Smart TV questions....

[Jenesis]

My dad has the oldest computer known to man. I shit you not. He can’t update anything anymore. Not a browser, not is OS, nothing. He has a 24inch TV hooked up to it as well and that is how he watches cable.

He only uses the computer to surf so I thought maybe getting him a Smart TV that would have a good browser for him, some apps like FB and YouTube, etc. I can set him up with a cloud-based storage system for his pics and stuff and that would be all he needs.

He insists he wants a keyboard and mouse for it. Do they even come with a keyboard and mouse? Can you get them as accessories?

Anyone have a recommendation about a good TV for this?

 

[WoodPeckr]

How old is his PC? I have a 13 year old core2 duo laptop hooked up to my large screen Smart HDTV and it really struggles to play things, movies, YouTube, etc, at times off that old laptop. The Smart TY has a weak Quad core CPU but it does perform overall better than my old laptop.

Smart TYs don't come with a keyboard and mouse. Some Smart TV apps do have browsers but they all suck because you have to use the TV remote as a mouse which is very slow and awkward. Even the ones on Ruku and Firestick. Hooking up a newer laptop or PC to any TV is the way to go, to use a keyboard and mouse. This basically turns your TV into a second bigger monitor.

 

[Jenesis]

How old is his PC? I have a 13 year old core2 duo laptop hooked up to my large screen Smart HDTV and it really struggles to play things, movies, YouTube, etc, at times off that old laptop. The Smart TY has a weak Quad core CPU but it does perform overall better than my old laptop.

Smart TYs don't come with a keyboard and mouse. Some Smart TV apps do have browsers but they all suck, even the ones on Ruku and Firestick. Hooking up a newer laptop or PC to any TV is the way to go, to use a keyboard and mouse. This basically turns your TV into a second bigger monitor.

He is still running windows XP.

I don’t even know how he does it. Nothing works. I tried to set up his speak-out phone and the text fields requiring info had no text along with it to tell you what info they were requiring and that is a simple web form.

I have talked about a new computer but he won’t do both, a new computer and a TV. Even a cheaper TV. He can’t keep using this 24 inch 20 year old RCA either.

I might make him buy the TV and I will gift him a new Mac mini. It will give him the best of both worlds but I have to then convince him to switch to Mac. Which I prefer but he likes his PC

 

[WoodPeckr]

LOL. There are lots of people around the world still using XP! There is even an unofficial Service Pack 4 for XP. You just have to make sure you have a good anti virus when running XP.

Those old RCA TVs can run forever.

4K HDTVs have really dropped in price and everything now is Smart.

Same with PCs unless you get a Mac which are too pricey for me.

I'm a Linux guy because it's FREE and better than M$ or Mac.

 

[xix]

I have no idea how old your father is, nor do I care. But I will tell you this from personal and seeing experience. I notice 3 types of OLD MEN.

1. Average semi smart men , before retiring will buy a new or, mainly one year old used Car, New TV and PC.
2. Below average men after retire, wishes he had bought it, but won't, and doesn't mind waiting for a free be.
3. Way Below woke retire men, didn't buy a used car, theirs is 10 years all ready at 150k, TV is not HDTV, won't even spend 500.00 on one new HDTV. If a new HDTV comes his way for free, and a used car say at 2000.00 that is 5 years old, HE WILL REJECT them.

Number 3 Men would rather suffer then spend any money to upgrade a bit to enjoy the lasts years of their lives.
When they kick the bucket. The children will take the money and spend it for their mother to enjoy her last years of her life. As long as the husband didn't tell the lawyer to bury him with his money in the coffin. That's when a smart women puts a blank cheque in the coffin.

Advice: Don't bother buying anything he will tell you to take it back to the store. If you don't believe me ask him if he is willing to take a New HDTV and you are paying for it.

I would like to know his response.

 

[Dcoat]

My dad has the oldest computer known to man. I shit you not. He can’t update anything anymore. Not a browser, not is OS, nothing. He has a 24inch TV hooked up to it as well and that is how he watches cable.

He only uses the computer to surf so I thought maybe getting him a Smart TV that would have a good browser for him, some apps like FB and YouTube, etc. I can set him up with a cloud-based storage system for his pics and stuff and that would be all he needs.

He insists he wants a keyboard and mouse for it. Do they even come with a keyboard and mouse? Can you get them as accessories?

Anyone have a recommendation about a good TV for this?

A couple of friendly suggestions.

Pick a smart TV that suits him.

Add a one generation older Mac mini for webwork

Add https://greyridgehosting.com/ for viewing content.

Watch this for remote access to give him a bit of a hand when he asks (he will ask).

 

[curr3n_c1000]

It all depend on how computer literate he is.

I would get him a Fire Tablet first. If he starts to use it more than the old computer, then look to add in a Smart TV or an Android box.

If he's not comfortable switching, keep the same set-up but upgrade the computer and monitor.

 

[Darts]

My dad has the oldest computer known to man.

