Which kind of computer is better for a senior citizen, PC or Mac?

Question

I am planning on purchasing a computer for my grandma who wants a computer. I am thinking about a Mac because the mouse only has one button, which I think would be less confusing for her. However, which interface would be better and easier for her? She would use it for word processing, e-mail, and surfing the web. Explain.

Answer 1

Wow... Does anyone here, besides me, have a clue? I'll give you several great reasons why the Mac is a better choice. First, let me, yet again, debunk this "one button mouse" myth. You can use any multi-button mouse with a Mac! Just plug in any USB mouse and right click to your heart's content. I'm using the same USB mouse that I used on my PC, before I threw it out. With that out of the way... Macs are great for everyone. Yes, Macs are easy to use. Macs are secure and stable. Macs are beautiful and intuitive. Here's an important one: Macs come with most of the software your grandmother should ever need. Here's another great reason: Universal Access. The Macintosh includes great features for those with poor vision. There's other great features, such as system wide spell checking, a built in dictionary and thesaurus and instant search capabilities using Spotlight. Don't be cheap, get your nice granny a great computer. Get her a Mac.

Answer 2

This same question was posted and answered here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvxmzmolN3wrDKx.fSTCIJXsy6IX?qid=20070117115442AA18pZw&show=7#profile-info-45752e591b496c12323b67b389115b24aa

For your convenience, here was my answer:
This depends on how she wants to use it. If it is just for e-mail and web surfing, a Mac is a great choice. If she wants to install programs, make sure the programs she needs are available for the Mac, or you could also run them through BootCamp (Win emulator for the Mac). Another choice would be an internet appliance which would allow her to just do e-mail and web. Some even display directly through the TV (like WebTV), which is an easier transition for a lot of seniors.

Additional details:
Since she will be doing some word processing, Mac has included a Word Processor. Windows has only Notepad and WordPad (very basic text editors) included, unless the one you buy is bundled with Word or Works. Just make sure if you go this route, that you don't confuse a trial version of Word or Works with the full version. The trial version will have limited capabilities and may only work for a short time.

In terms of e-mail and web surfing, they are pretty much similar. Mac and Windows both have free e-mail clients if you want to use POP e-mail, but she may find that it's easier to use a free webmail service like Yahoo mail, GMail, or Hotmail instead and then you just need a browser. Browsers are roughly equivalent, but in general Mac is less susceptible (for now) to viruses, adware, and spyware. And on that note, you will spend less securing your Mac than you will a Windows PC, but the Mac will generally cost more itself.

As far as a one button versus two button mouse, I think she will get used to it either way. If she regularly uses a PC or a Mac outside of the home, like at the library or the senior center, that may be a good reason to stay with the same format, so she doesn't get confused (about the mouse and everything else).

All told, I would say the Mac is the way to go for those purposes, if you want to spend the money. But if you want to go cheap, get a basic Windows machine and add on the stuff you need (Works and a good Antivirus, like Norton or McAfee).

Answer 3

Computer For Senior Citizen

Answer 4

Trust me, the one button mouse is a disadvantage for everyone. It's easier to right-click than holding the apple button and left click.

If she would use it JUST for word processing, e-mail, and surfing the web, it would be a better idea to buy a PC since it's not expensive like the Mac. You'd only pay for a Mac if you'd want to do more advanced stuff.

Can't afford Microsoft Word? No problem, just download and install the free word processor "OpenOffice", and you're done.

And whoever the dick-head is that down-thumbed me is obviously obsessed with Macs.

Answer 5

This depends on how she wants to use it. If it is just for e-mail and web surfing, a Mac is a great choice. If she wants to install programs, make sure the programs she needs are available for the Mac, or you could also run them through BootCamp (Win emulator for the Mac). Another choice would be an internet appliance which would allow her to just do e-mail and web. Some even display directly through the TV (like WebTV), which is an easier transition for a lot of seniors.

Answer 6

Neither- recommend an abacus in place of Excel and two soup cans tied together for a modem. The actuality of a senior citizen actually coming close to using a Mac or PC doesn't come close to the cost of maintenance and technical support for every single question which will arise incessantly.

It is technological overload for most people at any age due to their inability to deal with the common headaches that come with using either Mac or PC. You would be better served with Notepad and Internet Explorer and and simple Instant Messenger in a scaled down user account than a full blown Win XP or Mac OS X interface.

Answer 7

PC hands down - All software is available for the PC. The MAC is too isolated in its usage. Once your grandma surfs the web once on a standard mouse - she will have no problem with it.
Plus the PC is more in tune with web apps.

Answer 8

Just get a computer that is handy capable for the ederly, you know increase font, screen size and such, maybe some speech recognition they could use, some conversaweb stuff so that when they point at stuff it will say what they are pointing at and stuff. i believe she will like that a whole lot better than all sorts of fancyness. Rolling ball mouses are good.

Good luck!!

Answer 9

the Mac is best if she has not used computers at all, but really the best choice is probably the one that you yourself have experience with, since she will surely need your advice.