Turbo Rider
Just can't reMember
Yes...take them to PC world for a demo...a handy member of staff will be along to help if there's bother...the one on Purley Way, near Sainsburies in Croydon has got loads of bits to look at...
Desktop PC for parents
- Thread starter vickster
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Yes...take them to PC world for a demo...a handy member of staff will be along to help if there's bother...the one on Purley Way, near Sainsburies in Croydon has got loads of bits to look at...
neil_merseyside
Guru
Don'y pay extra for M$ Office, but if its included or cheap then fair enough, but Libre Office is good for free (but do make a donation). Lots of very good software for free (do donate though) which isn't bloated and is as effective as paid. Run Belarc Advisor to see what software is on the system and when and how often it's used and it will show the licence keys in case you can't find them if you are re-installing. Don't be afraid of W8.1 runs just like W7/XP with classic shell so no learning curve needed.
I wouldn't mind betting if you nip over to Priform and get CCleaner and Defraggler you can save buying a laptop...
I wouldn't mind betting if you nip over to Priform and get CCleaner and Defraggler you can save buying a laptop...
OP
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vickster
Legendary Member
Turbo Rider
Just can't reMember
He said don't by Microsoft Office, as you can download a freebie. Don't buy internet security, as you can download freebies. And you can get Windows 8.1 running like XP or 7 if you download a program called Classic Shell.
It's all true, just a lot of faff..but not too much faff...this is a link explaining the Windows 8 dilema - it has a link to classic shell on number 2:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2385007/the-top-10-windows-8-questions-everyone-asks.html
It's all true, just a lot of faff..but not too much faff...this is a link explaining the Windows 8 dilema - it has a link to classic shell on number 2:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2385007/the-top-10-windows-8-questions-everyone-asks.html
andyfraser
Über Member
The only 15" Chromebook I know of is the new Acer for £250. For Office documents I'd set up a OneDrive account if they don't have one and transfer them there. OneDrive has online versions of Word and Excel. Google Docs can read and write Office docs too so documents can be stored in Google Drive. It's not as complicated as I make it sound. My OH has taken to her Chromebook (my old 11").
neil_merseyside
Guru
Get Piriform CCleaner here:- http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download
and install and run and it will clear up all the crap - never failed me.
Then get :- http://www.piriform.com/defraggler
and install and run that and it will defragment the drive
Then see how clunky the laptop is afterwards - might just be OK
andyfraser
Über Member
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vickster
Legendary Member
There is something very odd with their current laptop. They can't complete any transactions on it. There may be a setting somewhere, but I have no idea what. They had a malware issue, an IT bod looked at it (where they used to live), did stuff and it's been quite problematic. It must be at least 5 years old and it was a £300 laptop then
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vickster
Legendary Member
That's fine if you understand and are interested in IT, not the case for many including my family!
My parents are in their 70s and want Windows, they are familiar with it enough to do what they need to when running smoothly!
andyfraser
Über Member
I know, I'm just saying. You could always find a tame IT person to do an install of Linux or set up an bare PC with an OEM version of Windows though.
andyfraser
Über Member
Linux is an alternative operating system to Windows. I'm trying Linux Mint on my laptop. It's pretty much fire and forget.
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vickster
Legendary Member
You've lost me again. Do you work in IT perchance?
andyfraser
Über Member
Software developer/UNIX system administrator so yes.You've lost me again. Do you work in IT perchance?
