Looking for a refurbished or new iMac for my dad.

[Lost-in-FL]

What ya'll think? He is 79 and have problems with his vision. The reason that I want to get an iMac is really for him to read ebooks because he is no longer able to read books or the newspaper for long and
all e-readers I have seen seem too small (even with the letters maxed out) for him. Because he worked all of his life in construction he is getting depressed because he is no longer able to work. Now that is having difficulty reading it is getting worse and knowing this is breaking my heart. He has NEVER used a computer in his life beside a calculator. Macs are easy to learn and my nephews are open to teach their grandpa on how to use it. I picked iMac instead of a laptop because I want something that he can magnify to the max so he has to make little to no effort reading. I will be the nook for mac to download his favorite books. I like the iMac because of the large screen but I am debating if to buy a new or used iMac. Any suggestions? Do you know of a place where I can get refurbished iMacs besides the Apple Store? Should I go with the previous model (the all white)?

[struggle4progress]

1. Dunno but a quick search suggests the iMacs often have screen problems

24" iMac Screen Freezes since 10.6.3 update
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2384136&tstart=0

Apple internally acknowledges more 27" iMac screen issues
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/01/apple-internally-acknowledges-more-27-imac-screen-issues.ars


New large screen iMacs start around 1700. If you want apple, you can get a new macmini (no screen, keyboard, or mouse) starting at 700, and if you don't need an apple monitor, a 27 or 27+ screen should run you art most 350, though you'd also probably have to shell out maybe another 50 for the "Mini DisplayPort to VGA adaptor" -- and if you don't insist on apple, you can probably get a usable 'puter with keyboard and mouse for under 400, buy the monitor, and not have to buy a vga adaptor

[Lost-in-FL]

2. Thanks for your response!

I jumped on e-bay last night and found the prior 20" model for $700 (first aluminum imac) from someone who is using his macbook more than the imac. The computer is in excellent condition for what I can see and is under Apple Care. I have the Snow Leopard family pack that my husband bought by accident (the computer comes with Tiger) and will update and upload all books using Nook. I also ordered big letter stickers for the keyboard and all. I am really exited about this! :-)

I hope I don't get burned in the process. For good or bad, I am sorth of a "spare of a moment" person and act too quickly.

[emulatorloo]

3. What about an iPad instead?

Apparently seniors pick that up pretty easily and the e-book reader part is very customizable. Advocacy groups for the blind love the iPad (they hate the Kindle)

I think they are much easier to learn than a Mac.

This place tracks best deals on macs and I-things.

http://www.macprices.net/

[Lost-in-FL]

4. I considered the iPad

But my parents don't have a computer where they can make the updates et al. It was better just to get a computer instead.

[emulatorloo]

5. You could set it up for him on your computer before you send it to him

I'm just thinking about my mother-in-law, who is about the same age. There is no way she could handle a mac. The OS, the mouse, etc. But I read so many stories about very young children and the elderly picking up an iPad and just running with it.

Basically the computer is needed for the iPad for just a couple things:

- initial set up
- OS upgrades when available
- back up of purchases

He can buy books, music. video directly from the iTunes store iPad. You can "gift" him books from the bookstore via email. Or just deposit some money into his iTunes acct to use however he wants. If you are worried about back up then you can back up his iPad whenever you visit.

He would need some kind of ISP though.

[Lost-in-FL]

6. I only get to see my parents every couple years tho.

That's why I chose the iMac. If he can use a cd player he can learn to use a Mac (or at least I hope!!!). I will be there to teach him how to use it and select the books he wants. I can see first hand if it works for him or not reason why I chose a used system in case he gets overwhelmed and end up not liking it. Most of all, the system is costing me as much as the new iPad. I know it is a risk but I figure that if he end up liking my iPad better than the computer, maybe... just maybe... I can give him my iPad (which I use heavily for school) and resale the iMac for the new iPad. All this sounds expensive but it pays to see my Dad out of his depression, give him something fun to do to pass the time. What is depressing him the most is not being able to read. With the Nook and Kindle for Mac he will have lots of choices to pick from and he can use the zoom if he needs to.


My brother will provide with the ISP.

[emulatorloo]

7. Yeah that could be a problem. Here's a link on iMac Deals i forgot, covers both used and new

I can't remember if I gave you this link - It tracks deals on both new and used machines:

Best Intel iMac Deals
http://www.lowendmac.com/deals/best-intel-imac-prices.html

Also I saw MacMall has some good deals on new "last years model" ones w free Fedex:

http://www.macmall.com/home

Please keep us posted!

[Stinky The Clown]

8. Can you back up an iPad to Mobileme?