I think Steve Job's first computer sold for over $355,000. There's a market for this old stuff.
Original Apple-1 computer built by Steve Jobs sells for $355,500 (mashable.com)

 

[Jenesis]

I have decided to hook up my older Mac mini that is still in good condition to his current TV. If he likes it, I will upgrade him to a new HDTV and new Mac mini for better performance.

I have no idea how old your father is, nor do I care. But I will tell you this from personal and seeing experience. I notice 3 types of OLD MEN.

1. Average semi smart men , before retiring will buy a new or, mainly one year old used Car, New TV and PC.
2. Below average men after retire, wishes he had bought it, but won't, and doesn't mind waiting for a free be.
3. Way Below woke retire men, didn't buy a used car, theirs is 10 years all ready at 150k, TV is not HDTV, won't even spend 500.00 on one new HDTV. If a new HDTV comes his way for free, and a used car say at 2000.00 that is 5 years old, HE WILL REJECT them.

Number 3 Men would rather suffer then spend any money to upgrade a bit to enjoy the lasts years of their lives.
When they kick the bucket. The children will take the money and spend it for their mother to enjoy her last years of her life. As long as the husband didn't tell the lawyer to bury him with his money in the coffin. That's when a smart women puts a blank cheque in the coffin.

Advice: Don't bother buying anything he will tell you to take it back to the store. If you don't believe me ask him if he is willing to take a New HDTV and you are paying for it.

I would like to know his response.

He is number 3. To a point. I have convinced him lately to start upgrading things. I got his chair upgraded to a new recliner, a new washing machine and dryer, a dishwasher which was a HUGE step for him.

Since I am the one who gets all the money, I am trying desperately to get him to spend it on him to enjoy his last years. I don’t want the money. I want him to spend every last dime on himself.

It all depend on how computer literate he is.

I would get him a Fire Tablet first. If he starts to use it more than the old computer, then look to add in a Smart TV or an Android box.

If he's not comfortable switching, keep the same set-up but upgrade the computer and monitor.

He knows how to use the Fire Stick and Android boxes because he does it here at my house and at the trailer.

 

[Darts]

a new washing machine and dryer, a dishwasher which was a HUGE step for him.

My 40 year old GE refrigerator is still working fine. During that time a friend is now on his 4th modern energy efficient refrigerator. My old Hatachi washing machine lasted 25 years.
I foolishly replaced my old furnace when it was still working fine. (My neighbour's 100 year old central air conditioner is still working.)

Ever notice in a storm, it is always the new houses that get their roofs blown off?

The quality of new things is crap.

 

[Jenesis]

My 40 year old GE refrigerator is still working fine. During that time a friend is now on his 4th modern energy efficient refrigerator. My old Hatachi washing machine lasted 25 years.
I foolishly replaced my old furnace when it was still working fine. (My neighbour's 100 year old central air conditioner is still working.)

Ever notice in a storm, it is always the new houses that get their roofs blown off?

The quality of new things is crap.

The computer software is outdated to the point that websites and programs do not display or work properly.

It is not about the hardware. It is the software. And while his TV may still work, it is no where near to quality of picture that is available now on TVs that will last just as long.

I’m not trying to upgrade him for the sake of getting him new. I am upgrading him because he needs to have better functionality.

I understand filling out email form fields without issue. I was trying set up his cell phone and the only thing showing was the text input fields but not the text info above that describing what they are asking for to be enter in those text fields. There was no way to set it up on his computer because his browser is no longer able to upgrade because his OS is also no longer able to update.

 

[WoodPeckr]

I foolishly replaced my old furnace when it was still working fine.

The quality of new things is crap.

Did the same. Old furnace was working fine.
Got a new Trane furnace with central air... you know nothing stops a Trane.....
Well mine stoped TWICE! Lucky the 10 yr warr. covered both replacements. On the Third one now, with fingers crossed.

 

[WoodPeckr]

The computer software is outdated to the point that websites and programs do not display or work properly.

Have an old PC with XP still on it. It runs XP but not well and is very slow. An old single core Dell with only 1 GiB of RAM. It ran decent many years ago but can't keep up today.

 

[Jenesis]

Have an old PC with XP still on it. It runs XP but not well and is very slow. An old single core Dell with only 1 GiB of RAM. It ran decent many years ago but can't keep up today.

That is exactly the problem. Speed is actually not bad but the software is so outdated there is just some shit that won’t work and not being able to fill out a simple form field is the computer saying - time to upgrade me.

going Mac is all about me. I will admit that. I am Mac, and he knows how to use it because he had my laptop for quite awhile. So changing him over won’t be a hard adjustment on him.

 

[Darts]

The computer software is outdated to the point that websites and programs do not display or work properly.

It is not about the hardware. It is the software. And while his TV may still work, it is no where near to quality of picture that is available now on TVs that will last just as long.

I hear you about technology. I had to retire my old laptop because, apparently, "they" switched the waves from G to N or something like that. Same with desktops, Firefox no longer supports XP. That damn Microsoft keeps changing O/S when there is no reason for doing so. Same with Apple. A bums up to them all.

 

[Darts]

Have an old PC with XP still on it.

