I quite like the thought of one of those myself, but with only a 7" screen I'd want to know a bit more about the OP's parents' eyesight before recommending it

Yeah it's a thought, the text size seems about average. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Asus_Eee_proportions.png
The only difference between the EeePC and windows, is that in Windows you can change the DPI of the text. Not sure how to do it in Linux.

Really text size is always the same no matter which size of screen your using, it only changes if you don't run the screen in its native resolution. e.g. I upgraded from a 17" TFT @ 1280x1024 to a 22" LCD @ 1680x1050 and the text size hasn't really changed much. Infact it's not reall that different from my laptop which is a 15.4" at 1280x800 (I think thats the res).

I wish you hadn't posted the link to that picture, my credit card is itching

OP

Get them basic sky and get the broadband included. Plenty of doccos etc. The best present that you could give them is help to follow what interests them. By a desktop and explain about things. Just because they are not young anymore does not mean that they are not open to new things.

Your's isn't the only one! The black is just oooooooh! Microdirect had it in stock just on Friday.

Got a 2 hour commute coming up shortly so will be getting one of these. Apparently they are the size of a hardback book, the SSD and good battery life will be great on a train. I hear it whispering Paul buy me! They also have a 2 year warranty... unusual.

Edited by deleted (Sun 17-Feb-08 19:16:35)

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At 64 and 69 years old, with no computer literacy at all....Their usage would be ....online banking

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Given their pc knowledge perhaps it would be safer leaving online banking off the list

I manage quite well.

Hi, my thoughts on this interesting thread...

ISP � Tiscali broadband & phone with free line rental and free calls at weekends and includes free wireless router and they have the best web portal out there, which would be great for newbies.

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/products/talk/?code=ZZ-NL-11XY&srccode=COD_590

Computer � Clone Mini Tower Desktop with a 17� flat panel screen (with black bezel around screen) and two button Microsoft wheel Optical mouse.
I think a laptop is much too fiddly, we only need a laptop for mobility get them a desktop for ease of use.

Get one from Tesco, Computer World, Dixons, Currys.

At first, keep it all-simple no webcam add this later as a present. They could have an Epson inkjet printer it would be useful. (Epson printers have 5 or 6 separate ink tank cartridges).

Locate a telephone on the desk with the computer.

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ISP � Tiscali broadband

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The OP said:

Im looking for a cheap package with reliability.

Spot the deliberate mistake

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I manage quite well.

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from greyposter

So do I. Those of us fortunate to have started life during the war years are not without exposure to technology (radio, radar, decryption, television, sound and video recording techniques and, most importantly, perseverence and working out how it works).

Trevor