I'm helping out an elderly man who's been using the same ThinkPad for over 15 years. Now it's finally dead, and I need to find a replacement that's not too complicated for him. Ideally, it should be similar to his old computer, but I also need to make it secure so he can't install random software or fall for scams. It would be a bonus if I could remotely access it to help him out without complicated setups. I'm on a budget—just a few hundred dollars—and he really needs something since he's not comfortable using a phone. Any suggestions?
5 Answers
If he's used to an old version of Windows, switching to a Mac or iPad might actually be simpler than moving to Windows 10 or 11. I helped my father-in-law get an iPad, and he loves it! You could set it up with a keyboard cover if he needs to type, but it’s straightforward enough that he won’t get overwhelmed by random downloads.
You might want to look into another used ThinkPad. They can be found on eBay for a few hundred bucks, and you can set it up as a non-admin account to help restrict what he can install. Alternatively, a Chromebook again is a solid recommendation!
You might want to consider a Chromebook. They're super affordable and practically impossible to mess up. He can use it for browsing the web and watching videos, which should fit his needs just fine.
A Panasonic Toughbook could be a good fit too! They’re tough, can run Windows, and are somewhat user-friendly. Though they might be a bit pricier, consider if you can stretch your budget a little since they’re durable and easy to fix if something goes wrong.
For Windows users, activate remote desktop on a new laptop running Windows 10 or 11, and use a non-admin account for him. This way, you can help him without him messing around with installations too much. If sticking to a budget, maybe check out an Acer or HP that fits the $500 max. Just make sure it’s new to avoid headaches later on!
Totally agree! Chromebooks are great for basic tasks and easy to use.