Need help in deciding the right MacBook for my Old Man

[maverick786us]

I am looking for a MacBook for my Old man, which will make his work easier. He is using a 13 inch Lenovo Laptop which has poor resolution, applications are slow, hands most of time. If that's not enough, it has annoying bloatware, that makes things worse.

Unlike me, my old man is not a techie, all he does is emails, word documents for his work, browse website, YT and sometimes Netflix. When I say he is not a techie, when he receives some word document in email he opens it directly in the browser, edits and saves, for him, downloading a document into local system and editing is cumbersome. He doesn't like switching through the windows.

So I was considering 2 options.
1. M2 MacBook Air 15: This MacBook has a higher resolution, so I though that when he opens multiple windows without maximizing them, and switch using stage manager, it will be the easiest thing for him. But for someone who is in his early 80s is 15 inch MacBook Air too heavy?

2. M2 MacBook Air 13: Its lighter than 15 inch MacBook Air but it has small screen and low resolution, so when it comes to easy of use like switching multiple windows through stage manager and other operations like reading, filling forms in the browser and other day to day documents and browser tasks will it be difficult because of small screen?

 

[Chancha]

My pops is 70+, he has been a hobbist photographer and also do daily stuff on a Mac, so I always give him a MacBook with large-ish display since forever. Previously he was using a 2015 15" retina, then moved on to 2019 16".

At the Apple Silicon transition I got myself a 14" and gave him for a brief test. He also frequently use the split screen feature, having 2 windows side by side, so whether or not a screen is wide enough is immediately noticed by him. After half a day his comment was "this **** is too ****ing small" lol... So then I got him a 16" M1 Pro. He does use Lightroom a bit so the power is not entirely wasted, and he likes the SD card slot, but frankly is massively overkill for his case. But I don't hear any display complaints anymore so that is that.

If I were to buy one for him from scratch at this point, a 15" is surely the candidate, and I guess only 1" shy from 16" is still fine. He does not carry the thing around that much so portability is not even a concern. The 15" is much better than the 16" on this anyway.

 

[maverick786us]

My old man is in his 80s, he has back problem and recently his legs has started giving up. So for him, weight matters. its not that he cannot carry 16 Inch MacBook Pro. But it will put more pressure on his vertical spine while carrying it from house till the car and then climb on to first floor to the office.

 

[gpat]

15" Air.
Bigger screen is a godsend for older people.
Or for anybody not carrying their computer all the time, really.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Very different consideration: Refurb Mac Mini with a much-bigger-than-16" screen? If he's generally immobile, why let the form factor bias limit the screen size? Go 24"-3X" screen paired to a Mac Mini and his aging eyes will likely appreciate it far more than super retina on a tiny screen. Size probably really matters here. Bail on the laptop concept and go BIG.

Also consider that if he is used to doing things in Windows, macOS is a big change. Are you sure you want to get him a shiny new computer with a very different OS? While practically blasphemous around here, maybe you should be thinking Mac Mini-like PC with a BIG screen? For an Apple computer budget (especially if you want anything above base models), you can buy a LOT of screen and a robust PC... so that an old dog doesn't have to learn a bunch of entirely new tricks than what he already knows.

 

[laptech]

If your old man has been using a Lenovo windows laptop, why get him to use a mac book? Does he have knowledge of mac os? because remember, when we start to get older, familiarity starts to become very important because the brain no longer works as fast as it once was so learning something new can be a hassle and more importantly, has your old man expressed an interest in wanting a mac book? because he maybe happy sticking with a windows machine.

 

[Saturn007]

I cringed over the phrasing in this thread. “Old man” is an offensive term to many...both seniors and their children! I knew people in college who described their fathers that way and there was typically a jarring undercurrent of being patronizing.

Setting that aside, you've answered your own question in your original post. Go for the M2 13.6” MBA. It’ll provide your father with a bigger display than his Lenovo, a lighter weight than the 15”, and will easy to schlep wherever he wants.

