Which MacBook Air for a Senior Citizen?

[icemantx]

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My mom is 72 and lives in AZ - I am in TX. I am considering getting her a new MacBook air for Christmas o replace her 2006 white MacBook. Since she is not local to me, I can't take her to an Apple Store to compare the 11.6" to the 13". Which screen size do you think would be best? Would the 11.6" be too small? She does wear glasses also and the old MacBook is a bit hard for her to read due tk the screen being kinda dim.

Thanks!

 

[Hellhammer]

I think 11.6" is too small. Older people often appreciate big screens and since it's her main computer, I would pay the extra for 13", although the resolution in 13" may be a bit high as things are quite small (so maybe normal 13" MBP?)

 

[hcho3]

13 inch.

 

[acurafan]

13 inch.

That's what she said.

Seriously, I think either is fine. Going to be getting my uncle the 11" mba for basic browsing/email for Christmas (or whenever apple get's their display issues resolved). He's much older and can't really move around so smaller/lighter the better.

 

[Lord Appleseed]

Does it have to be a MacBook Air? In my opinion a white MacBook would be better and cheaper for that cause.

 

[Bulldog3777]

Which One

I am 68 and have the 11.6. But I got it for travel. If it were my only computer I would have gone for the 13in. I have the Imac 21.5 in and I use that at home. I would say the 13 definitely.

 

[acron1]

Does it have to be a MacBook Air? In my opinion a white MacBook would be better and cheaper for that cause.

Ditto...

 

[Hankster]

I would not suggest a MBA. If she ever needs an optical drive (and people do STILL use them) she's going to be frustrated and out of luck. I'd get her a new generation MB. I doubt your mother will care about the extra 1.5 pounds, but she'll love the nicer screen and faster processor.

Also, most older people do not like "change". Given she has a MB already she will be very comfortable with a new MB. The MBA is different in enough respects that she will be lost at times.

 

[icemantx]

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I should have mentioned that they also have a new MacBook Pro 13" that my Dad mostly uses. The old white one is the extra my mom uses... She does not use the DVD and mostly uses the computer for email, Internet and sometimes Pages.

The only hesitation with the plastic is the durability...

 

[Over Achiever]

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I should have mentioned that they also gave a new MacBook Pro 13" that my Dad mostly uses. The old white one is the extra my mom uses... She does not use the DVD drive or much of anything other than email, Internet and sometimes Pages.

The only hesitation with the plastic is the durability...

Have you thought about the iPad for her?

 

[Fraaaa]

Does it have to be a MacBook Air? In my opinion a white MacBook would be better and cheaper for that cause.

I think 11.6" is too small. Older people often appreciate big screens and since it's her main computer, I would pay the extra for 13", although the resolution in 13" may be a bit high as things are quite small (so maybe normal 13" MBP?)

Have you thought about the iPad for her?

MBA 13", MacBook if you can't afford the price difference.

iPad could indeed be another solution.

 

[icemantx]

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She tried out the iPad when she was here this summer and had trouble with typing on it and the concept of surfing the Internet with her fingers...

 

[scenemissing]

I would absolutely say 13 for an older user. The 11.6 only makes sense if you're comfortable with the small screen size and really need portability. You said that her current screen was " a bit hard to read" so only the 13 would make sense for her IMO. The 11 would be a bit of a downgrade for her most likely...

 

[CaoCao]

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My mom is 72 and lives in AZ - I am in TX. I am considering getting her a new MacBook air for Christmas o replace her 2006 white MacBook. Since she is not local to me, I can't take her to an Apple Store to compare the 11.6" to the 13". Which screen size do you think would be best? Would the 11.6" be too small? She does wear glasses also and the old MacBook is a bit hard for her to read due tk the screen being kinda dim.

Thanks!

Get the 13" and reduce the resolution one step

 

[iDave]

Get the 13" and reduce the resolution one step

=blurry. Not such a good idea, IMO.

 

[Tomple]

I would absolutely say 13 for an older user. The 11.6 only makes sense if you're comfortable with the small screen size and really need portability. You said that her current screen was " a bit hard to read" so only the 13 would make sense for her IMO. The 11 would be a bit of a downgrade for her most likely...

I agree although personally, i love my 11.6"

 

[coelacanth]

I'd recommend 13".

But both 13" and 11" have quite high resolution display for its size, resulting in smaller overall interface size (button, text, etc).

Tweak the interface little bit with universal access and other tricks, and either of them should work fine though.