[flutterbye]

I just got an email from my mother asking if I had any recomendations as to which Mac she should get. I'm completely clueless as to what to tell her, as I've only used a Performa, a IIsi and my current eMac. I need some help from someone who has a little more experience with and perspective on the different kinds of Macs. I don't think she's opposed to buying an slightly outdated version, a G3 for instance, as I think she'll be using it mostly for email and word processing.
Does anyone have an idea about a) what would probably best suit her needs, or b) where I can find a site or some other information which goes through the different breeds in a "If you want/need/will be doing this, this, this and this, this one is your best option. However, if you want/need/will be doing this, this and this, you want this one" kind of way?
Thanks,
Saille

[dougster]

Hi -Saille,
Sounds like mom doesn't really need a super hi/end Mac for her needs. There are a couple deals that Apple offers I noticed at their online Store: Click and go to red tag Save The 17" iMac might do the job, and is not real pricey. Not sure of any sites that narrow down ones' needs.

[drmbb]

Don't know of any site like that. Back in November I set my mother (in her 70's) up with an eMac (superdrive model), and we switched her to DSL. She loves it, and OS X, and it is a perfect machine for her - email, web shopping and surfing, word processing (using Appleworks) newsletters, and digital photography are her main uses (we got her a new Epson inkjet printer with the computer - only $30 after rebates when purchased with the eMac). The all-in-one form factor also worked very well for her setting.
I'd think the Mac mini would also be a strong contender in your case - does your mother have a monitor she could use? That would be the single biggest extra expense with the mini.
Of course, the iMac would do all she wants too - but it's the pricier alternative, and for typical home users, it's more computer than most people will ever actually use.
If she wants portability, even if just to use freely around the house in a wireless network setting, then the iBooks or powerbooks are what you want, but you are potentially getting quite pricey then. My mother looked at the 12", but did not like the screen, and the 15" was just too expensive (she lives in Ontario as well, so th eMac was enough - with a RAM bump to 768MB and tax, it was over $1300 - this is the 80GB/superdrive model).

[WebFusion]

If you want to make her really happy, go to an online auction site and take a look at the PowerBook G3 laptop codenamed LOMBARD... it can be obtained for less than $300 and offers both USB and built-in ethernet. Since I'm not a fan of OSX and prefer the OS9 operating system, I feel this is one of the best deals in used macs out there for the bucks. I'm ready to get one myself, replacing my trusty old 1997-vintage PB 1400.

[kerby74]

If she is concerned about cost, needs every thing (as in monitor etc.) why not suggest the eMac as you have experience with? Especially if you are going to be a support resource for her questions, you may have more ability to help her if you both have the same machine...

[macnuke]

kerby74 has a sterling idea as you will be supporting her. and the red tag section has emacs AND warranties.. (important for mom. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
another route would be this..
IF she has a USB keyboard and mouse... and a decent monitor.. buy the new Mini.
new mini.... 499
with everything she needs.. email to photos and web browsing and more.. the iLife package would probably do more than she ever will.
and the stock 256M will be just right for her.
and eMac red tagged, you will just have to catch one as you can.
or break down and get her a new one /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
either way, the entry level unit would be fine...
my recomendation would be the Mini.. even of you had to add a keyboard.
BUT> you could buy yourself an upgrade from your eMac and let her have your eMac /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
show her the love heh heh
m

[dougster]

[indent]In reply to:

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BUT> you could buy yourself an upgrade from your eMac and let her have your eMac

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[/indent]
LOL..now why didn't I think of that...good one -Macnuke

[macnuke]

err.. cause I'm the cheeky one?

[flutterbye]

Thanks everyone. I'll pass your advice on to her.