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Is MSN TV2 a cheap easy granny internet option?

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  • Is MSN TV2 a cheap easy granny internet option?

    My siblings and myself are thinking about getting my mother who has never used a computer in her entire life an easy way to get on the internet and receive e-mail from all of us for a Mothers day gift. Does anyone consider MSN TV2 to be a good idea? http://www.engadget.com/2004/09/27/gear-eye-msn-tv-2/

    I don't really like the idea of having to subscribe to MSN considering she would have to have both the local cable ISP service in conjunction with MSN since she lives in a very small town and I'm guessing MSN does not have service there. Also MSN TV2 does not have a harddrive so opening files that require harddrive/memory space would be impossible. Does anyone here know of a better option short of buying a PC?

  • #2
    Re: Is MSN TV2 a cheap easy granny internet option?

    I would think that getting her a nice basic computer would be the same and much more functional. Plus, most schools have night classes for people just like your mom to learn the basics of running a PC. You might even want to consider a laptop so she doesn't have to have a desktop taking up so much space. Either way, internet TV does nothing for me and looks ot be very limiting and just as daunting as a PC for hte first time user. And even if she was in the city, you still need your own internet service + MSN service. That would make me say no right there. Get her that "Windows for dummies" disk/book with it too. She'll be able to get online and do stuff quicker than you think. Hell, I talked my mom through a windows install about 3 months ago.
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    • #3
      Re: Is MSN TV2 a cheap easy granny internet option?

      Cheap laptop was what crossed my mind also since she wound,'t really need to get a desk for it, but the sibling in charge of gifts (My Sister) has her mind set on this MSN TV2 thing and she's probably right considering that box can be purchased for around a $100 and then we can chip in and buy some free internet service for her.
      Computer lessons are out of the question, the closest big town is almost 500 miles away from her with very little in between plus it wouldn't even matter if they had classes next door to her because she wouldn't attend anyway.
      I like the Windows for dummies idea you have but that would probably never get opened either, maybe MSN for dummies would be better if we get the dumb box.
      Could there be a good cell phone ect or some other electrical device like that that could be used for e-mailing? She doesnt even have a cell phone yet, but then again that would get just as spendy as a laptop and the one cell phone I've used with an internet connection (PalmTreo 650 smartphone) really was a poor internet option and was more complex than using Windows. I wish there were other options.......

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      • #4
        Re: Is MSN TV2 a cheap easy granny internet option?

        To me, a cheap laptop would be the only option since it could use inexpensive dialup access and no pay MSN account would be needed. That internet box would probably and almost guaranteedly be harder to use than Windows XP and she' probably never turn it on after it frustrated her to no end. There is no ability to save anything, and if you got her cheap high speed internet, she could just leave the PC on 24/4 and you guys couldeasily send it photos and so forth without her needing to do much more than click "open" or click on the emails themselves to see them. Your sister is not looking at it properly if she things the internet box is gonna be easy to use. She'll have to first learn how to hook it up to the TV, and then she'll need to set it up, and then........

        First choice: cheap P4 (celeron?) PC
        Second choice: cheap laptop (easiest for someone with 0 PC experience to setup/turn on and use IMO)

        very last choice: Internet appliance. Way too many variables to get it setup properly. I strongly advise against it.

        Money is best spent on a cheap laptop, and even get her a Dell so she can call them for support.
        GIgabyte GA-990FXA-UD3
        AMD FX8120 @ 4GHz
        Patriot 1866MHz EL series 2X4GB DDR3
        Powercolour HD 6970 2GB w/XFX 8800GT 512MB Hybrid PhysX
        Creative X-FI titanium HD w/Technics class A 300W amp and tower speakers
        PC P&C 500W PSU
        2TB Seagate
        Coolermaster 690II w/Corsair H100 tucked under the hood

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