Have you talked this over with him? Switching from Windows to Mac is an adjustment — and one he might not want to make. Just be prepared to be tech support if he decides he does want to make the transition to a Mac!

The following is a great way of comparing the two Macs you mentioned.

Mac - Compare Models

See what makes each Mac laptop and desktop different. And find the one that’s perfect for your life, your work, and your budget.

www.apple.com

It spells out the dimensions and weights among all sorts of tech details and specs.

 

[maverick786us]

I cringed over the phrasing in this thread. “Old man” is an offensive term to many...both seniors and their children! I knew people in college who described their fathers that way and there was typically a jarring undercurrent of being patronizing.

Setting that aside, you've answered your own question in your original post. Go for the M2 13.6” MBA. It’ll provide your father with a bigger display than his Lenovo, a lighter weight than the 15”, and will easy to schlep wherever he wants.

Have you talked this over with him? Switching from Windows to Mac is an adjustment — and one he might not want to make. Just be prepared to be tech support if he decides he does want to make the transition to a Mac!

The following is a great way of comparing the two Macs you mentioned.

Mac - Compare Models

See what makes each Mac laptop and desktop different. And find the one that’s perfect for your life, your work, and your budget.

www.apple.com

It spells out the dimensions and weights among all sorts of tech details and specs.

I know Mac will be a whole new platform for him and it will take him 2-3 days to understand it. he is using laptops for more than a decade. When he was working in Windows 7 it was very easy for him. But ever since he got his hands on Windows 10 and above he finds the whole platform annoying. With Mac it will be easy for him, I will help him with complete tech support until he is used to Mac. I will also give him a Magic Mouse, just in case he find the trackpad difficult. I know that initially he won't be ready for Mac, but once he gets used to it, he will never turn back to Windows. After all he is using iPhone 14 Pro and first generation iPad Pro with pencil, he never needed my help while using those devices. But with his Lenovo, every now and then he calls me when he downloads and attachment from yahoo mail and unable to find where it was downloaded. The printer is connected using Wi-Fi when gives print command and if it doesn't immediately prints, he ends up giving multiple commands and calls me, I have to help him in clearing everything from printer queue and restart printing. He doesn't know how to use ALT+TAB to switch between different applications he is lost and calls me for helps, and then comes those bloatware that keeps on slowing down his system and sometimes freezes. I think with Mac he will be able to overcome all those limitations.

He is not the kind of person who will update his anti-virus, anti-malware on timely basis. With Mac he doesn't have to worry about it.

 

[maverick786us]

Very different consideration: Refurb Mac Mini with a much-bigger-than-16" screen? If he's generally immobile, why let the form factor bias limit the screen size? Go 24"-3X" screen paired to a Mac Mini and his aging eyes will likely appreciate it far more than super retina on a tiny screen. Size probably really matters here. Bail on the laptop concept and go BIG.

Also consider that if he is used to doing things in Windows, macOS is a big change. Are you sure you want to get him a shiny new computer with a very different OS? While practically blasphemous around here, maybe you should be thinking Mac Mini-like PC with a BIG screen? For an Apple computer budget (especially if you want anything above base models), you can buy a LOT of screen and a robust PC... so that an old dog doesn't have to learn a bunch of entirely new tricks than what he already knows.

Well he travels for his work, so it's not possible to carry desktop PC. Yes in his office I can get him a 24 in Mac, but he will eventually need a laptop in which he can work flawlessly while traveling.

 

[Chancha]

I forgot to say this but saw the above mentioning external displays:
my dad actually almost permanently docks his MBP 16” to a 28” display as well. But since at this config, the MacBook screen still acts as a 2nd screen underneath the 28”, so the size still matters. And then the odd times when he does take the MBP out to trips he absolutely can’t deal with anything lesser than 15”.

(I thought “old man” was supposed to be a humble way in referring your own father to others. But strange times we have now I guess)

 

[nick42983]

I’d suggest a 12.9” iPad Pro with a Magic Keyboard. Much simpler than that old Lenovo and even MacOS. You can buy a refurb 2018-2020 model from Apple and return it if he doesn’t like it.

