Got a call from someone asking that I set up his new computer. It's a Wow computer. They run Linux.

 

https://www.mywowcomputer.com

 

Guy is a senior citizen. Wife recently deceased. He doesn't really know what he's going to do with machine. Well, he may use it to check out some travel sites. He's not expecting to do any printing. I know other users who just use a tablet and have no need to print.

 

My thought is that he'd be better off with a tablet or a Windows laptop. Geez, that Wow computer cost $1,000 USD. He has a 30-day return policy.

 

What you all say?

Buy a Tablet that way if he wants to sit in a place with WIFI he can use it there.

 

Then again a Laptop would give him storage where he can save pictures and stuff (and external backup).

If I remember correctly, the hardware in the WOW computers is really low quality.

The reason that they are able to charge so much is they promise free software updates etc.

I don't think it's worth nearly that much money.

If he can return it, he's much better off with a small Windows pc or even an Android tablet.

I'm in agreement with a Windows machine - probably a laptop or All-In-One.

 

I have an Android 5 phone and an iPad. I think the iPad is easier to use. Can you shed some light as to why you prefer Android tablets? I may lean that way only because Apple keeps wanting users to update their equipment. There are several apps I can't run on my iPad 2 because it needs a newer iOS.

For one, the Android tablets are much less expensive than the iPads.

Also, if something goes wrong with the OS, it's very simple to reset them.

For what he intends to use a computer for, it will more than satisfy his needs.

On the other hand, due to his age, he may do better with a small computer or laptop.

The tablets aren't really the best viewing for the elderly.

I tried a tablet for my mom but she did better with a 15' laptop.

Buy a Tablet that way if he wants to sit in a place with WIFI he can use it there.

I'm in agreement with Rustys.

For what he needs the system for, there'll be too much Software with a laptop/Desktop.

AntiVirus isn't an absolute necessity with an Android Tablet..... so that's one less thing for him to think about.

There's quite a few 10" screen Tablets now that have excellent graphics.

I personally wouldn't entertain an Ipad.... pay once for a Tablet, put on it what I want and do what I want with it, that's me.

As he's a senior.... the less he has to think about the better.

Plus if he falls ill, he'll still be able to use the Tablet in bed.

I love my 10.1" Samsung Android tablet and so does my husband (who doesn't know what OS he uses; just point him to the browser and he is good to go). We are both in our 70's.

The tablet came with Word and Excel and since that's the only part of Office my husband ever uses, I think it will work fine when his Win 7 computers are pulled offline by me.

 

I read books on it, watch movies, and installed ESET for mobile devices ( free) and MBAM free on it. Android updates with at all the agony associated with Windows. My tablet upgraded from Marshmallow to Nougat. When it was ready to install, Andy Android showed and I could see what % was being done as it installed. Once it finished, I simply started using the tablet again.

 

There is a chain called Five Below. I bought a fairly large size bluetooth keyboard for $5. No problem pairing it with my devices.

I also bought a leather case for $5. The tablet fits in and I can use it as a pedestal in portrait or landscape mode. (See the attachments)

I love Five Below.

It's amazing how many computer items can be purchased there for really excellent prices.

Thanks all for your input. By the time I got to his house, he had already pretty much decided to send the Wow computer back. I brought along a laptop and a tablet for demo purposes. I noticed that his now deceased wife's computer was sitting in a box. We packed up his Wow computer for return. He's going to let me know when/if he decides what to do. At this point I think he's leaning toward a tablet.

 

and oh yeah, there are two 5 Belows in my errand run area. I've purchased a few computer/tablet related items there. Unbelievable that you can get a table cover for $5. I got a nice Belkin case for my iPod Touch there several years ago.

he had already pretty much decided to send the Wow computer back.

Glad to hear that. I hate when people, especially the elderly, get ripped off.

 

You could probably install a nice version of linux on his wife's computer and it would also work well as a backup computer.

Good idea. I hadn't thought of putting Linux on his wife's computer. I believe it's running Vista because there's a Vista license sticker attached to the machine.

I'd make sure that you can obtain all of the drivers for the Linux OS first.

Good planning.

Try running Live Linux and see if it works.

 

All I have ever done is install Linux onto a system and it runs. Never had issues out side of the ones I have caused.

 

I think that Gary (Dookie) also brought this up on other forums as well.

I had one computer that it ran fine (old Simply MEPHIS). I installed it and lost the internet so I had to scrape it off.