I also still have a P4 with XP. I use it to download my 10mp camera pics but it does struggle to play 1080p videos but plays 720p fine. It works with the Internet but I often get Firefox or Chrome "not responding" or a "script" is not running.

 

[WoodPeckr]

I had to retire my old laptop because, apparently, "they" switched the waves from G to N or something like that. Same with desktops, Firefox no longer supports XP. That damn Microsoft keeps changing O/S when there is no reason for doing so. Same with Apple. A bums up to them all.
View attachment 38700

Get ready because Windows 11 is coming soon! Then an upgrade is needed for Office/Word, etc., due to Win 11 most likely won't be compatible with the W 10 version! Apple does the same. It's all a scam to pick our pockets.
Was lucky with Win 10 since M$ gave you a free version upgrade for W10 from your Win 7.

This always picking your pockets every couple years was the main reason I switched to FREE more secure Linux back in 2007. Found Linux about as easy to master as a Mac. Plus Linux Help Forums are excellent when just learning Linux.
Plus ALL Linux apps & programs, they have more than M$ & Mac combined are FREE.
It's nice being Windows and Apple free!

Getting back to my old PC with XP still on it. It runs XP but not well and is very slow. An old single core Dell with only 1 GiB of RAM. It ran decent many years ago but can't keep up today.
Fired it up today out of curiosity. It ran XP slow and not well.
Switched to the Linux OS, it's a dual boot system. Linux opened and ran fairly decent with that 1 GiB or RAM. It's Chrome, Firefox and Opera browsers all ran fine but on the slow side.

 

[Wanderer09]

My dad has the oldest computer known to man. I shit you not. He can’t update anything anymore. Not a browser, not is OS, nothing. He has a 24inch TV hooked up to it as well and that is how he watches cable.

He only uses the computer to surf so I thought maybe getting him a Smart TV that would have a good browser for him, some apps like FB and YouTube, etc. I can set him up with a cloud-based storage system for his pics and stuff and that would be all he needs.

He insists he wants a keyboard and mouse for it. Do they even come with a keyboard and mouse? Can you get them as accessories?

Anyone have a recommendation about a good TV for this?

If you buy an android smart TV you can use this keyboard with it. Keyboard also has trackpad so a mouse won't be needed.

Logitech K830 Wireless Illuminated Living Room Touch Keyboard - 920-007182 : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Logitech K830 Wireless Illuminated Living Room Touch Keyboard - 920-007182 : Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

 

[danmand]

Get ready because Windows 11 is coming soon! Then an upgrade is needed for Office/Word, etc., due to Win 11 most likely won't be compatible with the W 10 version! Apple does the same. It's all a scam to pick our pockets.
Was lucky with Win 10 since M$ gave you a free version upgrade for W10 from your Win 7.

This always picking your pockets every couple years was the main reason I switched to FREE more secure Linux back in 2007. Found Linux about as easy to master as a Mac. Plus Linux Help Forums are excellent when just learning Linux.
Plus ALL Linux apps & programs, they have more than M$ & Mac combined are FREE.
It's nice being Windows and Apple free!

Getting back to my old PC with XP still on it. It runs XP but not well and is very slow. An old single core Dell with only 1 GiB of RAM. It ran decent many years ago but can't keep up today.
Fired it up today out of curiosity. It ran XP slow and not well.
Switched to the Linux OS, it's a dual boot system. Linux opened and ran fairly decent with that 1 GiB or RAM. It's Chrome, Firefox and Opera browsers all ran fine but on the slow side.

I still have an up to date Windows 10 desktop, that I am using for most things.

But recently I bought a <$300 Chromebook, to take when I go somewhere for work or pleasure, and it does everything OK, that I need. I never use the advanced features of Word or Excel anyway, so I do not care about the newest Microsoft versions. I have a mini mouse and flash drives to go with it.

I think my next computer will be a faster, more expensive Chromebook.

 

[WoodPeckr]

I still have an up to date Windows 10 desktop, that I am using for most things.

But recently I bought a <$300 Chromebook, to take when I go somewhere for work or pleasure, and it does everything OK, that I need. I never use the advanced features of Word or Excel anyway, so I do not care about the newest Microsoft versions. I have a mini mouse and flash drives to go with it.

I think my next computer will be a faster, more expensive Chromebook.

I still use an up to date Windows 10 desktop, purchased Nov 2009, that I use for most things but it runs up to date Linux also. It's an Intel i7 that actually runs better now, than when it was brand new, after adding a couple SSDs .

I use and saved a couple old laptops for travel or pleasure that do everything OK, that I need. Laptops both run Linux fine. Looked at Chromebooks but found them too limited and under-powered.

Have my eye in this for a next PC; https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/7517433/Lenovo-IdeaCentre-5-14IMB05-Desktop-PC/
It's pretty loaded, a 10th Gen i7, running Win 10 Pro, more powerful, has double the RAM and costs 25 % less than what I paid for my i7 back in 2009.
What's holding me up on it is it lacks, M.2 and M.2 support, which I really wanted in my next PC.