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“What's the easiest user friendly computer for older people?”

If you ask any tech geek this question, their reply to you will almost certainly include “what are you using it for?”

So let's break that down. All listed prices are assuming that you're buying a used or refurbished device – new devices will obviously cost much more.

Just browsing the internet

If you are the kind of person who only uses your computer to browse classmates' obituaries and read Yahoo! News, I recommend a chromebook. You can buy them used/refurbished online for cheap, most have an SSD and boot up quickly, and they sort of “just work.” Many models are designed for use in an educational setting and thus can take a beating.

Chromebook

• Price Range: ~ $80 to $200
• Operating system: ChromeOS
• Profile: Small, lightweight, durable
• Downsides: Low power, unable to run non-ChromeOS apps

Simple app requirements

If you use your computer for tasks like playing games, browsing popular sites (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), and reading e-books, I recommend an iPad. While Android-based tablets are a similar option and can be cheaper, the most tech-illiterate individuals will want to stick with Apple for their absolute ease of use and higher level of security.

iPad/[Android Tablet]

• Price Range: ~ $100 to $300 [$50 to $200]
• Operating system: iPadOS [Android]
• Profile: Small, lightweight
• Downsides: Low power, fragile, faster-than-average obsolescence

Working at home

If your computer needs to be equipped with software like Microsoft Office, Photoshop, or Zoom, you'll need something a little beefier than the previous options. Here you'll actually need to start looking at the specifications listed in a listing's description. There's a lot of back-and-forth about which manufacturers make the best computers (Lenovo, HP, Dell, etc), but in my humble opinion, much of this talk is overblown. Every manufacturer has their own pros and cons; you should focus more on a desktop that looks and feels comfortable to you.

Desktop Specifications

• Operating System: I'm not a fan of Windows for many reasons, but it is the king of workplace computing, and you'll want to make sure your PC comes with the appropriate version installed (as of writing, that is Windows 11).
• RAM: Look for something with at least 8 GB of RAM. Nice cell phones today have at least this much, for reference. 16+ will give you a comfortable amount of processing power so that everything runs smoothly.
• Processor: Around 3.5 GHz is sufficient for most office use, definitely no less than 2.5 GHz.
• Storage: SSDs are faster to boot up and more durable than the older HDDs. Unless you need a ton of cheap storage for some reason, I recommend a PC with at least a 500 GB SSD, but definitely no less than 250. You can always buy portable storage later if you need more.
• Accessories: Check to make sure the PC has any additional features you need, such as Bluetooth connectivity or a disk drive.

Expect the above computer to run at least $300 refurbished, possibly much more depending on how high your specification requirements are. Windows isn't exactly what I'd call “user-friendly,” but it will at least be familiar for most users.

Buying the computer

Online shopping sites like eBay and Amazon are fine places to buy used PCs, and you can easily read user reviews and browse specifications. If you insist on buying one in person, be sure to go in with an idea of what you want and stand your ground. Brick-and-mortar electronics stores may allow you to see the product in person, but they prey on the uninformed, and if you go to somewhere like Best Buy you should expect to be pushed toward buying more than you need or misled about the products. Prices will also be higher than online equivalents.

Happy hunting!

#readerquestion #tech #shopping

Rebecca B. – BS Interdisciplinary Studies (Marketing/Computing) Return to home