Mac Mini for parents, suggestions...

Question

I am a recent "switcher" from PC's over to a new iMac. I'm absolutely blown away. Have had my computer for about 1 month, couldn't imagine going back to Windows.
My parents are having some serious issues with their Dell, problems with viruses, spyware, programs aren't loading well, etc. They are talking about getting a new computer, and I'd like to suggest they pick up a Mac mini, so they can use their keyboard, monitor etc. All they do is surf the web, check email, and use word processing - I think iLife and NeoOffice would suit them just fine. Both have never used Mac's, and I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience getting the parents (around 60 yrs old) or grandparents a new Mac. Have you found they "pick it up" ok? My parents' computer knowledge would probably fit in a thimble -I'm afraid they wouldn't know what to do with the mini. Any thoughts or experiences?

Answer 1

I can't say I have specific experience of the 'age' type, but in general it is safe to say that with MacOS being designed primarily for ease of use out-of-the-box, there are few users who genuinely find difficulty in using it, and many users who adapt to it very quickly and with little or no effort.
The problem is, however, that everyone is different, so however accurate a neat sweeping generalization about this is, it doesn't necessarily mean your parents will respond the same as each other to the new operating system, let alone both respond well to it. Chances are good, but it's probably best to assume they may at least suffer some of the issues that long-time Windows users do - typically minor frustrations with the fact there is only one menu bar, not one in each window, that closing a window doesn't always lead to closing the application too - that kind of thing.
In my experience running networks and providing user support, the less familiarity a user has with Windows and systems in general, the easier they find the process of learning MacOS, and the least they seem to trip over the differences. As such, if your parents really do have 'thimble-sized knowledge' they have a good chance of adapting really well - not least because there's nothing else to be bothered with that just clicking the icons! No antivirus and other security software to distract and confuse.
There are also some excellent materials they can look at, not least being Apple's own for switchers at http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/
That, and some on-going encouragement from you, a recent switcher yourself, on the subject of the ease of use of the system, and I suspect they could be expected to have little difficulty.