PC to Mac conversion for non-techie baby boomers
December 6, 2018 12:16 PM Subscribe
My 68 year old mother, a life-long PC user, is finally ready to accept my Macbook air since her current machine is very slow. What's the best way to prep her for the "conversion?"
I've offered getting her a new PC before, but she'll automatically refuse any new product since her old machine was good enough. Over the last year, she has complained about its performance enough that I have finally got her to agree to take my perfectly-working year old Macbook Air, since I've been talking about upgrading. (This seems to make her more happy than me buying a new machine, and she knows I don't have a PC so not like I could fool her with a "used" gift there.)
After being raised on PC's and only spending 6-8 years on Apple, I do feel like I've finally adjusted to the point where the OSX functions feel completely normal, and using Windows feels alien. I do remember the initial adjustment though, and I'm afraid my mother will refuse to go through the steps of learning a new system and want to stick with her old PC. She is of average tech use for her age, she has an android smartphone and has an ok level of understanding how to use it. She doesn't use social media/upload anything and the main thing she uses the computer for is internet browsing (and Solitaire).
So, is my best option to try installing Windows on the mac (which I have no idea how to do) or should I try to help her adjust to OSX the best I can, printing out some shortcuts and trying to walk her through the differences? Some basic googling sounds like running Windows on Mac OSX might make the machine slower. However, when looking for this same question I didn't find anything super helpful; a couple of apps that might make things more familiar, but nothing that suggested an easy conversion.
What would you do in my position? Is anyone aware of any websites/resources specifically designed for the older generation switching from Windows to Mac? (Should I just give her a new PC that "fell of a truck?!") Thanks in advance!
I've offered getting her a new PC before, but she'll automatically refuse any new product since her old machine was good enough. Over the last year, she has complained about its performance enough that I have finally got her to agree to take my perfectly-working year old Macbook Air, since I've been talking about upgrading. (This seems to make her more happy than me buying a new machine, and she knows I don't have a PC so not like I could fool her with a "used" gift there.)
After being raised on PC's and only spending 6-8 years on Apple, I do feel like I've finally adjusted to the point where the OSX functions feel completely normal, and using Windows feels alien. I do remember the initial adjustment though, and I'm afraid my mother will refuse to go through the steps of learning a new system and want to stick with her old PC. She is of average tech use for her age, she has an android smartphone and has an ok level of understanding how to use it. She doesn't use social media/upload anything and the main thing she uses the computer for is internet browsing (and Solitaire).
So, is my best option to try installing Windows on the mac (which I have no idea how to do) or should I try to help her adjust to OSX the best I can, printing out some shortcuts and trying to walk her through the differences? Some basic googling sounds like running Windows on Mac OSX might make the machine slower. However, when looking for this same question I didn't find anything super helpful; a couple of apps that might make things more familiar, but nothing that suggested an easy conversion.
What would you do in my position? Is anyone aware of any websites/resources specifically designed for the older generation switching from Windows to Mac? (Should I just give her a new PC that "fell of a truck?!") Thanks in advance!
If you install Windows using Boot Camp it won't be running within macOS, it will boot up separately and just be Windows. In that way she wouldn't have to learn anything at all (except for adapting to Windows 10 if she's not already using it), but you'd probably have to pay for a new Windows 10 license to do this since OEM licenses don't transfer to new hardware. Reasonably current Macs make fine Windows machines, and Boot Camp handles the installation and all the drivers for you. I've got Windows 10 running on a much older Mac mini and aside from the fact the installation itself was entirely unsupported (because that combination isn't supported by Apple, not because there's any technical reason it wouldn't work) it actually runs just fine.
But if all she's using is a browser, Chrome is Chrome and Firefox is Firefox. If she's used to either of them she shouldn't have any adaptation issues. I personally prefer Safari but I wouldn't try to dissuade somebody from using another browser if that's what they like. If she's using IE or Edge, well, she'd be better off switching anyway and going to macOS will force the issue in a way that just saying "mom, use this instead" won't.
posted by fedward at 12:44 PM on December 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
But if all she's using is a browser, Chrome is Chrome and Firefox is Firefox. If she's used to either of them she shouldn't have any adaptation issues. I personally prefer Safari but I wouldn't try to dissuade somebody from using another browser if that's what they like. If she's using IE or Edge, well, she'd be better off switching anyway and going to macOS will force the issue in a way that just saying "mom, use this instead" won't.
posted by fedward at 12:44 PM on December 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
~10 years ago my mom got another virus that ended up with me throwing my hands up and shoving an aging Macbook into her hands. I did very little to help her with the transition other than sitting with her for an afternoon with it before she drove home four hours away pointing out where "her Firefox, Google, and GMail" were 'hiding'.