“Old man” is not a humble way of referring to your father to others, that’s just “father”, but it’s not bad like others think. It’s common across cultures. It’s a joking way for men of all ages to refer to male friends here in Poland. Personally I just use “dad”.

 

[Timpetus]

If he's doing OK with a 13 inch screen then the 13.6" MBA will be an upgrade without risking additional weight. The resolution is the same in terms of PPI as the 15" so the only difference is a larger screen, more weight, and bigger battery. Do you have an Apple Store near enough to visit with him? Seeing these machines in person tells you a lot. I personally love smaller laptops, I used to have a 17" MBP and it was basically a couch desktop. I rarely left the house with it or even moved it elsewhere in my house. Now I have a 14" MBP that comes with me every day and I love it!

 

[Fishrrman]

Important consideration for an older person is the SIZE of text on the screen.

Although I'm not a MacBook Air fan, in your case an MBA 15" might be good, because the screen is physically large enough for him to DECREASE the resolution if he wishes -- resulting in slightly larger text all-around.

He may not have to do this, but the larger screen gives him the option to do so if he wants.

I actually do this with my MacBook Pro 14" -- I pick the "one step lower" option in the displays preference pane. Works out fine for me (with older eyes).

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Well he travels for his work, so it's not possible to carry desktop PC. Yes in his office I can get him a 24 in Mac, but he will eventually need a laptop in which he can work flawlessly while traveling.

OK, with that need then, I'd still encourage you to ask yourself, "why Mac?" since he's accustomed to Windows. I realize you may be a Mac fan but is he? Does he want to go through the trouble of learning the Mac way of doing things vs. what he already knows? While it all may be trivial for you- especially if you've had lots of time on Mac- for him, many things he understands now may work different-to-very-different on Mac.

Note too that if any of his work depends on something exclusive to Windows... especially full compatibility with Windows, any idea about running ARM Windows in emulation is another layer of complication for him. Even MS Office apps like Word for Mac is not exactly the same as MS Office Word for Windows.

So before you force him to learn:

• macOS vs. what he already knows,
• variations of apps vs. what he already knows and potentially
• emulation layer stuff vs. what he already knows,

...you might want to spend what will probably be considerably less and get him a MBair-like Windows Laptop (see also this Air-like PC laptop list). You can spend less and he may be happier than having to learn a whole new way of doing things.

Given the cost savings, you might seek one out with a slot-it-in dock that connects to (an additional gift of a) sizable monitor (see also this list) for use at home. Unlike Mac, PC is not picky at all about monitors, so the choices don't have to be 2 or 3 priced HIGH to make it double as a good desktop when not traveling. A well rated, BIG 4K monitor can be had for about the price of 1-1.5X Apple RAM or SSD tier upgrade. And PC RAM & SSD can seem like pennies or dimes on a dollar vs. Silicon RAM & SSD pricing by a SINGLE seller.

If you live with him and might be looking for some personal utility too, consider going in at ASD-like pricing and buy one like I chose: Dell 40" 5K/2K Ultra-Wide. Its 4 video inputs means you could plug in your Mac and he could plug in his new laptop (and his old one) and still have a video input port left over. It can even split screen like two 27" ASDs side by side in which his new and old laptop could be on screen at the same time or your Mac and his PC. Mac looks great on this monitor. His PC will too.

 

[laptech]

Get him the last of the intel mac books so you can install bootcamp on it so it can dual boot to mac or windows. Your old man gets the best of both worlds then. I very much doubt your old man needs the latest and greatest macbook

 

[JamesMay82]

for that use case I'd argue an iPad would be great for him. maybe even a cellular one if he likes to travel. My dad is 75 and he has a MacBook Air which he uses instead of the iPad that's only because his iPad was ancient and he fancied a change. I think he would prefer a iPad in hindsight.

