It sounds like it will be a tough sell, but Mac refurbs aren't "used", and they've been through QC twice. They're frequently in better shape than just new ones. Mac refurbs are a good, solid buy, and if he's refusing to buy a Mac refurb because he's getting hung up on the word "refurb", he's making an unsound decision. Like to the point that you should just buy one for him, lie to him and say it's new.

Sean, I tried to explain it. Most units are "oh, I don't like it" and checked over with a fine tooth comb. I'm Thinking about doing just what you said. If he tasks me to buy for him over the net, I probably will. I doubt he would know the difference, as he's not a hard core computer user. But it looks like he wants instant gratifaction.

Ordering from a catalog isn't instant gratification. It's waiting for shipping.

And, as you know, Apple refurb's aren't really used so much as cheaper, totally checked out and, most importantly, warrantied . I've had excellent luck with them.

Doesn't want to order from catalog, just thumb through it and try and get the model he wants at Best Buy. (I'm not quite understanding it myself)

Oh, dad...

I know, the modern way is to look at it in the store, then buy it online. Pfft. Makes me wonder what I will do in 30 years that is so backwards.

I think you should print out the computer descriptions from the Internet and hand those to him.

I have long arms, but they don't reach from CA to FL. I suppose I could drop them in the mail or something. Jeez, that is old fashioned.

Well if he wants to look at something physically on a page, that's what you do. He'd need a catalog mailed to him anyway. It's not what we'd say was the most efficient but it is what he's comfortable doing. And if he's without a decent, available computer and Internet connection then looking online isn't something that sounds easy to him. Or efficient. I get that.

Yup. Now. To find time to print stuff out, and find a stamp.