Toshiba Chromebook CB30 for Elderly Person

[Deactivated] on 03/04/2015 - 14:47
Last edited 03/04/2015 - 14:49

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has this chromebook and can assess if it would suit an elderly woman's needs (around 60). It's currently $349 at JB Hifi (RRP $499) which is a great price. https://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers-tablets/chromebooks/tosh…

This elderly person…
- Watches videos on youtube (no HD)
- Wants a 13-14 inch screen.
- Uses Hola to stream videos on websites
- No downloads or torrents
- No word processing
- Will not install programs (games)
- Not good with technology, e.g. is scared if she presses a wrong button, the whole machine would stop working.
- Will not use the cloud storage

Concerns:
- RAM is only 2GB and may not be fast enough for streaming videos
- May find difficulty in using Chrome OS as she has been using Windows OS for years
- Toshiba Satellite laptops at this price point on eBay come with 4GB RAM and 500GB hard drive, that seems like a better buy. But screen is too big and laptop seems bulky for her.

My budget is $350 max for a slim and light chromebook/laptop.

Computing Chromebook 13.3inch Computer Laptop Toshiba

Comments

  • dylanando on 03/04/2015 - 15:47
    +1

    the chromebook would be beyond fine

  • Onysius on 03/04/2015 - 18:50

    As a ChromeOS user, I love it. I love chromebooks, chromeboxes etc.; as I can do almost everything on them that I can do on a Windows PC and I don't need to worry about backing up my stuff, as it's all in the cloud. I'm even using one right now.

    However saying this, I personally would not recommend one for an elderly person (familiar with using Windows) who is afraid of technology; as there is a learning curve. A change in a recent update had me thinking, for a while, that I had broken/deleted something that I shouldn't have.

    There a many inexpensive windows laptops available now, which I think would be a better option.

    • [Deactivated] on 05/04/2015 - 00:36

      thanks for your reply. I agree with you. I tried it in JB-hifi today and it wasn't very easy to use. Much harder for an elderly person. Thanks, I'm just going to stick to a cheap windows computer instead! :)

      • [Deactivated] on 05/04/2015 - 00:38

        For example, I found out that the chromebook doesn't allow you to print by connecting the printer in and installing the printer driver. You need to print via a cloud.. I can't expect the elderly person whose afraid of technology to learn and remember that.

  • mrmarkau67 on 05/04/2015 - 12:57

    The drawback of Windows is it's so easy to accidentally download malware and wind up with a gimped browser riddled with toolbars, the cheap processor groaning under the weight.

    If she is used to windows XP or 7, the transition to 8.1 is jarring to say the least.

    If you are prepared to lock it down, a windows laptop offers more flexibility, but I think a Chromebook is worth a try.

    • scrimshaw on 05/04/2015 - 20:55

      I transitioned my 60 year old mum from Win 7 to 8.1 with no issues.

      The only problem was with the start menu, but that's nothing that Classic Start can't fix. Once the classic start menu is back they can't tell the difference between 7 and 8.1.

  • MasterScythe on 06/04/2015 - 09:39

    As long as you're able to do the initial hardware setup (such as Printers); I'd suggest trying UBUNTU with the default UNITY interface.

    It's the most friendly OS you've ever used, and to the lay man, 'virus proof'.

    Simply rename the links to 'Libre Write' to 'Word' etc. and they'll never know the difference :)

    Its what I use for all my elderly clients, they love it. partly because it does everything out of the box :)

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