ADSL 4 OAPs

Hi.

Im thinking its about time to get my parents online. At 64 and 69 years old, with no computer literacy at all, Any thoughts on a broadband provider?
Heres what Im looing at....
Their usage would be sending a few emails, webcam to see grandchildren in Oz, online banking, viewing a few financial websites and cheap holiday sites, thats about it. Maybe playing online chess or bridge!
Since they dont have a pc I thought AOL s free laptop offer for �20/m 18month contract was the perfect offer. However reading a few reviews they confirm that this offer is too good to be true. Though do you think it would be good enough for the limited use my folks would use it for? Although I would need something reliable as if the connection is dropped or cant connect my parents arnt knowledgable enough to know something has gone wrong.
My second thought is to buy a cheap laptop and get O2 at �12.50 12month contract. Reviews seam quite good. Orange would also be ok at �10/m but Im not keen on the 18month tie in.
Basically Im looking for a cheap package with reliability. Whilst I want to keep the costs to a mimimum I had considered BT inorder to get them a BTvision box but concerned what happens to BTvision at the end of contract if I change providers.

Any ideas welcomed.
cheers

Have a look at IDNET. You could always phone them on their free number and discuss your requirements. They are ever helpful.

www.idnet.co.uk

How important is the free laptop?

Utility Warehouse are also doing a "free" laptop (fujitsu) offer at the moment. (The free bit equates to an extra �10 a month for 24 months = �240 for a lap-top and wireless router). The additional requirement is to have one of your energy services with them as well.

It costs �37.99 a month for adsl - 24 month contract - includes line rental and free calls evenings and weekends. Add one additional service and you get 24/7 calls. Comes with a 40gb limit and wireless router. They even have a UK-based call centre..

Have a look and see what you think.

http://www.utilitywarehouse.co.uk/store/broadcall.taf

Apologies to all if this level of blatent advertising is not permitted, it is just hard to communicate what UW provide as they offer a broader range of services than just telecoms and are currently not listed on the forum.

This is a personal view, but if it were my parents I'd buy them the best current offer of a basic PC from Dell and sign them up to Newnet.

The laptop is not free if you are paying for i and to be honest I would be a bit worried with a Fujitsu Siemens, seen one of them that have been back to comet 3 times for repair and I hav heard that the budget machines are not that good.

Probably be better of with a desktop for an OAP. It's that bit more physical with a separate mouse instead of a trackpad. Look at Dell Outlet for cheap ones.

I know an OAP who went for Orange broadband deal at Currys, �14.99pm for 18 months with �300 towards a laptop and they are very happy.

Oh make sure to check out your local library for computer training, essential for a newcomer. The folks there will be able to explain terms and how to do things on the computer better than the average person.

Having had a look around, there are loads of laptops around �300 that would be suitable so, yep, its not worth going with aol just for a laptop thats going to cost around �250 over the two year contract. Think I will go with O2 and buy a cheap laptop.
cheers

thanks. will look into the currys deal.
was going with a laptop as folks dont want the bulk of a desktop, plus with wireless there would be more freedom with laptop. though desktop would be cheaper

Hi Adrian

I agree that you pay for "free" laptops - that was why I showed the numbers - it makes the decision easier. .

The laptop is an Esprimo V5535, which seems to get reasonable reviews and does come with a "lifetime" warranty - the best price I can find on line is about �300 for the spec.

Yeah, wouldn't say a laptop is cheaper just look at Dell outlet you have one for �250.
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=dfo

Another option is to recommend a Asus EeePC which is VERY easy to use. No start menu or that just nice big buttons with internet, chat etc. One thing, it runs Linux. Cant remember the distro off the top of my head, its one designed to be similar to Windows anyway. You can get a EeePC very cheap <�200 with a solid state hard drive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASUS_Eee_PC
Can get them at MicroDirect, eBuyer, Dabs etc etc