 

[BB1970]

My dad is 94 and going strong! I bought him an iMac 24” and he took to it. He’s like most older people where his online needs are limited to basically internet browsing, some light banking, and the occasional YouTube vids. I bring this up because a laptop gets to be too fiddly the older they get. So if a laptop isn’t expressly needed, I would highly recommend a home unit like an iMac, Oh and I bought his for an insane deal that Costco had once for $999 and it was the 256GB with 8GB GPU.. so deals are out there if you look.

(oh I just read the above comment he travels.. so in that case 15” Air for sure)

 

[maverick786us]

for that use case I'd argue an iPad would be great for him. maybe even a cellular one if he likes to travel. My dad is 75 and he has a MacBook Air which he uses instead of the iPad that's only because his iPad was ancient and he fancied a change. I think he would prefer a iPad in hindsight.

He already has the first generation iPad Pro with a pencil which he uses, on his bed. In his office (which he made in the house itself) he mostly works on his Laptop, never uses the iPad for any kind of input operation except WhatsApp

 

[maverick786us]

OK, with that need then, I'd still encourage you to ask yourself, "why Mac?" since he's accustomed to Windows. I realize you may be a Mac fan but is he? Does he want to go through the trouble of learning the Mac way of doing things vs. what he already knows? While it all may be trivial for you- especially if you've had lots of time on Mac- for him, many things he understands now may work different-to-very-different on Mac.

Note too that if any of his work depends on something exclusive to Windows... especially full compatibility with Windows, any idea about running ARM Windows in emulation is another layer of complication for him. Even MS Office apps like Word for Mac is not exactly the same as MS Office Word for Windows.

So before you force him to learn:

• macOS vs. what he already knows,
• variations of apps vs. what he already knows and potentially
• emulation layer stuff vs. what he already knows,

...you might want to spend what will probably be considerably less and get him a MBair-like Windows Laptop (see also this Air-like PC laptop list). You can spend less and he may be happier than having to learn a whole new way of doing things.

Given the cost savings, you might seek one out with a slot-it-in dock that connects to (an additional gift of a) sizable monitor (see also this list) for use at home. Unlike Mac, PC is not picky at all about monitors, so the choices don't have to be 2 or 3 priced HIGH to make it double as a good desktop when not traveling. A well rated, BIG 4K monitor can be had for about the price of 1-1.5X Apple RAM or SSD tier upgrade. And PC RAM & SSD can seem like pennies or dimes on a dollar vs. Silicon RAM & SSD pricing by a SINGLE seller.

If you live with him and might be looking for some personal utility too, consider going in at ASD-like pricing and buy one like I chose: Dell 40" 5K/2K Ultra-Wide. Its 4 video inputs means you could plug in your Mac and he could plug in his new laptop (and his old one) and still have a video input port left over. It can even split screen like two 27" ASDs side by side in which his new and old laptop could be on screen at the same time or your Mac and his PC. Mac looks great on this monitor. His PC will too.

You have a valid point of why forcing him to switch to MacOS. Though he is not accustomed to Windows 11. He still hasn't figured out how to open apps using start menu (something he was very comfortable with during the days of Windows 95, 98, XE, 7). He mostly opens the apps and documents from the taskbar and quick launch. So I thought that with Mac he might find it easy, because its more user friendly.

I am not a Mac fan. I believe for a high end Gaming rig, Windows is the way to go but for Laptops Mac. My first 3 laptops were Windows. Before moving on to Mac, my last Windows laptop was a High End HP Envy 15, with a very good configuration. Intel Core i7 Quad Core CPU, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Full HD resolution (those were the days when Retina Display was a new in Laptops, so full HD was a big thing). After using that laptop for 1 year, it became slow while booting, and with other apps that take a lot of background process (antivirus, anti-malware etc.).

