Are you a senior searching for a new laptop? Perhaps you are choosing a computer for your grandparents or parents? Or maybe you know you want something simple and quality at a budget price. No matter what type of consumer you are, it’s likely you are looking for a laptop with a specific set of basic requirements.

Younger folk often have a need for computer equipment that works hard with a more specific goal in mind. This drives the purchase, and with good reason. Teenagers who love to game need significant speeds and data capacity. Photographers who edit their images on a laptop are after huge screens with the best possible resolution. And professionals who work from home or work online want efficiency and productivity; they often opt for laptops with all the latest bells and whistles.

But for your average senior citizen, computer use is typically somewhat different. In most circumstances, you (or your parent or grandparent) doesn’t need the fanciest laptop on the market. Chances are, they are using a laptop purely for recreational purposes. They may wish to do some online shopping or play some simple games on the web, but by and large, older individuals are using the Internet for email, keeping in touch with friends and family on Facebook, reading the news, and perhaps streaming video.

With a short list of “must-haves”, seniors are able to save significant amounts of money by purchasing laptops that focus on the basics. These are still great machines---today’s budget laptops can handle all the essential tasks with ease. But which of these are the best?

We’ve compiled a list of 2018’s top laptop computers for seniors, to help get your search off to a good start.

Kogan Atlas 10.1" 2-in-1 D500 Pro Touchscreen Notebook

Want to go super simple? This could be the laptop for you or the person you’re shopping for. The Kogan Atlas is a laptop offered at an extremely low price. It’s small and portable, so it’s easy to hold on your lap while using or to carry along in a handbag.

It’s 10.1” Full HD 1920 × 1200 screen has touchscreen capability. This can be a nice feature for seniors as interacting directly with a screen can often be more straightforward than using a touchpad or an external mouse. It also makes the Atlas 10.1” a bit more like a tablet. In fact, users can easily switch between using the device as a laptop or, remove the detachable keyboard, rotate, and use as a tablet. With such versatility, it’s as if you’re getting two devices for the price of only one.

Curious about the battery life? This has a strong 6000mAH battery which can power you on a single charge through a whole work day. And you’ll be working on a phone with top performance. 4GB RAM and an Intel Atom x5-Z8350 Quad-Core processor round out the specs. You’ll also have Microsoft Windows 10 Home which now boasts Windows Ink. You can “draw” and “write” directly on your screen using a stylus. For the seniors out there who love pen and paper, this is a neat bonus that just might help unite tradition and technology.

Current prices for the Kogan Atlas 10.1” 2-in-1 D500 Pro range from $329-379 AUD.

Acer Chromebook 15

Here’s a great laptop choice for seniors. Though a light, portable laptop is a great advantage, many seniors prefer the visibility of a larger screen. At 15.6”, this Acer Chromebook delivers. Users will have no problem seeing on this Full HD IPS 1,920 x 1,080 display (one of the biggest you’ll find on a Chromebook).

Speaking of Chromebooks, they are going to pop up a lot in this article, because they make a top option for a budget-friendly, straightforward laptop. Chromebooks are devices that don’t offer much in the way of storage space and don’t allow for some of the capabilities of standard laptops. Instead, they operate using Google’s Chrome OS. On a Chromebook, you work directly in your browser and much of your storage is found in the Cloud. Because of this, Chromebooks are fairly inexpensive to produce and highly affordable to purchase. If you do most of your computer activities online (Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, email, etc.) than a Chromebook could be the ideal solution for your needs.

This Acer device has a lot going for it. Running on an Intel® Pentium® N4200 Processor and supplying 4GB RAM, the Chromebook has a durable battery life and loud speakers for audio (another potential plus for senior users). The keyboard is backlit, too which can make typing easier, especially in a dimly lit room.

Current prices for the Acer Chromebook 15 range from $598-788 AUD.

Lenovo IdeaPad 320 15.6”

Here’s another big-screened laptop that you might want to consider. The Lenovo IdeaPad 320 is not a Chromebook, and comes ready-to-go with Microsoft 10 Home. This laptop has been “designed to simplify your life,” with a streamlined desktop and an elegant minimalist design. That promise sounds good to most of us, and perhaps especially for seniors, who often want to do just a couple of key tasks on their computers.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 320 has a potent AMD A9 9420 Dual Core Processor as well as an impressive 8GB RAM. It is capable of more than a Chromebook, which may make it an ideal choice for a senior looking for a quality machine that can do the basics, plus a bit extra. Excellent sound and display are part and parcel of this device. You’ll receive crisp resolution on your 15.6" HD Display (1366x768) and the audio works well at any volume, minimising any distortion.

This laptop works lightning fast and enables multitasking with ease. Open multiple tabs in your browser and easily switch between them. Need an extra hand? Your virtual assistant Cortana comes with Windows 10 Home, ready to provide answers and guidance for your computer experience.

Current prices for the Lenovo IdeaPad 320 hover around $899 AUD.

HP Notebook 15-BW

Reviews are solid for this HP Notebook. This is another laptop measuring in at 15.6”, a size that is definitely a favourite for seniors and non-seniors alike.

Working on your memoirs or storing lots of photos of your grandchildren? Take a look at this HP Notebook. This laptop might be a top choice for those who are seeking a bit more storage space in a device, as this is equipped with a 1TB hard drive and 8GB RAM.

For a basic laptop, this one gets the job done. It doesn’t lag, thanks to its AMD A6 Dual Core Processor, and it has a nice-looking design for visual appeal. Streaming videos or listening to music is a pleasure with the HP Notebook aided by the AMD Radeon™ HD Graphics and the BrightView (1366 x 768) WLED-backlit display.

Current prices for the HP 15-BW027AU hover around $598 AUD.

Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA

If 15.6” is too large and 11” is too small, you might be thrilled with the Asus Chromebook Flip. It measures a moderate 12.5”, perfect for using on a desk, table, or on your lap.

And that’s not the only great thing about this device. The Asus Chromebook Flip is basically a 2-in-1 device, with the ability to use it as both a laptop or a tablet. With its unique 360 degree hinge, the device can open up, flatten out, or fold back completely, which gives it extreme versatility. With its full-HD touchscreen, you’re ready to use it as a tablet.

Whichever mode you use it in, the Asus Chromebook Flip will perform well. The Intel Core Processor combined with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage yields seamless performance. The laptop is highly portable, weighing in at only 2.65 lbs. It’s durable, too, with a premium aluminium finish.

As a Chromebook, you’ll be working within the Google Chrome OS. This eliminates excess, bulky programs on your laptop and creates a fast workspace. It even starts up quickly and lasts for approximately 10 hours on its strong battery.

Using your Chromebook Flip in bed? The integrated light sensor will adjust the screen’s brightness for you automatically, giving your eyes a break. A backlit keyboard also makes typing easier in any lighting.

Don’t forget the security features. This device has inbuilt antivirus protection and executes its own updates on an automatic schedule. With your Gmail/Google account used for login details, you can also depend on the solid security offered by Google.

Current prices for the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA range from $634-899 AUD.

Helping your grandparents buy a computer? With this list, you’ll have a few great options to get you started on your search.

Great Laptops for Seniors in 2018

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