Me, Eileen and My sister n Brother in law

[Dangermouse]

After my mum has seen tinterweb for the first time (she is 66 bless her) she has decided to keep in touch via email and messenger.
She doesnt like the idea of a laptop as its too big so we have decided on a notebook for her with something like a 10" widescreen, will this be ok for her once she has learned the basic operation like turning it on and logging onto yahoo ect.........can the resolution be made larger for her to read like a laptop.

Its a Xmas pressie so has to be right

 

[whitewash]

id say that for someone using a computer for the first time a notebook/netbook would annoy the hell out of her. the keys are too small and close together and the trackerpad is tiny, ok for just checking emails but what if she starts to do more web browsing or word processing, the small screen would just start to annoy.

a 14.4" laptop would be a much better idea, more spacious keyboard and trackpad, and a bigger screen, yes its bigger but it still sits on the coffee table!

we recently got a laptop for my gran, shes 70, shes learning to use it slowly, we did give her a desktop first but she got annoyed with it so bought a laptop instead,

 

[who?]

I'd get a full size machine. Older people tend to have variable eyesight - big screens are easier.
Full size keyboards are easier as well.

I would say that a netbook will be way too small.

 

[retired]

I did hear that the (toy) of the year for Xmas is an Acer lap top £200.

 

[hashcake]

I'd get a full size machine. Older people tend to have variable eyesight - big screens are easier.
Full size keyboards are easier as well.

I would say that a netbook will be way too small.

I agree with this.
Also, if she has any previous typing experience, she'd probably find a desktop keyboard more comfortable to use.

 

[david1701]

if you use them a lot you do get used to little keyboards - I had a 11.1" sony for a few years and loved it, only reason its not still my lecture notes machine is the dead screen

something that doesn't often get mentioned is screen power consumption - I could pull 7-8 hours with wifi off and the lowest brightness setting, haven't pulled four hours from my current lappy yet