So I gave that HP Envy Laptop to my Wife, replaced its Mechanical Hard Drive with a Samsung SSD, and I bought a
15 inch MacBook Pro (2015 model) for myself. The SSD made things smoother, and reduced the boot time, and accessing apps. But I found that in terms of smoothness, reliability that HP Envy with SSD was no where closer to my MacBook Pro. Now I own an M1 MacBook Pro 16, but my 8 year old MacBook Pro, is still in a good condition and much smoother than my dad's Lenovo which is less than 5 year old.

Talking about Windows Alternative to MacBook Air, the only windows laptop that I find, can match the performance, reliability and ease of use is, Microsoft Surface Book and its more expensive than MacBook. My old man doesn't upgrade his laptop that often, until it reaches EOL. My 8 year old MacBook is still in good condition, except for few dead pixels that aren't noticeable unless someone pays close attention, which Windows laptop would you like to suggest that can run good for 8 years? And then my dad has iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Watch Series 6, iPad Pro with pencil, so I thought this whole eco-system integrated with MacBook will make his life easier. Still I am open to more suggestions.

 

[JamesMay82]

He already has the first generation iPad Pro with a pencil which he uses, on his bed. In his office (which he made in the house itself) he mostly works on his Laptop, never uses the iPad for any kind of input operation except WhatsApp

fair enough. I'd be tempted with a iMac then as my parents mainly use that have the larger font. To other post about windows, I put my parents on Mac because it was easier to troubleshoot with screen sharing if they ever have an issue

 

[sack_peak]

I am looking for a MacBook for my Old man, which will make his work easier. He is using a 13 inch Lenovo Laptop which has poor resolution, applications are slow, hands most of time. If that's not enough, it has annoying bloatware, that makes things worse.

Unlike me, my old man is not a techie, all he does is emails, word documents for his work, browse website, YT and sometimes Netflix. When I say he is not a techie, when he receives some word document in email he opens it directly in the browser, edits and saves, for him, downloading a document into local system and editing is cumbersome. He doesn't like switching through the windows.

So I was considering 2 options.
1. M2 MacBook Air 15: This MacBook has a higher resolution, so I though that when he opens multiple windows without maximizing them, and switch using stage manager, it will be the easiest thing for him. But for someone who is in his early 80s is 15 inch MacBook Air too heavy?

2. M2 MacBook Air 13: Its lighter than 15 inch MacBook Air but it has small screen and low resolution, so when it comes to easy of use like switching multiple windows through stage manager and other operations like reading, filling forms in the browser and other day to day documents and browser tasks will it be difficult because of small screen?

Why not hand down your oldest Mac to him that is newer than his Lenovo?

As you have described he doesn't need the latest & greatest.

If it is the MBP 16" in your signature then why not upgrade yourself to the newer model?

This is the instruction on how to transfer from Windows to macOS.

 

[maverick786us]

Why not hand down your oldest Mac to him that is newer than his Lenovo?

As you have described he doesn't need the latest & greatest.

If it is the MBP 16" in your signature then why not upgrade yourself to the newer model?

This is the instruction on how to transfer from Windows to macOS.

Weight and portability. His back is not at its best shape, 3 of his vertebra nerves compression causes him pain most of the time affecting his posture. That further escalated by reducing the blood circulation on his legs.
I can only imagine how hard it will be for him to carry a 4LBS MBP with other accessories, like iPad Pro, iPhone charger and other items. He travels a lot

 

[sack_peak]

Weight and portability. His back is not at its best shape, 3 of his vertebra nerves compression causes him pain most of the time affecting his posture. That further escalated by reducing the blood circulation on his legs.
I can only imagine how hard it will be for him to carry a 4LBS MBP with other accessories, like iPad Pro, iPhone charger and other items. He travels a lot

Why not just an iPhone then? iPad & Mac are redundant based on his health issues.

Why does he need to be so tech'd up with so many devices?

If he needs a full sized keyboard then he can do wireless bluetooth keyboard.

 

[maverick786us]

Why not hand down your oldest Mac to him that is newer than his Lenovo?

As you have described he doesn't need the latest & greatest.

If it is the MBP 16" in your signature then why not upgrade yourself to the newer model?

