Gramma Goes Techie: The Best Computers for Use through Seniors

As our population ages, so does the age of computer users. Baby boomers and caregivers are among the quickest-developing Facebook segments, and many elders are studying how to use electronic mail, video games, photo garages, or video conferencing. Seniors want to be linked.

However, not all computer systems are clean for seniors; there are very few.

I’ll begin by sharing the computer that I determined to be the most senior-friendly, likely because it became especially designed for seniors. It’s known as the Telikin and may be determined on their employer’s website.

This computer is a hint-screen stand on my laptop. It is like a rise lap pinnacle and may be set up in less than five minutes. It includes a mouse and keyboard, but because it’s miles a touchscreen (like the iPad), the mouse is not vital.

The working device is Linux, so it’s miles resistant to viruses. Any wanted software program is preloaded, and the agency gives unfastened lifetime software program updates. Thus, software programs, including Office, can’t be bought; however, the employer is getting ready to upload an MS MS-like-mindedrase processor. It does have Adobe Flash aid (which is one thing that my iPad does not now have, and that is the reason)for

The software includes net entry to email, video games, video chat (the usage of Skype), a constructed-in webcam, photo sharing the use of Facebook, news updates, weather updates, a 6 1 SD card reader (for adding photographs), and a CD/DVD participant.

The Telikin has two unique display sizes: an 18.6″ LCD reveal with a 320-gigabyte tough drive ( approximately $699.00) and a 20″ LCD reveal with a 500-gigabyte hard drive (approximately $999.00). Both are also Wi-Fi equipped.

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One cool feature is that with only contact, the display can zoom as much as two hundred, so it’s outstanding for people with imaginative and prescient problems.

Another function is that there’s a help tab on every screen, and there are video tutorials.

But my favorite function is their “Tech Buddy machine.” This machine allows the senior to provide a trusted family member or contributor with their user call and password. If there had been trouble, a family member could access their laptop remotely to check it out. The family member can also add appointments to the calendar, add photos, and so forth.

Of note is that you may also discover this identical PC indexed because of the WOW! Laptop by using the employer FirstStreetOnline. They are a subcontractor for Telekom. At this time, the WOW! PC does not include the Tech Buddy machine, although the company anticipates adding that feature soon.

Another laptop that has been endorsed as a senior-pleasant laptop is the Chromebook.

The Chromebook is made from Google’s partnership with Samsung and Acer.

Exceptional models begin at $430.00, with Wi-Fi geared-up variations beginning starting. The 3G Chromebooks include a hundred MB of unfastened net facts according to month (which means they don’t require an internet issuer service). It isn’t large but might be sufficient for checking email gathering snapshots.

This type of computer gadget is also protected from viruses because only Google’s built-in techniques can write to the hard drive. In that regard, it’s miles a first-rate desire.

If your elder has a laptop problem, they can “sign-in” to their computer from afar and configure the settings remotely.

It isn’t always as user-friendly as the Telekin, which doesn’t have a touchscreen generation, and PC screens are sometimes tough for elders to look at. The Chromebook includes a font resizing characteristic and something known as ChromeVox, which reads the tabs as you open them and the entire display content.

Apple iPads have additionally been advised to be excellent computer systems for seniors.

iPads are stand-alone pills, don’t take up much space, have touchscreen technology, and are pretty intuitive. Objects may be made large with just the pinch of a finger. And there are masses of “apps” for seniors to download from the app store—some are free; a few are not.

I even have an iPad, and when I took ito to my mother, she became very interested in it. She especially liked scrolling through the snapshots.

My problem with the iPad being used by seniors is that there isn’t a way to add images from a digital camera card. The photographs could need to be loaded onto a PC, after which they are transferred to the iPad once it becomes linked to it, OR they could be emailed or posted on Facebook and received that way. Sometimes, the nice snapshots on Facebook aren’t high-quality because of how they have been initially uploaded (it takes much longer to add excessively excellent images to Facebook).

I additionally assume that it would be hard for seniors to be aware of what apps were available to them (and then, of course, they could want to remember the iTunes password each time they bought an app.) (My father couldn’t even remember the password to go browsing to his computer.)

I don’t see that the email gadget is very clean to apply, and I don’t imagine that seniors would either.

Another hassle with the iPad is that it does not know paintings with Adobe, so many video capabilities are unavailable. Again, the software program, including MS Office, isn’t well matched with this PC.

That being stated, I love the iPad. It might be a good “toy” to keep seniors entertained as long as you have been there with them. There are piano apps, games, online newspapers, Oprah magazine, songs, etc. However, I do not think it is the first-class option for a senior-friendly PC.

Two laptop alternatives produced via HP deserve to be pointed out.

One model is the Autopilot. It may be bought as a computer ( for approximately $1,125.00) or a computer (for approx. $1,165.00) and is said to have a goof-proof operation.

I was impressed by this laptop’s functions, including the “OnTimeRx” medication and appointment reminder software, the high-evaluation keyboard and mouse, and the Hoyle Crossword and Sudoku puzzles.

The desktop version has a 17-inch monitor, mouse, and color printer.

Another model is the Vision Plus Model, which comes preconfigured with a display magnification software program, a high-visibility keyboard, an all-in-one printer, and a scanner that can be scanned and magnified (assuming the senior can operate the scanner).

It also has the OnTimeRx software and retails for $1,255 for the computer.

Of course, computer systems take longer to set up and can be slightly more difficult in that regard.

Many distinctive websites and stores deliver HP computer systems.

The remaining computer I wanted to mention is the least pricey at approximately $549.99. It is the Kiwi PC.

It’s a desk pinnacle and is Linux-powered like the Telikin, so viruses are not going. It comes with a 19″ screen, a pre-set-up and simplified email system, and a color-coded keyboard (distinct shades for consonants, vowels, and punctuation marks, although I’m now not certain I like that) with 1″ oversized keys. The keyboard has 2 USB ports.

It comes with hasmory, 250 GB hard power, and DVD-RW pressure. There is a 1-year assurance on this product.

The one feature that I certainly don’t like about this computer is that although they provide free device work for Kiwi upgrades, they require that the owner PAY for the improvement and ship the laptop to the corporation. The enterprise will then carry out the upgrade and ship it back. That’s not something that might be easy for most seniors to do, and it nearly makes the low cost of this computer a moot factor.