THAT'S exactly what moved me to get one. It's what the son uses every day at school, so why not have one at home too? Along with the Droid tablet, the iPad, the laptop, the desktop, (formerly) the MacBook Pro..... LOL, technology isn't something he's without (or afraid of). Like!

What was the deal with the cloud storage? Ours is a Samsung so it might not of come with it, but I'm not sure I read each little thing that come with it. Perhaps it did...

So let's hear your opinions....

My parents need to get a new laptop. Their current laptop is 5 years old and running XP. Would a Chromebook be better? My Dad has straight up killed some of his past computers because of malware and shit like that. They're in their 60s and really only need to edit documents, check e-mail, browse the web and possibly skype later on. My Mom says that she'll need to use Publisher....but I'm not to sure about that one.

Would a Chromebook be a better purchase?

At 60 many people aren't as open-minded to change the way they do things. But if they're the exception to the rule other than "browse the web Publisher" (I'm not sure that that is), there's nothing they can't do. And the need to be connected to the web might be tough if they don't have a well-connected house - and locations they travel too. I used mine for a week solid (packed the laptop away for a week), and simply found that I packed my MiFi "all the time".

Hell, if nothing else, if you have a kid, I'd order one and let them try it. If not, order the laptop and tell you kid they have a new toy...

But again, I'm liking mine...

I love it when people list off things like that and use "only" in the same sentence. That's describing a real computer. They might be able to do some of that with Google Docs, but it'll piss them off and they'll complain to you.

The high budget option is a Mac. She can print pictures and make cards to her heart's content with iPhoto and the stuff that comes with the Mac out of the box. Dad can't muck it up with malware either. I know folks from an older generation that really liked the ability to go take classes and stuff at the Apple Store.

Low budget option is a Windows 7 machine, but factor in all the software when you compare prices.

Guess it depends on how much you value the time spent having to be their help desk.

Nice! You must have a Mac... And the extra coin you spend on it is usually a fraction of the extra coin folks don't spend on protection. Don't get me wrong a Mac is less likely to be attacked than a windows machine.

I've used both, but I find that I end up being tech support regardless. And as long as I wear three layers of clothing, the MacBook Pro wouldn't burn my legs then just inexplicably and suddenly die without as much as the courtesy of the BSOD! And the fine folks at the Apple store, when they weren't teaching the hags from JKV how to use the one-button mouse, would look at it - for a price! I find that if you don't want to be tech support, tell them you're not tech support!

But I loved that Mac, I loved that Mac, I loved that Mac...........

Their budget is $500.....so the Mac is out of the question.

Got a monitor? What about a mini?

Well that's a used Apple mouse from the 80s!

http://www.folklore.org/images/Macintosh/1984_girl.jpg

Since I made the switch, I've done far less tech support.

"I'd love to help you but I don't have a Windows machine in front of me so I can't walk you through it. Sorry."

Look on Craigslist.

I got a 2011 iMac 21.5" for $800.

The lady barely used it and after 8 months gave up and got a Windows machine.

You can find newer MacBooks on there for less than $500.

To each their own, I suppose. To replace the office apps, iPhoto and iMovie you're looking at adding $250 for Lightroom and Premier Elements plus between $70 and $100 per year for office.

Add that to the fact that my seven year old iMac is still going strong while our mutual friend has a five year old machine that can't be upgraded.

Except my parents aren't going to use any of that shit. They already own Office from their last laptop. They're literally adding nothing in the way of software outside of what comes on the laptop when they buy it.

No need to get pissy there bro. You're the one that said they needed to edit documents and use publisher.

It's not being pissy....it's simply stating that they don't need all of that stuff. It's like asking someone about a $4000 vehicle and them telling you that you should buy a brand new BMW.

She'd LIKE the ability to use Publisher later on. Doesn't have to be now...