Can Surface Pro be Simplified like an iPad for Novice User
Hello,
This is related to another question I just posted about iPads.
Background info on iPad Question:
I want to be able to email and video chat with my elderly mother who lives out of state and has virtually no computer knowledge. Over the past few years we made separate attempts to get her set up with a Windows laptop and a Mac laptop. Both failed because the system was too complicated. I'm convinced an iPad would be the right solution (something difficult for a Windows guy to say).
I would clean up the iPad so only her settings, browser, email, and Facebook messenger icons appear on her screen. All other icons can be grouped in a folder named "Do Not Open" and placed on another screen out of sight. This would greatly ease the learning curve for her to be able to use the set-up on her own.
The challenge is that she would need a larger monitor, ethernet internet (NOT wifi) and external keyboard. As far as I know, there is no iPad docking station that provides this functionality.
SurfacePro Questions:
There is a Surface Pro docking station that would fit the bill perfectly:
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-Docking-Station/dp/B00N3J8NRW
I am a Windows 7 user who finds Windows 8 confusing. My mother would be overwhelmed with the typical Windows interface. Plus, any solution that required her to run regular system updates and security scans is problematic.
I am wondering if a Surface Pro with Windows 10 can be "dummied down" or locked down in a way to mimic the simplicity of an iPad? Specifically,
1. Can the user interface be simplified so that all my mother sees on the screens are icons for email, video chatting, and internet surfing?
2. Are there specific services that can be disabled to make the Surface Pro less vulnerable to security issues and/or problems?
3. I have no idea what apps come bundled with the Surface Pro, but I would want to uninstall everything that does not support 1) turning the system on and off, opening IE or Chrome to surf the net, opening her email client (likely gmail), or answering a Skype or similar call for a video chat. How easy is this to do?
4. How does Windows Updates work on a Surface Pro? Is it like all Windows PCs where there are regular updates? Can it be configured so only essential updates are installed automatically and my mother never sees messages about updates that need to be reviewed?
5. One possibility of getting around the higher maintenance of a Windows tablet is can it be set up so I can log in remotely every month or so for me to do system maintenance? If I went this route, I would buy the tablet and configure it at my home then ship to her. Another idea is that I make me the administrator and make her an account as a user with limited ability to install/change the system. Is this possible in Windows 10?
Any other tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Given that we would be connecting this to an external 19" monitor and our desired uses, please recommend a model that will perform well for our functions and not be overkill.
Thanks!
Update: I know very little about MS Tablets. Perhaps the Surface 3 and not the Pro line would be better?
This is related to another question I just posted about iPads.
Background info on iPad Question:
I want to be able to email and video chat with my elderly mother who lives out of state and has virtually no computer knowledge. Over the past few years we made separate attempts to get her set up with a Windows laptop and a Mac laptop. Both failed because the system was too complicated. I'm convinced an iPad would be the right solution (something difficult for a Windows guy to say).
I would clean up the iPad so only her settings, browser, email, and Facebook messenger icons appear on her screen. All other icons can be grouped in a folder named "Do Not Open" and placed on another screen out of sight. This would greatly ease the learning curve for her to be able to use the set-up on her own.
The challenge is that she would need a larger monitor, ethernet internet (NOT wifi) and external keyboard. As far as I know, there is no iPad docking station that provides this functionality.
SurfacePro Questions:
There is a Surface Pro docking station that would fit the bill perfectly:
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-Docking-Station/dp/B00N3J8NRW
I am a Windows 7 user who finds Windows 8 confusing. My mother would be overwhelmed with the typical Windows interface. Plus, any solution that required her to run regular system updates and security scans is problematic.
I am wondering if a Surface Pro with Windows 10 can be "dummied down" or locked down in a way to mimic the simplicity of an iPad? Specifically,
1. Can the user interface be simplified so that all my mother sees on the screens are icons for email, video chatting, and internet surfing?
2. Are there specific services that can be disabled to make the Surface Pro less vulnerable to security issues and/or problems?
3. I have no idea what apps come bundled with the Surface Pro, but I would want to uninstall everything that does not support 1) turning the system on and off, opening IE or Chrome to surf the net, opening her email client (likely gmail), or answering a Skype or similar call for a video chat. How easy is this to do?
4. How does Windows Updates work on a Surface Pro? Is it like all Windows PCs where there are regular updates? Can it be configured so only essential updates are installed automatically and my mother never sees messages about updates that need to be reviewed?
