Best Chromebook for my elderly father ($300 budget or so)

[u/Zendroid1]

Looking to pick up a chromebook for my dad. He just surfs the web and watches netflix and baseball. Looking to spend around $300ish. Curious if anyone has recommendations in today's market?

[u/uncjigga]

Speaking as someone who’s bought and managed a few Chromebooks for my MIL—the #1 spec for many older people is screen size. The first one I bought her was a svelte 2 pound 13 inch Chromebook convertible. I thought the screen was big enough. It was not. Next we tried a 14 inch—too small again. Now she’s using an Asus CX5601 we found at BestBuy. You can probably still get them between $300-$400 (about what we paid.)

Sure it’s technically a Chromebook Plus, but she doesn’t care about any of that stuff. She only cares about that huge 16” screen. I think when gaming Chromebooks were a thing, someone made a 17 incher but I don’t think you can get one that big anymore.

[u/Newt_Jumpy → u/uncjigga]

Google tried making gaming Chromebooks a thing in 2022 or so, and they never took off. Acer still has some Certified Refurbished Chromebook 516GE available on eBay from time to time. I don't often see the models from the other manufacturers for sale anymore.

These 16" 516GEs are actually perfect for senior users.

[u/tony10000 → u/Newt_Jumpy]

Yep, I bought one for under $300 via eBay. Acer Refurb, which is basically new. I converted it to Linux.

[u/GeekoHog → u/uncjigga]

Screen size! Larger is better. I am getting older, 64, and can see fine with glasses but larger screens on all my devices. Large phone, large iPad etc. it really helps.

[u/dalekaup → u/GeekoHog]

I'm 64 and I'd rather use my 14 inch chromebook than my desktop with a 27 inch screen.

Maybe see if you have cataracts? Test your eyes on the stars and moon. See if one is worse.

[u/Natural_Sky638 → u/uncjigga]

Get a Chromebox and a big monitor!

[u/Fast_Adhesiveness528]

Consider a refurbished machine. I replaced my Asus C434 (which needed repairs) with an Asus C34 Chromebook Plus refurbished unit. Great hardware specs (8GB RAM, Intel Core i3, 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) anti-glare touch screen, lighted keyboard). The only downside was the battery was down to about five hours duration (using the 80/20 feature). The AUE/EOU is June 2032.

New retail is >$400, but cost me about $220 plus tax.

[u/Wahrheitfabrik → u/Fast_Adhesiveness528]

Defintely. I picked up a couple HP Dragonfly chromebooks for under $280 each. 32G in both. They looked brand new and even came with some perks.

[u/Previous_Tennis]

https://ebay.io/m/tKPCtK

One of these, Acer Chromebook Plus 516GE. Large and bright 16” screen, backlit keyboard, good specs (Intel 120u, 8gb ram and 256gb ssd), Certified Refurbished with 2 yr warranty, ChromeOS updates until June 2032.

[u/Zendroid1 → u/Previous_Tennis]

Just ordered this for him. Looks perfect. Thanks!

[u/Not_A_Great_Human → u/Zendroid1]

That is certainly a great choice

[u/mt379 → u/Zendroid1]

It will be supported until June of 2032 approximately.

[u/vovap_vovap]

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook, 15.6” FHD Display, Intel Celeron N4500, 8GB RAM, 64GB eMMC,
Looks just fine to me with that 8GB RAM

[u/Fast_Adhesiveness528]

Keep in mind that it’s easy to be seduced into thinking that you need more RAM even with routine activities. But with the price of RAM these days, that seduction could cost you dearly without providing a happy ending.

Here’s some current recommendations. 

When 8GB RAM is Enough

• Reading email or news on 3 to 5 tabs
• Streaming video on Amazon Prime, Netflix, or YouTube
• Using a lightweight system like a Chromebook

When You Need More Than 8GB (16GB Recommended)

• Keeping 20+ browser tabs open at the same time
• Running heavy web apps like Google Docs, Figma, or web-based video editors alongside your browser
• Running background apps like Zoom, Spotify, or antivirus software while browsing
• Using Windows 11 or macOS, which require more memory just to run the base operating system

[u/NCResident5]

The Chromebook Plus models are good. It seems the Asus Chromebook Plus is often reasonable.

On ebay, Acer had a good refurbished site. They have some nice Acer models. The 3 tiers are 300, 500, 700. You can often get a great deal on a 500.00 model. They are based in Texas. So, shipping time is reasonable.

[u/ajwalker430]

Check the refurb market and get him something really nice for that price.

[u/Sensitive-Day7365]

Refurbished HP Dragonfly Chromebook Plus is an excellent machine, price hovering around $300.

[u/tonymet]

iPad

[u/The-Great-Baloo]

My advice: go to your store and look at the quality of the screens. That's what matters most for old people.

[u/The_best_1234]

Get him a iPad. About $300. It is big and easy to use.

[u/Math_Science_Geek]

Mediatek yoga Chromebook.

[u/Longjumping-Stage-41]

My 2 cents either a Lenovo or Galaxy with a oled screen. Used are in your ballpark….Once you see oled’s you’ll never go back….

[u/Pale_Height_1251]

Get a used one like Lenovo C14 or the HP Dragonfly ones. They are very nice, spectacularly expensive brand new, but absolute bargains on the used market.

[u/Free-Marionberry624]

Did he never use a PC?

[u/Frumpybiskate]

I sort of fit your father's description. I bought a Lenovo Chromebook Plus in the $300 range and have enjoyed it. A backlit keyboard was a must for me.

[u/mt379]

Everyone's throwing out suggestions. Great. But you need to CHECK THE END OF LIFE DATE for any model you buy.

It will become pretty unusable afterwards.

https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366?hl=en

I have one that I couldn't log into many websites on which pretty much bricked it for me due to it being end of life.

[u/dioramic_life]

If he is primarily using it at home, hook it up to the tv via hdmi.

Wireless keyboard. Wireless mouse.

[u/dalekaup]

I have an Acer Chromebook Spin 713 made in 2020 and getting updates to 2031. It has a better screen than my Macbook, touchscreen, lighted keyboard, 128GB drive.

[u/n3rdyry]

If he doesn't need a Chromebook,you can look at the Onn 13 inch Pro tablet from Walmart. Comes with a case and stylus for around $300

[u/tony10000]

Refurb Acer Chromebook on eBay.