I think she's on her third at this point, having replaced on her own the one I gave her after it died, and then having upgraded the replacement when it felt too slow (she's super into digital photography, which has inspired her to learn stuff on her own). She's whip-smart, but I'd never describe her as a computer lover, nor is she a hater like both my father and stepdad, more agnostic than anything else. I hear very few complaints, and field almost no "support" calls--which is pretty much the exact opposite of the decade or so when she had a Windows PC. Your mileage will of course vary, but I suspect it's less of a difficult transition than you're worried about.
posted by togdon at 12:45 PM on December 6, 2018 [4 favorites]
I think she's on her third at this point, having replaced on her own the one I gave her after it died, and then having upgraded the replacement when it felt too slow (she's super into digital photography, which has inspired her to learn stuff on her own). She's whip-smart, but I'd never describe her as a computer lover, nor is she a hater like both my father and stepdad, more agnostic than anything else. I hear very few complaints, and field almost no "support" calls--which is pretty much the exact opposite of the decade or so when she had a Windows PC. Your mileage will of course vary, but I suspect it's less of a difficult transition than you're worried about.
posted by togdon at 12:45 PM on December 6, 2018 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Eh, she should be fine with your MB Air and MacOS.
- Show her Finder and demo how she can make her way around in it.
- Set up Dock to her liking and show her how to modify it.
- Go through the common sections of System Preferences with her and show how to change. And point out that each app has its own preferences section via dropdown.
- The trackpad will probably be the biggest hardware change between her old PC and your Air. Go into that section of SP and set up the taps/forced presses/gestures to her liking. The graphical demos there should help a lot.
- Oh, I guess there's the delete key too. Show her how to backspace without a backspace key.
- After getting all that set up, hang out with her for a bit while she goes through some of her routine uses a few times, just to make sure she develops a bit of comfort with the new system without getting stuck somewhere and frustrated. All will be well.
posted by ClingClang at 1:41 PM on December 6, 2018 [4 favorites]
- Show her Finder and demo how she can make her way around in it.
- Set up Dock to her liking and show her how to modify it.
- Go through the common sections of System Preferences with her and show how to change. And point out that each app has its own preferences section via dropdown.
- The trackpad will probably be the biggest hardware change between her old PC and your Air. Go into that section of SP and set up the taps/forced presses/gestures to her liking. The graphical demos there should help a lot.
- Oh, I guess there's the delete key too. Show her how to backspace without a backspace key.
- After getting all that set up, hang out with her for a bit while she goes through some of her routine uses a few times, just to make sure she develops a bit of comfort with the new system without getting stuck somewhere and frustrated. All will be well.
posted by ClingClang at 1:41 PM on December 6, 2018 [4 favorites]
In addition, prepare her by letting her know it will require some adjustment, and may be a bit frustrating at first. Assure her that within a few months the Mac will be second nature, and she will not look back.
I speak as someone who made the transition a number of years ago.
posted by elf27 at 2:49 PM on December 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
I speak as someone who made the transition a number of years ago.
posted by elf27 at 2:49 PM on December 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: So, is my best option to try installing Windows on the mac (which I have no idea how to do) or should I try to help her adjust to OSX the best I can,
You do not need to put Windows on a Mac. There are, or were, switch guides (there are some dead URLs out there). There are some current-ish books that might be useful. There is a nice starter guide from Apple actually and this other page. The big thing I have found with older tech users is that they often like a print book to manage so I would shy away from "Hey this keyword searchable ebook I'll put right on your laptop!" even though it might sound like a good idea.
Another question would be whether she's going from a desktop to a laptop also in which case there may be some other issues (having to plug and unplug stuff maybe).
But in general, get her set up. Set up her dock. Make sure mailto links don't open the stupid mail app. Make sure she understands notifications. Put on a good browser and add an ad blocker to it and a good set of solitaire games and let her choose one she likes. Set it up to automatically download updates to both the OS and flash. Step her through some of the preferences (and put the preferences link on her dock if it's not there). Get her a backup drive and set up time machine. Eschew the Cloud unless she's got ample bandwidth and wants to pay for space eventually. I usually set people's Download location (from within the browser) to the Desktop so they can see stuff. Make sure she knows you have to QUIT a program, not just close the window. And also that there are always (usually always) preferences for programs hiding under the program's name in the menu by the apple icon. I have had Macs for a long time, I find they work better for older PC users most of the time.
posted by jessamyn at 3:57 PM on December 6, 2018 [5 favorites]
You do not need to put Windows on a Mac. There are, or were, switch guides (there are some dead URLs out there). There are some current-ish books that might be useful. There is a nice starter guide from Apple actually and this other page. The big thing I have found with older tech users is that they often like a print book to manage so I would shy away from "Hey this keyword searchable ebook I'll put right on your laptop!" even though it might sound like a good idea.
Another question would be whether she's going from a desktop to a laptop also in which case there may be some other issues (having to plug and unplug stuff maybe).