5. One possibility of getting around the higher maintenance of a Windows tablet is can it be set up so I can log in remotely every month or so for me to do system maintenance? If I went this route, I would buy the tablet and configure it at my home then ship to her. Another idea is that I make me the administrator and make her an account as a user with limited ability to install/change the system. Is this possible in Windows 10?
Any other tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Given that we would be connecting this to an external 19" monitor and our desired uses, please recommend a model that will perform well for our functions and not be overkill.
Thanks!
Update: I know very little about MS Tablets. Perhaps the Surface 3 and not the Pro line would be better?
ASKER
Hi William,
Thanks for helping me with this and all the ideas. After posting this question I did some quick research into Microsoft tablets. I am now thinking that a Surface 3, not Surface Pro, may be the best Microsoft solution. The slower CPU is not an issue and the price point is much better given that I need to buy her a monitor ($150 - $200), networking gear (another $100-$150), docking station ($50 - $150) and miscelaneous cables/etc ($50).
See my comments below your thoughts:
"If she has that much trouble with an iPad then I would stay far away from a Surface Pro. For one, Win8/10 with all it's side swiping will result in her triggering all kinds of stuff and even an experienced pro like me finds it way annoying. If you want simplicity, an iPad is about as good as it gets."
- My mom has never used an iPad before. She has had problems with a regular PC or Mac. Your comment on the swiping, however, is very enlightening. Is there any way to "turn off" swiping in a Surface 3? The tablet would be in a docking station and my mom would rather point and click with a mouse.
Also, Surface Pros do not have an Ethernet port so you'd still need a dongle of some kind to connect. There is a Surface Book coming out soon and it's more like a standard laptop, but it's still Win8/10 and you still have to work around Windows.
- I think a docking station would resolve the Ethernet port need, would it not? The key is can a Surface 3 docking station reliably handle external monitor, internet, keyboard and mouse as well as power the device and not overheat!
Why is wifi not an option? If you can do wired Ethernet then just plug that into a $50 wifi router from Wal-Mart and untether the thing.
- Agree 1,000%! In fact I have two brand new ones in a box at home. My mother is a cancer survivor and has paranoia about wifi radiation. I have tried to reason with her, but if I push too hard for wifi she will just not use it. In fact, I have a few other questions exploring how to use Powerline adapters to get her an RJ45 in her bedroom. Wifi would greatly simplify all. I think Bluetooth keyboard, however, would be fine.
As far as the larger monitor, Apple did just release an iPad Pro with a 12.9" screen, which is huge for a tablet. It's over 3" larger than a regular iPad.
- This could work, but I will be showing my mom some documents and photos and with her eyesight she would be much better off with a 19" monitor.
If the big screen thing is really required, you may look into getting one of those "all in one" PC's with a larger monitor, like up to even 24" or 27" and then customize it. May be even better to find one you can downgrade to Windows 7 or turn off all the touchscreen stuff so she doesn't accidentally trip anything.
- Never thought of this. Do you have any suggestions? I imagine one with a 21" monitor may cost a fortune, but could be worth looking into. I would like to keep the total cost of this with all accessories around $1,000 - $1,500 tops.
Another far-out option you may consider is getting her an Xbox One and installing Skype on it. There is an app for it and she could sit in her living room in front of the TV and use it.
- Very CLEVER idea. One issue is they only have one working TV, and it is an old CRT set I gave her as a gift 10+ years ago. Upgrading her TV is another item on my list. Would a Smart TV give us the ability to video chat? Can you use a keyboard with a SMART TV?
Thanks for helping me with this and all the ideas. After posting this question I did some quick research into Microsoft tablets. I am now thinking that a Surface 3, not Surface Pro, may be the best Microsoft solution. The slower CPU is not an issue and the price point is much better given that I need to buy her a monitor ($150 - $200), networking gear (another $100-$150), docking station ($50 - $150) and miscelaneous cables/etc ($50).
See my comments below your thoughts:
"If she has that much trouble with an iPad then I would stay far away from a Surface Pro. For one, Win8/10 with all it's side swiping will result in her triggering all kinds of stuff and even an experienced pro like me finds it way annoying. If you want simplicity, an iPad is about as good as it gets."
- My mom has never used an iPad before. She has had problems with a regular PC or Mac. Your comment on the swiping, however, is very enlightening. Is there any way to "turn off" swiping in a Surface 3? The tablet would be in a docking station and my mom would rather point and click with a mouse.
