pc experts: my mom needs a very simple computer for basic use

[faithnotgreed]

for email and word processing
she wants it to have windows xp and it should be less than $500

do pcs really exist that arent full of bugs and glitches
she is already overwhelmed by computers and needs whatever is easiest and doesnt create its own problems

so i think from reading this forum she should avoid gateway

any recommendations beyond that

thank you so much

[welshTerrier2]

1. check out these reviews ...

Cnet budget PC reviews: http://reviews.cnet.com/4521-6526_7-5021300-1.html?tag=dir.cc

of those listed, and i can't vouch for it personally, maybe the MAC is worth considering ... most of the others were more than $500 ...

for such limited usage, it might be worth considering looking for something used from a reliable dealer ...

[faithnotgreed]

4. thank you so much

i would love for her to have a mac since thats what i use but she has to have a pc

there is this one piece of sw she really needs for her limited eyesight called zoomtext and a local agency is providing it free for her to use on the computer but they have it for pc only

thanks again

[jayfish]

2. Yes PC's Exist Without (Mostly)...

bugs and glitches. The key to getting one "big box" is to immediately format it and re-install the OS, sans all of the pre-installed BS. It's easier on some big-box units than others.

Jay

[faithnotgreed]

5. oh -

thats a good idea

she needs windows xp for this one piece of sw she is being provided free of charge
she lives in a different state from me so i wont likely be doing that but just for the information can you please tell me how to do the uninstall/reinstall thing

thanks so much

[reprobate]

3. If you have a monitor and keyboard, there's only one choice.......

....and that's the Mac Mini. The biggest advantage of course is that it doesn't use Windows, and it NEVER crashes. In fact you don't even have to turn it off.....ever. The Mac OS X system is designed to leave on 24/7. It does it's system mainanence routines in the early morning hours.

And it comes with every program that she'll likely need.

I can't tell you how much easier computing has been since I switched.. My dog and wife no longer have to hide under the bed when I turn the puter on. And the air in the house no longer turns blue.

And then there's the lack of worries about viruses, and spyware, and malware. Oh, someday there will be a virus that will effect the Mac OS, but it's not today, and likely not tomorrow.

Who me? Pay for an anti-virus program? No thankyou.

[faithnotgreed]

6. believe me i would love that

but she has to have a pc (see above)

also we tried a mac for her recently because thats what i have and have been telling her for years that a mac is the way to go
the problem is that she is scared of computers and there is no one local that she knows to help her with mac support (and she definitely needs it)
my brothers live near her and they only have pcs so thats the end of that...

thanks for the response
i love macs

[deek]

7. check these out

Although I use the freeware iZoom from iassist.com (fabulous talking whole screen magnifier for windows xp)for my daughter, I found these links through his site.

http://www.magnifiers.org/links/Download_Software/Screen_Magnifiers/Macintosh/

http://www.magnifiers.org/links/Screen_Magnifiers/Macintosh/index.shtml

on edit:
from http://trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/mac/macshare.html

Magnification

Closeview 7.1

CloseView, a utility included in every Macintosh, enables users to magnify screen contents up to 16 times. This utility allows for easier viewing by users who are visually impaired. Freeware.

* closeview.sit.hqx (17k)

Lupe

Lupe is a utility that diplays a magnified view of whatever is underneath your mouse cursor. Freeware. See http://www.artissoftware.com/.

MFZoom 2.1

MFZoom is a system extension that increases the menu and window title font size to 14pt. This is useful for big screen monitor users and those who have to squint to see the normal menu font. Freeware.

* mfzoom_21.hqx (7k)

ZoomLens 2.5

This program magnifies the area around the mouse pointer in a box in the corner of the screen, making text and icons easier to see for individuals with low vision. Magnifies the area up to 24 times its regular size. Enlarges the menu bar, but not the actual menus. Freeware.

* zoomlens2.5.hqx (49k)

Other Magnification Information

* Screen Magnifiers Homepage

[faithnotgreed]

8. thank you so much for that information

this looks like something i need to investigate
she needs the voice function that comes with zoomtext with voice

do any of these have that
you use the mouse and it speaks those words as the mouse moves over it

we tried the voiceover function when she briefly had a mac but again with no one local to teach her or support her with it then she couldnt get any handle on it
with the zoomtext she has support through the vision agency that is providing her this software

thanks again for the response

[deek]

10. I haven't used any of these

except for the iZoom from issist.com (no available Mac).

Perhaps it would be best to just have your mom go ahead with what the agency is giving her, considering her need for tech support?

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

9. have you thought about having one built to her specs?

When I went out to get a new computer I found 2 styles: 1 with basically nothing, & the other fully loaded for gamers, etc. All of them came with keyboards, speakers, etc that I didn't need or want. I found a store that built them exactly the way you wanted. So, instead of a nothing computer, I would get more RAM, better video card, bigger processor & no million software programs that I didn't want or need. I was all ready to go that route when a friend said a guy he worked with would build me one. Believe me, if this guy hadn't built me one I would have gone with the store & had them build if for me.

Just another idea to throw out there.

best

[deek]

11. newvision.com

http://www.magnifiers.org/index.shtml

Interesting articles and links.

Perhaps you'd like to re/cross post in the Disabilities Forum? http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=250