The Basics of The Best Computer For Seniors + Our Recommendation
Introduction
Hey! If you’re retired, a senior citizen, or just looking for a computer to use around the home, then you might be interested in this post. In this post we’ll cover what makes a computer great for seniors and why they might want that kind of machine. This way you can find the perfect fit for your needs.
What Should I Look For In The Best Computer For Seniors?
Some considerations when buying a “senior” PC are operating system and screen size. Windows 10 is easy to operate with one hand and comes with plenty of accessibility features built-in, while Chromebooks make it easy to do things like zoom in on pictures or videos without having to download any special apps. Chromebooks also tend to have larger displays.
Should It Be A Laptop Or A Desktop?
You should consider which you’d prefer before looking at PCs specifically designed for retirees. A laptop usually means you can take it with you wherever you go, but laptops tend to have shorter battery life and are more expensive than larger desktops. The latter may be easier to use from a seated position as well as being less likely to break if dropped. Check out our guide on the best laptops for seniors to see what’s available.
How Much Will It Cost Me?
Committing (or not) to an upgrade is also important here, regardless of whether or not you’re working on a budget. If you’re going to be continuously upgrading the hardware in your computer, then a series of models should be considered. If you plan on buying a new device every few years, then something less expensive should be considered.
Just like any other piece of technology, there are plenty of older machines out there that still work well. We’ve been using computers for over 25 years and have been able to test them for a while to find the right fit for us and show that they deserve a second life. The one thing we don’t want to do is lie to you and promise you something that just doesn’t exist today.
So, let’s see what we’ve thought about. To determine the cost, we’ll outline the most important point, and then we’ll give you some recommendations for the existing products we’ve considered. Let’s start with the operating system.
Operating Systems For Seniors
1. Windows 10 (Home) or (Pro)
Running on most new PCs these days with little to no effort at all involved with installation and setup. If you’re worried about transferring data from one PC to another, Microsoft has an image you can choose which will make it easy. Also, if you or your loved ones are still really attached to Word or Excel format, this is still a pretty safe bet.
2. Chromebooks
There are plenty of options available, but you’ll want to pay attention to the screen sizes. A 13″ Chromebook has a nice display, while a 14″ laptop is still pretty large for most seniors. If you’re set on Chromebooks, then there are some good options at the budget end of the spectrum that might be worth looking into if you just need something to watch videos or play games.
3. Macbooks
We’ve seen all sorts of competing options either in Windows or OS X, but if your PC is mostly used at home or in an office environment where you don’t need anything too fancy, then the iMac would be our recommendation.
4. Linux
If you need something more customizable and want to run on a Chromebook, then we’ve seen good results running Ubuntu on a Chromebook with success. Just be aware that you will not find many apps available for Linux laptops.
Our Recommended Computers For Seniors
1. Asus Chromebook C201
The C201 is one of the most affordable options available, coming in at just under $200. It has a 12.5″ screen and comes with an Intel Celeron N3060 processor and up to 4GB of RAM.
2. Acer Chromebook R11
This model is in the middle range in terms of price and has a lot to offer in exchange for its $250 price tag. It offers a better processor (Intel Celeron N3150) and an extra 3GB of RAM, which will make it faster than most other chromebooks on the market. It also comes with an 11.6″ display instead of the 10.1″ that most other chromebooks have, which makes it slightly more comfortable to use.
3. ASUS Chromebook Flip C100
If you’re looking for something with a little bit more computing power, then this model may be for you. It has an Intel Atom processor, 2GB of RAM and an 11.6″ display with a touchscreen, so you can use it as both a laptop and tablet depending on what your needs are at the time. Of all the models we ended up looking at, this was one of the earliest chromebooks designed to appeal specifically to seniors, but no one else really picked up on the idea.
4. Asus ROG GR8 II
If you’re looking for a traditional PC, the ASUS ROG GR8 II is one of our top picks. It comes with a good processor and an NVIDIA GTX 1060, so it can handle almost any game you throw at it and still offers plenty of room for growth. The only downside is that you’re going to pay quite a bit for this model, but we think it’s worth it if you’re looking for something with great specs and don’t want to pick between Mac or Windows.
Conclusion
By now, you should have a good idea of what you need in order to get the right machine for your needs. We’ve outlined the most important operating systems and will give links to the best models we used to test them. If you’re not too technically knowledgeable about computers, then take some time to familiarize yourself with the different models out there before making your final decision.
Once you’ve found something that seems like it will fit your needs, just go ahead and buy it! The only person who can stop you is yourself. If there’s anything we can do to help with any questions or concerns that come up after buying a new PC, just contact us and we’ll be more than happy to assist.