Though there are always exceptions to the rule, most seniors use computers primarily to email family and friends, do searches for health updates and leisure activity information, read consumer reviews for products or to monitor the weather. Therefore, the best laptop for senior citizens would likely not include fancy new releases with sophisticated gadgetry, software and entertainment options. All the bells and whistles of many top-rated notebooks also come with an expensive price tag – a feature that would not benefit a population that lives mostly on retirement savings and fixed incomes. It would seem that affordability, simplicity, light weight and ease of access to the internet would be the primary features for a laptop designed for seniors.

The Amazon-exclusive Asus UL20A-A1 offers users a thin, light notebook with up to 7.5 hours of battery life. Weighing in at 4.2 pounds, this model has a 12.1-inch HD backlit LED screen, a 250 GB hard drive and 2 GB of RAM with up to 4 GB possible through expandable slots. The ultra portable laptop comes with a Windows 7 Home Premium operating system.

One of the reasons this Asus model is ideal for seniors is the ease with which it is possible to navigate email and visit favorite sites. The chiclet keyboard feature is one that has small, flat rubber rectangles for keys. They resemble small erasers or Chiclet gum, the trademark chewing gum for which this kind of keyboard is named. Having intuitive keys that are easy to see and easy to push make the laptop experience an inviting one for seniors.

There are some technological features that can be quite beneficial to seniors. Surround sound on the Altec Lansing speakers makes it easy to hear sound and offer home theater acoustics. The Asus Smart Logon feature uses face recognition software to log on users automatically. IceCool technology prevents the palm rest from becoming hot to the touch. Wireless connectivity and an included webcam give those who are comfortable instant visual access to friends and family.

On a practical note, the Asus UL20A-A1 costs less than $600. Defects are protected through the Asus 360 one-year global warranty and an accidental damage warranty. A 30-second boot time does not wear on the patience of any user, and there is a 24-hour tech support service. So many features in one simple, affordable package make this notebook a best laptop for senior citizens.

The Toshiba Satellite T135-S1307 TruBrite comes with a slightly larger screen and a little longer battery life. At 3.9 pounds, it is the lightest and thinnest notebook that Toshiba makes. This model features a 13.3-inch screen, nine hours and 22 minutes of battery life with the low-voltage 1.3 GHz Intel Pentium SU4100 processor, 500 GB of hard drive memory, 3 GB of RAM, 1.3 megapixel face recognition software, built-in stereo speakers, a full 85-key keyboard and the Windows 7 Home Premium operating system.

A few distinct features separate the Toshiba Satellite T135-S1307 TruBrite from the Asus UL20A-A1. An HDMI-CEC audio-video output allows seniors to easily other media players in use with just one remote. With three USB ports built into the side of the notebook, this Toshiba Satellite model has the capability to charge cell phones and other devices like cameras while the laptop is in sleep mode or turned off. Draft-N Wi-Fi networking and a fast Ethernet function give users faster speed and broader connection range than other brands. Bluetooth connectivity allows senior citizens to synch their PDAs and mobile phones.

The best features of the Toshiba Satellite T135-S1307 that make it a best laptop are its weight, price ($599.99), and internet connection speed. It is, however, a best bet for senior citizens who are a little savvier than most about electronic devices and comfortable using them. The model has been noted as a laptop that reduces environmental impact because it restricts use of mercury, lead and other harmful substances.

The Sony VAIO VPC-W121AX/W offers up to 7 hours of battery life, a 250 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM, a built-in Motion Eye webcam and microphone to allow chatting and image sharing, and a 10.1-inch wide-screen display. Some of its cool best laptop features are the same as those of the Toshiba Satellite T135-S1307: Bluetooth connectivity, Draft-N Wi-Fi networking, reduced environmental impact and face recognition software. Additionally, the Sony VAIO VPC-W121AX/W comes with VAIO Media plus Multimedia Streaming software, which allows users to stream photos, music and video to another computer, television or Playstation 3 (or from these other devices to your laptop). Because this model is specifically designed for mobility as well as mobile devices, it can reduce electrical current leakage and help save battery life.

One drawback of the Sony VAIO VPC-W121AX/W is that the laptop comes with a Windows 7 starter edition. This may not be such a tragedy to most, but many buyers want full editions to have full access to all available features of the software. Sony has included an option to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium at any time. This is a consolation, but an extra added step for those who want to use all features immediately. At a price of just $485.14, the Sony VAIO VPC-W121AX/W is extremely affordable for senior citizens with just enough speed and technical gadgets to keep them connected to family and friends.

Though the Asus UL20A-A1 seems to offer as a package the features that are most appealing to seniors for price, weight and ease of use, it will never be clear cut to select only one best laptop for senior citizens. Learning curves, computer experience, budget and desired purpose for use will always make the computer purchasing experience one that must be tailored for each individual user. Before an elder or someone shopping for an elder whips out a credit card or checkbook, he or she will need to now exactly what the skills level of the user is and the intended use. Not knowing these details before a purchase could make your money land for the wrong product.

This post is tagged with: asus, senior citizens, sony vaio, toshiba, toshiba satellite