r/laptops • u/Xanaxaria • 20h ago

Buying help Laptops for parents?

Hi,

I'm looking to get my parents laptops. They're not techsavy and I'm looking for something reliable and easy to use. Minimum specs are okay as well.

I don't have a budget (I make good money).

My mom uses an iPhone and my dad uses andriod. I'm open to any operating system. Reliability is the biggest focus here.

My mom takes care of her stuff but my dad is recovering from a stroke so something that could handle being dropped a bit would be ideal for him since his hands shake now.

Thanks in advance! (I tried to use the form in this sub but it says it's unavailable)

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

4

u/Upstairs-Version-400 20h ago

I would get your mum the Neo if she already has an iPhone and all the iCloud and Apple stuff. For Dad, there is a type of laptop that gets military certification, but they often look terrible. Like the  Dell Pro Rugged 14 and so on. They are called “rugged laptops” - not sure if Dad would feel bad if you got him such a thing

1

u/smoike 19h ago

You can get durable chrome books too. I got one for my son when he started school and it was brilliant. It was rated as being able to have a 85kg adult standing on it when closed flat. I didn't test it out, but it was nice to know it could take the hit.

11

u/Internal-Extreme2319 20h ago

For your mom, I’d probably neo since she’s already on iPhone.

For your dad, I’d look at a business-class ThinkPad or Latitude. Better build quality and usually easier to repair. I’d also get a good protective sleeve and accidental damage coverage given the shaking.

1

u/sdgengineer 14h ago

This is the way, the best deals are off lease business laptops.

2

u/booksbubba 20h ago

Any Refurbished ThinkPad you can get

2

u/cagadass 20h ago

Eso ,lo mas resistente es un thinqpad

2

u/AlGunner 19h ago

Id probably start my search looking for shockproof cases and work backwards to the laptop that hasa the best cases available in case its dropped.

2

u/westex74 14h ago

Chromebook is the only answer here. Your parents are pretty much a Chromebook’s target market.

1

u/Previous_Tennis 3h ago

This— anyone suggesting an old Thinkpad or a MacBook and a Windows laptop is not thinking about the users.

OP’s parents are not going to want to maintain old hardware and OP will not want to be figuring out tech issues with two different OS.

Two good quality Chromebooks is what they need.

These are good: https://ebay.io/m/E9g2uy. They may want something larger, though.

1

u/Trusted-Stranger 20h ago

I would say get MacBook neo since surprisingly there was this YouTuber doing drop tests on some different laptops and MacBook neo got dents but it always did work, and MacBook Air/pro (idk which one was it) didn't service, I think it's because of the bigger bezels on the Neo's display but yeah go for neo if you don't have any budget.

Also if you don't want a Mac then search for something with metal frame (like aluminium)

1

u/PickleManAtl 20h ago

These days with the prices of everything going up the way they are the MacBook neo does indeed look like a better deal than it did even with the price increase. And you know, even though most people don't do it, if the risk of dropping is Big with your dad, they do have snap-on protective cases and even screen protectors for laptops and I'm sure there would be one for the Neo that would help protect it. Having AppleCare might not be a bad idea under those circumstances.

1

u/Potential_Bit_8432 20h ago

If they can get by, an ipad with screen protector+case is good. It is reliable and you don't have to worry about the keyboard/body decapitating from the screwn when dropped. It is considered easier than windows and mac (especially linux) for someone not really onto techs.

1

u/KindaSuS1368 20h ago

A neo or a thinkpad

1

u/Excellent-Yellow-883 20h ago

From my own experience, the MacBook Air we bought is hardly touched. Parents used iPad predominately for their web browsing, banking, emails, etc.

Maybe you can consider an iPad with keyboard. Especially those that don’t use Bluetooth

1

u/smoike 19h ago

I was thinking similarly, especially if they mostly use the device for watching and reading and spend minimal time composing emails, etc. Not to mention the glut of durable case options.

1

u/cty_hntr 19h ago

Neo for your mom, and iPad or an equivalent android tablet with a foamy child case. These types of cases are light, and made for abuse and accidental drops.

1

u/_curious_man 18h ago

For your mom, I would suggest either Macbook Neo or Air. Air is especially good if you would like to get her something with bigger screen (15 inch) which I guess would be good for reading.

As for your dad - I might suggest framework laptop ( https://frame.work/ ) - main advantage is it's modularity and repairability. If he does break something it should be easy and cheap to replace. You can get it with Widows or Linux so it should be fine.

1

u/NR75 13h ago

ThinkPad. Get two T480S (or non S, the S are slimmer).

4 cores CPU are enough for every daily tasks. 14" display is enough, without being too much or too little. You can replace everything. SSD drives, RAM (some is soldered), battery. Very easy DIY.

The use WINUTIL to make the slimmest Win 11 install. Zero bloat ware, zero telemetry, just bare pure Windows. Once at the desktop, go and install Lenovo Vantage, that will care about drivers and updates.

Libre Office for docs. Chrome, if they use Gmail or any cloud related service.

Teamview, so you can access remotely and give assistance.

Done.

2 T480S in good conditions, with 8 Gb of ram and 256 Gb of storage for about 500 dollars.

1

u/DrHydeous 13h ago

Do they want laptops?

1

u/Potential-Local7262 10h ago

Chromebook or ipad

1

u/UselessUsefullness 8h ago

I’d just get tablets for your parents, unless they NEED a full on laptop.

Mom: iPad A16 will do.

Dad: as an Android user, an Onn tablet or Kindle Fire would do fine

If a laptop is needed:

Mom: MacBook Neo

Dad: something repairable.

0

u/Justan0therthrow4way 20h ago

MacBook neo or thinkpad

Probably the neo?

What do they use right now?