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$500 Mac for Grandparents?

S

sammyman

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 21, 2005
984
52
I was thinking of buying my elderly parents a mac. They are old, long time computer illiterate PC people.

Should I go for a...

Used intel iMac 24"
Mac Pro less than $500
Refurbished Mac Mini (if they ever come in stock)

I am leaning towards the iMac but a lot of used ones on Craigslist have broken logic boards and power supplies.

The last thing I want to do is to get them a computer that craps out and have them say "See, we told you PC's were better".

What would you do?
 
adam9c1

adam9c1

macrumors 68000
May 2, 2012
1,874
311
Chicagoland
Leaning towards iMac.

Camera for Skype or face time...
Less things to disconnect, etc.

Mac Pro overkill horsepower.
 
hallux

hallux

macrumors 68040
Apr 25, 2012
3,437
1,005
adam9c1 said:
Leaning towards iMac.

Camera for Skype or face time...
Less things to disconnect, etc.

Mac Pro overkill horsepower.
Click to expand...

I agree with the iMac, no monitor needed.

The OP likely meant MacBOOK Pro.
 
monokakata

monokakata

macrumors 68020
May 8, 2008
2,035
582
Ithaca, NY
He might have meant something like an old Mac Pro -- 1,1 or 2,1.

Then they could use whatever they've been using for monitor and KB and mouse.

I'd try to find an older iMac. I too have a broken 24" one. But there must be decent ones out there.
 
firedept

firedept

macrumors 603
Jul 8, 2011
6,277
1,130
Somewhere!
Lean towards the iMac. Gives them everything they will need and nothing to fuss over. Requires a minimum of space and a 24" is a nice screen size.
 
cocacolakid

cocacolakid

macrumors 65816
Dec 18, 2010
1,108
20
Chicago
Just get them an iPad, it's easier to use, especially for anyone who is a technophobe. They can do video chats, email, browse, etc.
 
tentales

tentales

macrumors 6502a
Dec 6, 2010
771
1,184
sammyman said:
I was thinking of buying my elderly parents a mac. They are old, long time computer illiterate PC people.

Should I go for a...

Used intel iMac 24"
Mac Pro less than $500
Refurbished Mac Mini (if they ever come in stock)

I am leaning towards the iMac but a lot of used ones on Craigslist have broken logic boards and power supplies.

The last thing I want to do is to get them a computer that craps out and have them say "See, we told you PC's were better".

What would you do?
Click to expand...

Computer illiterates are best served with an iPad unless they have a specific need to require a full on computer.

Alternatively, if they prefer PCs, why teach an old dog new tricks ?
Plenty of decent $500 NEW laptops even with touchscreens around.

However, if you're set on a Mac, sure the iMac is your best bet, but you'll probably have to up the budget to $700 to get a decent piece without PS or LB issues.
 
Meister

Meister

Suspended
Oct 10, 2013
5,456
4,310
The base mac mini comes for $420 with the edu discount. Use the other $80 to buy an ssd and put it in. Enjoy :)
 
N

n8mac

macrumors 6502
Jun 25, 2006
435
48
Ohio
I helped my older parents pick out a $500 24" iMac off ebay to replace their Dell and they love it. They love having the computer built into the monitor saving desk space, and how quiet it is compared to the dell that sounded like a jet engine taking off. They love typing on the Apple keyboard but the Apple mouse didn't go over well because the scroll ball was too small and hard to keep clean, so they went back to the dell mouse. Otherwise it's been great.
 
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