I am trying to find the easiest computer for my elderly mother to use. She has never used one before and only needs e-mail and the Web, so it needs to be really basic. What’s out there?
The Telikin is one such specialized system that touts itself as an “easy-to-use” machine for anyone seeking a basic computer. The system is based on has a touch-screen interface with large icons and includes built-in applications using Web and e-mail. Several reviews of the Telikin can be found around the Web and more information is on the Telikin site. Enablemart also sells computers for those with limited or specific needs.
Another approach is setting up a standard user account, (which can help thwart viruses, unintentional deletions and settings changes) on a standard Mac or PC and configuring the desktop with easy-to-see icons for the mail and browser programs. Accessibility options like screen magnifiers and audio alerts are available in both Windows and Mac OS X may help make things easier to navigate for those with visual impairments.
This approach may take more time on your part, but it also offers a wider array of software and activities should your mother finds she likes the computer. Computers running Windows 8, which has touch-screen capabilities, are expected at the end of the month.
A tablet computer — like an iPad, one running Android, or a coming Microsoft Surface model — may be the most portable and cheapest option for easy access. In addition to configuring a mail account and any third-party apps, though, you need to factor in setting up a wireless network to use for Internet-related tasks on the tablet — or get a model that can use a 3G or 4G cellular data connection.
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