Any advice on getting my parents, in their 60's, to switch? Is it worth it the effort? They don't do much other that surf and sift through photos (no real editing). They might word process as well, and i think my Mom plays a few simple games. They've been on a PC forever. All the small issues that arise with PC's (theirs) are what is motivating me. I naturally think it would be a good move, but is it really worth it? My main obstacles are my Dad (change is bad), and the learning curve.
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Do I switch my parents to Mac?
- Thread starter Dobiewonkanobie
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hmm, for me, my folks knew nothing about computing at all, in fact, my dad was scared to even turn on the windows box we had. For christmas 2006 though i bought them a macbook, which they learnt to use within days, and have been really happy with ever since.
Osx is very easy to use, although if your folks are already happy with windows, is there any point to making them change?
Osx is very easy to use, although if your folks are already happy with windows, is there any point to making them change?
got my grandmother a macbook for christmas, she is completely computer illiterate. I took it home first and set it up, and she has messed up a few times--mostly deleted things she didn't want to- but I fixed those with a screen sharing session.
All in all, she uses it everyday. My point being, my grandmother who calls me when she forgets how to turn on the tv, can use a macbook, therefore, your parents would not have too much of a problem.
However, if your parents are comfortable with windows, and they are not really having any problems, why make them change?
All in all, she uses it everyday. My point being, my grandmother who calls me when she forgets how to turn on the tv, can use a macbook, therefore, your parents would not have too much of a problem.
However, if your parents are comfortable with windows, and they are not really having any problems, why make them change?
Im looking at the same thing.
My dad, (who is 76), has been on a Windows machine since 3.0. He wants a Mac, badly. So I went on ebay and got an iMac g3 Summer 2001 edition, just so he can play with it. It's still a very spritely machine running 10.4.11, and when I get the RAM upgraded, will be the fastest machine he has ever owned,( including the $600 Vista laptop they got for Xmas).
Total cost, including memory upgrade, $150.
My dad, (who is 76), has been on a Windows machine since 3.0. He wants a Mac, badly. So I went on ebay and got an iMac g3 Summer 2001 edition, just so he can play with it. It's still a very spritely machine running 10.4.11, and when I get the RAM upgraded, will be the fastest machine he has ever owned,( including the $600 Vista laptop they got for Xmas).
Total cost, including memory upgrade, $150.
Mac Mini has new life...
Get them a Mac-Mini, I got one for my parents of age 58 and 60 about a year ago and they could not be happier. They had a HP desk that Ford Motor Co. gave them with windos ME on it. You will not have to play IT anymore.
Get them a Mac-Mini, I got one for my parents of age 58 and 60 about a year ago and they could not be happier. They had a HP desk that Ford Motor Co. gave them with windos ME on it. You will not have to play IT anymore.
My Dad (age 68) has used Windows since 95. He is still a very basic user, but is comfortable with it. I tried to get him to get a MB or MBP when his Thinkpad with XP needed to be replaced.
He has used my Mac before, and is always asking "how did you do that", or "How can I do that". Usually my answer is something like "I have a Mac", or "This is iPhoto, it's not available for Windows", etc.
His response to moving to a Mac, was "I'm too old to learn something new".
Since I am his tech support, I would have loved to move him to a Mac, so I wouldn't have to deal with his Windows issues.
I say, if you can convince them, then go for it! If not, then I guess you will have to deal with Windows like I did...
He has used my Mac before, and is always asking "how did you do that", or "How can I do that". Usually my answer is something like "I have a Mac", or "This is iPhoto, it's not available for Windows", etc.
His response to moving to a Mac, was "I'm too old to learn something new".
Since I am his tech support, I would have loved to move him to a Mac, so I wouldn't have to deal with his Windows issues.
I say, if you can convince them, then go for it! If not, then I guess you will have to deal with Windows like I did...
Even if u do, a simple screen sharing session will prove invaluable. that is the best leopard feature for me. I switched my dad 18 months ago to a Core Duo iMac when he wanted a new computer and he is def used to it now. he loves the integration. now if I can only get him out of AOL!!
IMO get a mac mini...they have a screen etc and don't need a powerhouse or gigs of space.
good luck and let us know how it goes!
i made my parents get a Mac because i was tired of troubleshooting Windows for them. they got my old mini until they were sure enough they liked it, at which point they bought an iMac.
the learning curve is by no means anything to worry about. most likely they'll wonder why they waited so long to switch.
the learning curve is by no means anything to worry about. most likely they'll wonder why they waited so long to switch.
I'm having the same debate with myself. I'd love it if they'd switch. It'd be so much easier. But can you teach an old dog new tricks?
I say get them a Mac. My grandmother (in her 60's) used Windows 98 for 8 years, and I finally talked her into a Mac mini. She mainly used Word and Excel on her Windows machine for her church stuff, so I put Office 2004 on the mini. Once she got comfortable with OS X, I showed her iPhoto and she LOVES her Mac. She's uses it much more than her Windows computer she used to have (and fried from unplugging it everytime it froze up...which was often).
Switch them over... if they have any problems, just 'share screens' with them through iChat and show them how it's done!
It has been so long since i've used windows, i wouldn't be of much tech help for my parents, so i bought them an imac instead of a pc. go mac
Heh, I helped(kinda sorta) switlch my friend to mac(let him play with mine when I had it)
He did have some learning problems with the switch but he is totally blind but in the end thinks it is the best computer related decision that he has made.
He did have some learning problems with the switch but he is totally blind but in the end thinks it is the best computer related decision that he has made.