Also, Surface Pros do not have an Ethernet port so you'd still need a dongle of some kind to connect. There is a Surface Book coming out soon and it's more like a standard laptop, but it's still Win8/10 and you still have to work around Windows.
- I think a docking station would resolve the Ethernet port need, would it not? The key is can a Surface 3 docking station reliably handle external monitor, internet, keyboard and mouse as well as power the device and not overheat!
Why is wifi not an option? If you can do wired Ethernet then just plug that into a $50 wifi router from Wal-Mart and untether the thing.
- Agree 1,000%! In fact I have two brand new ones in a box at home. My mother is a cancer survivor and has paranoia about wifi radiation. I have tried to reason with her, but if I push too hard for wifi she will just not use it. In fact, I have a few other questions exploring how to use Powerline adapters to get her an RJ45 in her bedroom. Wifi would greatly simplify all. I think Bluetooth keyboard, however, would be fine.
As far as the larger monitor, Apple did just release an iPad Pro with a 12.9" screen, which is huge for a tablet. It's over 3" larger than a regular iPad.
- This could work, but I will be showing my mom some documents and photos and with her eyesight she would be much better off with a 19" monitor.
If the big screen thing is really required, you may look into getting one of those "all in one" PC's with a larger monitor, like up to even 24" or 27" and then customize it. May be even better to find one you can downgrade to Windows 7 or turn off all the touchscreen stuff so she doesn't accidentally trip anything.
- Never thought of this. Do you have any suggestions? I imagine one with a 21" monitor may cost a fortune, but could be worth looking into. I would like to keep the total cost of this with all accessories around $1,000 - $1,500 tops.
Another far-out option you may consider is getting her an Xbox One and installing Skype on it. There is an app for it and she could sit in her living room in front of the TV and use it.
- Very CLEVER idea. One issue is they only have one working TV, and it is an old CRT set I gave her as a gift 10+ years ago. Upgrading her TV is another item on my list. Would a Smart TV give us the ability to video chat? Can you use a keyboard with a SMART TV?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
William
I had no idea the All in One PCs were this economical. She also needs a new TV and I was shopping for SMART TVs this afternoon. I think I like the idea of the All in One PC better. Especially, one running Windows 7 so that I can customize and simplify her user interface. I have a few wrap-up questions if you don't mind:
1. Do you know how long Windows 7 will be supported with updates? As long as I will get a few years out of this, that is fine.
2. If I want to be able to remotely dial into the PC to do maintenance, what version of Windows 7 does the All in One need to be running? What s/w would I use to do that?
I had no idea the All in One PCs were this economical. She also needs a new TV and I was shopping for SMART TVs this afternoon. I think I like the idea of the All in One PC better. Especially, one running Windows 7 so that I can customize and simplify her user interface. I have a few wrap-up questions if you don't mind:
1. Do you know how long Windows 7 will be supported with updates? As long as I will get a few years out of this, that is fine.
2. If I want to be able to remotely dial into the PC to do maintenance, what version of Windows 7 does the All in One need to be running? What s/w would I use to do that?
Hey sorry for taking so long to reply - just got back from a weeklong vacation and was out of the country.
1. Windows 7 will be supported for several more years. I wouldn't worry about that.
2. With Win7 if you use an outside software like Dameware or LogMeIn, it doesn't really matter what version you have.
1. Windows 7 will be supported for several more years. I wouldn't worry about that.
2. With Win7 if you use an outside software like Dameware or LogMeIn, it doesn't really matter what version you have.
Also, Surface Pros do not have an Ethernet port so you'd still need a dongle of some kind to connect. There is a Surface Book coming out soon and it's more like a standard laptop, but it's still Win8/10 and you still have to work around Windows.
Why is wifi not an option? If you can do wired ethernet then just plug that into a $50 wifi router from Wal-Mart and untether the thing.
As far as the larger monitor, Apple did just release an iPad Pro with a 12.9" screen, which is huge for a tablet. It's over 3" larger than a regular iPad.
If the big screen thing is really required, you may look into getting one of those "all in one" PC's with a larger monitor, like up to even 24" or 27" and then customize it. May be even better to find one you can downgrade to Windows 7 or turn off all the touchscreen stuff so she doesn't accidentally trip anything.
Another far-out option you may consider is getting her an Xbox One and installing Skype on it. There is an app for it and she could sit in her living room in front of the TV and use it.