desktop for elderly parent

B

becky

New Member
Does anyone have suggestions regarding an upgrade desktop for an elderly parent. all that is needed is ability to email, surf, skype etc. We were looking toward a dell inspiron 560 with a 20 inch moniter, but seems there are many not very favorable reviews. does anyone have thoughts of a good system, dell.......or others. Would like the system to be less than 550 dollars. Thanks in advance. Becky
 
I just looked on the dell site and saw that it actualy has 4 and half out of five stars. Where you reading these reviews somwhere else?
 
Why would you read reviews of dell computers on dell.com? That's basically shooting yourself in the foot there.

Anyway, You may want to go to your local pc repair place and ask if they can build a computer for an elderly family member there, chances are you will get better value for money and if you ever have a problem they should provide warranty.
 
daisymtc said:
LGA 775 is a dead socket. Probably better to go for amd athlon II

This Asus package look good
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+Es...?id=pcmprd140900050005&skuId=9999140900050005

Or may be this Lenovo
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+...rive/1287479.p?id=1218247186441&skuId=1287479
Click to expand...

It may be dead, but if it is cheaper to build a 775 system with a low end pentium dual core or even a P4/celeron processor it doesn't matter. It isn't the same as recommending a system for someone that intends to be gaming where they need constant upgrades, a system for browsing the web and not a lot else, even if built on outdated technology, will still be perfect for the job in a good few years time.

Neither of those units come with a monitor either, so add on $100 for said monitor, and you are looking at close on $500 (with shipping included) for a system that will be used to surf the net and nothing else

@Linkin, it would be a better option to go for an OEM system, with low end ones, you generally get deals where they come with all peripherals, including a monitor, so you end up getting the tower itself for only the equivalent of half of what you actually pay. If you are only paying say $400 anyway, $200 for a system + mouse and keyboard can't be beaten by building it yourself with the same specs

@becky, would a laptop be an option? May work out cheaper to get them one, even if it just sits in the same spot
 
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Aastii said:
It may be dead, but if it is cheaper to build a 775 system with a low end pentium dual core or even a P4/celeron processor it doesn't matter. It isn't the same as recommending a system for someone that intends to be gaming where they need constant upgrades, a system for browsing the web and not a lot else, even if built on outdated technology, will still be perfect for the job in a good few years time.

Neither of those units come with a monitor either, so add on $100 for said monitor, and you are looking at close on $500 (with shipping included) for a system that will be used to surf the net and nothing else

@Linkin, it would be a better option to go for an OEM system, with low end ones, you generally get deals where they come with all peripherals, including a monitor, so you end up getting the tower itself for only the equivalent of half of what you actually pay. If you are only paying say $400 anyway, $200 for a system + mouse and keyboard can't be beaten by building it yourself with the same specs

@becky, would a laptop be an option? May work out cheaper to get them one, even if it just sits in the same spot
Click to expand...

The Asus one include 20" monitor + Printer, but slightly over budget...

I didn't agree with your comment of upgrade. Although they will not constantly upgrade the machine, it doesn't mean that they should get a machine with dead socket. Imgaine 3-4 year down the line when they feel the machine is slow, it would cheaper to get phenom IIx4 955/ x6 1055t than C2Q 9550
 
daisymtc said:
The Asus one include 20" monitor + Printer, but slightly over budget...

I didn't agree with your comment of upgrade. Although they will not constantly upgrade the machine, it doesn't mean that they should get a machine with dead socket. Imgaine 3-4 year down the line when they feel the machine is slow, it would cheaper to get phenom IIx4 955/ x6 1055t than C2Q 9550
Click to expand...

Assume they bought a desktop with a P4 processor on 775 socket, on a board which can support C2Q processors. Assume that the P4 they have is fine for the next 3-4 years, it will then have been ~7 years since the release of the first C2Q processors.

7 years ago, Intel's main chip was Pentium 4 HT, which, a quick scan of ebay shows that you can pick one up for, at the most, £20. So, let's say that when it has been 7 years since the Kentsfield processors were released, that the price isn't the same, but instead 50% more than the P4 processors now, that is still only £30 for an upgrade from a P4 to a C2Q. Yes, a 65nm C2Q, but it is still a hell of an upgrade, and performance not far off a 955, even at clocks lower than the 3.2GHz of a 955.

I'm still using, on a laptop, a mobile Athlon 64, which happens to be from 2003 (7 years ago, almost to the day), and that still plows through the net, emails, MSN, itunes, office software, no problems
 
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