Advice for supporting absolute beginners on Mac Book Air

[james*b]

Hi
I recently helped some older relatives buy a refurbished Macbook Air. They have never had a computer before and I will shortly be helping them set it up (and providing support..)
So I have a few basic setup questions and it would be great if someone could help me out to make this a bit easier:
1. Do you still get a free tutorial in an Apple shop/Genius bar with a purchase of a mac from Apple, even if you buy a refurbished model? If not is it worth paying for this (if you can)?
2. The new computer is a June 2013 Macbook Air - what are the best adapters to get an HDMI output that can also carry sound?
3. Would anyone have any advice on the best way to setup the machine from the start so that I can support remotely? For example should I set myself up as the admin or is this not necessary?
Thanks in advance!

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Hi
I recently helped some older relatives buy a refurbished Macbook Air. They have never had a computer before and I will shortly be helping them set it up (and providing support..)
So I have a few basic setup questions and it would be great if someone could help me out to make this a bit easier:
1. Do you still get a free tutorial in an Apple shop/Genius bar with a purchase of a mac from Apple, even if you buy a refurbished model? If not is it worth paying for this (if you can)?
2. The new computer is a June 2013 Macbook Air - what are the best adapters to get an HDMI output that can also carry sound?
3. Would anyone have any advice on the best way to setup the machine from the start so that I can support remotely? For example should I set myself up as the admin or is this not necessary?
Thanks in advance!

There are free group workshops at the Apple Stores but the One to One program for $99 would give them an hour of personal training, plus other training features.

The best HDMI adapter in my opinion is the Apple TV. With AirPlay Mirroring you can use the TV as a mirror of the MacBook Air screen, or as an extended desktop - no cables to plug in, they can sit on the couch & just use it. But, any mini-DisplayPort to HDMI adapter that you buy should carry audio so either an adapter like this or an all-in-one cable like this would be fine.

For remote support, I would go ahead and create a user account for you with admin rights - but also set the normal account with admin, so that they can install software & updates without you getting involved. For my mom's computer I set up a free TeamViewer account so that I can log in remotely but there are lots of other similar services.

 

[Trvlngnrs]

When I switched over to Apple, I signed up or the free classes at the Apple store. I was the only one so I had the instructor for an hour for free.
Take the free class first and don't forget You Tube tutorials!

 

[Michael CM1]

If you don't want to spend the money on an Apple TV, Monoprice sells a Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter for about $15. But I agree that an Apple TV is the darn easiest thing to use to put your MBA display on the TV.