Broadband for 90 year old

[Stevemr]

So due to CV my father in law who is a switched on 90 year old will be in lock down on his own.
He has phone and mobile, but we would like to get him on internet to email grandchildren and access google for news and any items of interest he may want to look at.
But we need to keep it as simple as possible.
I have a plan, and just want to check with more tech savvy that it will work.
I am with 3 mobile and can get a Huawei E5573bs-322 4G with 20 gig of data a month for £9 a month.
I have a decent hp laptop I no longer use running windows 7 pro. With up to date mcafee antivirus.
No banking or personal stuff will be on laptop.
So laptop emptied of all not read programs docs etc.
Only icons on desktop, google and mcafee.
Mcafee set to run automatically.
1- get Huawei thing off 3
2 - set laptop up to recognise it.
3 - set up gmail account with some favourites saved for him.
4- deliver to his doorstep with typed simple instructions on how to switch on, access gmail and google stuff.

Does that all make sense, am I missing anything. Will it work?

[Harpoon]

Install TeamViewer Host (set a good, long password) so as long as it has Internet, you can connect to it remotely to help with any problems

[JulianHJ]

Sounds good - what’s the Three signal like at his place?

[deckster]

An iPad would I suggest be better than a PC. It's far more intuitive than Windows, elderly hands often struggle with mice, and it's much less likely to go wrong and need support. He can also use it sat in his comfy chair rather than having to move to a desk.

[Chozza]

I'd anything like my mother - i'd add a wired mouse , laptops trackpads can be fiddly

and maybe look at some of the accessibility settings .. mouse trails , larger font that sort of thing , whatever is appropriate

its also got a big ..click here to let chozza assist icon .. that opens the remote connect to me

[Stevemr]

Thanks for replies so far.
Checked 3 signal it’s good.
Had him try iPad and laptop, he found it much easier to type on laptop.
That remote control sounds good, is that free, do you have a link to it?

[Chozza]

And patch it to the latest version .. and then switch off updates!

( Normally not recommended but once you've left nothing on that is a risk , no banking or anything it will make it easier ... getting stuck in a feature upgrade or similar in the next few months wont be good )

[Stevemr]

Wired mouse, bigger fonts, bigger arrow, all great ideas. Switching off updates a good idea as well. Thank you.

[98elise]

deckster said:

An iPad would I suggest be better than a PC. It's far more intuitive than Windows, elderly hands often struggle with mice, and it's much less likely to go wrong and need support. He can also use it sat in his comfy chair rather than having to move to a desk.

I'd agree with this (or alternatively an android tablet).

My 70yo mother is a technophobe but manages to sort out most things on her tablet.

[David87]

Definitely agree with the iPad idea. My grandparents get on reasonably well with theirs, but would stand absolutely no chance with a PC.

[Harpoon]

Stevemr said:

Thanks for replies so far.
Checked 3 signal it’s good.
Had him try iPad and laptop, he found it much easier to type on laptop.
That remote control sounds good, is that free, do you have a link to it?

https://www.teamviewer.com/en/download/windows/

Install the Host software on the laptop - set a long, random password and note the numeric ID it generates
Either install full Teamviewer or download the Portable version (further down the download page) - the portable means you can run it as needed on your PC without installing anything
Then to connect when the laptop is online, you'd enter the ID and password on your PC

It's free for personal use, just a few adverts for the paid version

[Dogwatch]

I can understand the preference for a PC. IPads are great - there's one next to this lappy at the moment looking at me reproachfully - but accidentally touch the screen in the wrong place and pouf!

Can be very frustrating especially if you aren't sure how to get back on track. Again.

Apart from the price and dreaded flattus batterus I don't think there is much to choose between a wired and wireless mouse for convenience of use. The price difference is only about £2 -£3 in Wilko anyway and the wireless meece have a storage slot for the receiver which is neat (though not relevant to this discussion!).

[anonymous-user]

Can't you set up his mobile to do all the things you want (assuming it is reasonably smart)?

For some applications I don't really understand why people want broadband when often their phone on 4G gets them a faster speed and will do all they need.

[The_Jackal]

Believe me, much more can go wrong with a beginner and a PC than a tablet.
He wont be doing that much typing anyway, just the odd search. Most things will be just touching links and pictures.

I got my dad in his 70s used to a tablet before he passed away and he had never used anything electronic in his life. You'll find news and Youtube will be their main use. It really opened the world up to him. Video calls and unlimited crime documentaries on YouTube made him very happy (even though my mum hated what he liked to watch lol)
Give it him with the usual apps and links on the home screen and he will be fine.
Get a nice samsung with a data sim in it and bobs your uncle.
You really DO NOT want to be sharing a phone's data with a laptop and expecting nothing to go wrong.

[Stevemr]

His own mobile is most basic possible.
He wants to email grandkids( one is at sea but can get internet) more than look at things.
Tried him typing on iPad and laptop. He found it far easier on laptop. Fully appreciate iPad may be simpler. But he couldn’t type on it at all as easily.
Have ordered the router. So will see how I get in setting it up with big icons and arrows and remote ability.
Thanks again for all who replied, ain’t piston heads great!