanted.