New computer for grandma?

[Mac407]

Trying to decide, she currently would like a new laptop. I was looking at the MacBook Air as a recommendation for its 999 starter price, not sure if she would need the 16gb of ram or the 256 Vs 512 gb storage. It would mostly be for browsing the internet, doing light banking/payments, and to store photos. Is the pro version worth the extra few hundred dollars for the improved screen, speakers, and battery life? Thanks!

 

[blueflower]

I think your grandma would be more than ok with the base model with 8gb ram for doing all that you described.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I agree with Blueflower. The base model will be more than enough for your grandmother. The pro model would be overkill.

 

[jdb8167]

Trying to decide, she currently would like a new laptop. I was looking at the MacBook Air as a recommendation for its 999 starter price, not sure if she would need the 16gb of ram or the 256 Vs 512 gb storage. It would mostly be for browsing the internet, doing light banking/payments, and to store photos. Is the pro version worth the extra few hundred dollars for the improved screen, speakers, and battery life? Thanks!

Storage is the most likely thing you should consider upgrading. Do you know how many photos she has? I’m not much of a photographer and I have close to 100 GB of photos and videos. It is pretty easy to accumulate a lot.

 

[IowaLynn]

People who were using Zoom during the last year might want to look at the Pro. I'd think even an iPad Air would suffice - add kb or use as tablet + stylus.

Even an IPhone can do all that she requires probably.

 

[trevpimp]

I say the base MBA would be good for her

MBP is good for battery life and brightness levels and maybe the extra core you get

Cheers

 

[Clix Pix]

Does she shoot photos with her iPhone or a camera, or are the photos she stores those which are sent to her by other people? If she does take photos herself, does she use Photos or does she post-process and edit her images with other software?

Does she merely "browse the internet" or does she actually actively participate in forums such as this one or in email "loops" with others, or enjoy playing games on the computer? Does she spend a lot of time in reading and writing email? Is she into Facebook, Twitter, etc.? Getting a better idea of how she actually does use a computer and how frequently can help her make the decision about which new machine would best suit her needs and preferences.

In the long run the M1 MBP with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD/storage might be the better choice, as that computer, as mentioned, has the better display, an internal fan for cooling, better speakers, great battery life, and would be good as a machine for the long term if she tends not to buy new computers all that often.

 

[jerryk]

Based on your description I would guess that storage requirements would be the limiting feature. Can you check her existing system and see how much storage she is using?

Regarding Pro versus Air, I don't see anything in your list that requires more than the Air and think the extra money would be better spent on storage.

 

[Euroamerican]

Is she familiar with MacOS? Interface changes really bug some people as they get older.

 

[Tikatika]

Here’s my two cents. I’m soon to be 84! I’m a nerd from way back. My family calls me Grandma Geek. I just upgraded to an M1 basic MacBook Air and I’m crazy in love with it. Does everything I need it to do. I game on a PC so didn’t need my laptop to be a powerhouse. You’ve noted what your grandma does. The MacBook Pro would be an expensive overkill as would an upgrade in ram for what she uses her laptop for.

As for photo storage, I have hundreds taken with my iPhone 11 Pro Max. I pay $.99 a month for additional iCloud storage. Lots of very inexpensive storage devices available as well.