But in general, get her set up. Set up her dock. Make sure mailto links don't open the stupid mail app. Make sure she understands notifications. Put on a good browser and add an ad blocker to it and a good set of solitaire games and let her choose one she likes. Set it up to automatically download updates to both the OS and flash. Step her through some of the preferences (and put the preferences link on her dock if it's not there). Get her a backup drive and set up time machine. Eschew the Cloud unless she's got ample bandwidth and wants to pay for space eventually. I usually set people's Download location (from within the browser) to the Desktop so they can see stuff. Make sure she knows you have to QUIT a program, not just close the window. And also that there are always (usually always) preferences for programs hiding under the program's name in the menu by the apple icon. I have had Macs for a long time, I find they work better for older PC users most of the time.
posted by jessamyn at 3:57 PM on December 6, 2018 [5 favorites]
By all means have her use an external mouse, unless she already uses a trackpad on her PC.
posted by megatherium at 2:24 AM on December 7, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by megatherium at 2:24 AM on December 7, 2018 [2 favorites]
I'm your mom's age and if my kids did this to me I would not be happy at all. I don't want to learn how to use macs, I tried back in the dark ages and they totally got on my nerves. Why don't you just get her a chromebook, explain how cheap they are, and sell your mac?
posted by mareli at 5:47 AM on December 7, 2018
posted by mareli at 5:47 AM on December 7, 2018
Response by poster: Thanks everyone!! This was exactly the feedback I was looking for- I'm traveling to see her this morning and this helps a lot. Best of the web for a reason.
posted by andruwjones26 at 5:48 AM on December 7, 2018
posted by andruwjones26 at 5:48 AM on December 7, 2018
I just did this with my mom, too. The number-1-with-a-bullet feature for us is the built-in screen sharing. Omitting a bunch of detail because who cares, but 3rd party screen sharing always failed us (or opened her up to further spamming). I showed her how to request screen-sharing right from the Messages app and it Just Works.
(This is predicated on the idea that you want her to know about this feature. 😅)
posted by easement1 at 6:29 AM on December 7, 2018 [1 favorite]
(This is predicated on the idea that you want her to know about this feature. 😅)
posted by easement1 at 6:29 AM on December 7, 2018 [1 favorite]
Please don't install Windows. That's just kicking the can down the road and she'll have the same problems in the future as she's had in the past with viruses and malware.
Make a new account for her on the machine so she's starting out clean.
If she's an Office user, the most helpful thing woud be preinstalling Office. She can use her existing mouse, which might make the step across easier. Over time she should gravitate to the trackpad naturally the way most people do.
Pre-install Chrome but point out Safari. Safari's better implementation of password management and generation makes browsing a lot smoother. But even a Safari die-hard has to resort to Chrome sometimes.
Set-up her email accounts for her.
Pre-installing a good Solitaire is the equivalent of spraying catnip on a new cat-toy. It made my mum love her Mac, but I wish she'd written her life story as promised instead of playing solitaire.
Anyway, my mum loved Eric's Solitaire the cuurent version of which is in the Mac App Store for $15.
posted by w0mbat at 10:11 AM on December 7, 2018
Make a new account for her on the machine so she's starting out clean.
If she's an Office user, the most helpful thing woud be preinstalling Office. She can use her existing mouse, which might make the step across easier. Over time she should gravitate to the trackpad naturally the way most people do.
Pre-install Chrome but point out Safari. Safari's better implementation of password management and generation makes browsing a lot smoother. But even a Safari die-hard has to resort to Chrome sometimes.
Set-up her email accounts for her.
Pre-installing a good Solitaire is the equivalent of spraying catnip on a new cat-toy. It made my mum love her Mac, but I wish she'd written her life story as promised instead of playing solitaire.
Anyway, my mum loved Eric's Solitaire the cuurent version of which is in the Mac App Store for $15.
posted by w0mbat at 10:11 AM on December 7, 2018
I don't have any particular advice, other than be ready for your next visit after this one to consist of a giant list of things she wants you to show her how to do on the computer, but I will say I am with you in spirit. After several years of watching my parents use increasingly terrible Android devices (they get them for free or extremely low cost, which makes them better, obviously, tubedogg, can't you understand that?) I've purchased them iPhone XRs for Christmas. I leave next week to drive down to Tennessee from Minnesota to visit them.
And while I didn't want to walk in the door and say "Hi. How have you been? Here's your Christmas presents!" I'm thinking it might actually be more advantageous to do that so we can maximize their learning time before I have to leave.
Good luck and hopefully your mom likes her new Mac as much as mine eventually did! (She wasn't much younger than your mom is when she got it.)
posted by tubedogg at 3:35 PM on December 7, 2018
And while I didn't want to walk in the door and say "Hi. How have you been? Here's your Christmas presents!" I'm thinking it might actually be more advantageous to do that so we can maximize their learning time before I have to leave.
Good luck and hopefully your mom likes her new Mac as much as mine eventually did! (She wasn't much younger than your mom is when she got it.)
posted by tubedogg at 3:35 PM on December 7, 2018
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posted by dum spiro spero at 12:41 PM on December 6, 2018 [3 favorites]