This is the instruction on how to transfer from Windows to macOS.

Weight and portability. His back is not at its best shape, 3 of his vertebra nerves compression causes him pain most of the time affecting his posture. That further escalated by reducing the blood circulation on his legs.
I can only imagine how hard it will be for him to carry a 4LBS MBP with other accessories, like iPad Pro, iPhone charger and other items. He travels a

Why not just an iPhone then? iPad & Mac are redundant based on his health issues.

Why does he need to be so tech'd up with so many devices?

If he needs a full sized keyboard then he can do wireless bluetooth keyboard.

Their are so many other factors that I have to take into consideration. Which also includes budget. An M1 MBP costs twice the costs of MBA and weighs nearly 2LBS more. Looking into my dad's health, budget and everything I have to find a perfect balance between weight, portability usability.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

You have a valid point of why forcing him to switch to MacOS. Though he is not accustomed to Windows 11. He still hasn't figured out how to open apps using start menu (something he was very comfortable with during the days of Windows 95, 98, XE, 7). He mostly opens the apps and documents from the taskbar and quick launch. So I thought that with Mac he might find it easy, because its more user friendly.

I am not a Mac fan. I believe for a high end Gaming rig, Windows is the way to go but for Laptops Mac. My first 3 laptops were Windows. Before moving on to Mac, my last Windows laptop was a High End HP Envy 15, with a very good configuration. Intel Core i7 Quad Core CPU, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Full HD resolution (those were the days when Retina Display was a new in Laptops, so full HD was a big thing). After using that laptop for 1 year, it became slow while booting, and with other apps that take a lot of background process (antivirus, anti-malware etc.).

So I gave that HP Envy Laptop to my Wife, replaced its Mechanical Hard Drive with a Samsung SSD, and I bought a
15 inch MacBook Pro (2015 model) for myself. The SSD made things smoother, and reduced the boot time, and accessing apps. But I found that in terms of smoothness, reliability that HP Envy with SSD was no where closer to my MacBook Pro. Now I own an M1 MacBook Pro 16, but my 8 year old MacBook Pro, is still in a good condition and much smoother than my dad's Lenovo which is less than 5 year old.

Talking about Windows Alternative to MacBook Air, the only windows laptop that I find, can match the performance, reliability and ease of use is, Microsoft Surface Book and its more expensive than MacBook. My old man doesn't upgrade his laptop that often, until it reaches EOL. My 8 year old MacBook is still in good condition, except for few dead pixels that aren't noticeable unless someone pays close attention, which Windows laptop would you like to suggest that can run good for 8 years? And then my dad has iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Watch Series 6, iPad Pro with pencil, so I thought this whole eco-system integrated with MacBook will make his life easier. Still I am open to more suggestions.

You probably know you can put (pin) Windows apps he likes to use in the taskbar in Windows 11... or even on the desktop, so he can access them in the way he likes instead of using the Start menu. For stuff like this, Windows is at least as flexible as macOS (taskbar and dock are easily first cousins at worst).

Overall, it reads like you have already decided you want him to have a MBair. All suggestions keep having some issue that points back to the desire to get him a MBair. I suggest just getting him what seems decided. It's a very nice gift.

I was going to newly suggest the 8-year-old MB gets Windows 10 installed on it to basically convert it into a PC since it's "in good shape", is the laptop (vs. desktop) you say he must have, etc. Windows is not like macOS where the Corp obsoletes the hardware so quickly. It probably still has 8 more years in it as a Windows machine. If you like the bigger desktop screen idea when he's home, nearly the entire budget for a new MBair could go towards a terrific & BIG screen + keyboard + mouse to which to attach it when he's not traveling.

However, all suggestions keep leading back to you want to get him a MBair. So get him one and Apple doesn't usually vintage until about year 7, so any one you buy will probably have that 8 years in it you seek. MBair is a great Mac. Up the RAM and SSD at least one notch to overcome some key shortcomings and likely support the full 8 year goal. I hope he enjoys it. It's a very nice gift.