Sounds like its already purchased...
But what is the intended use?
And what is the expected frequency of use?
I had a ryobi 18v cordless thats 15yrs old, just died this past December. Got it in part of a set. Biggest complaint was the battery, but Li-ion has changed it significantly. However, my use was 15-30 min every few months and moderate all-day use once every couple of years. My use for it is mostly demo or tree pruning.
For me and my use: replacement will likely be either another ryobi (because I have 3 batteries) or a corded one in the $50-60 range.
It really comes down to current and anticipated future needs. If you or Bob are planning any big projects, the heavy duty ones are priceless. However, if you're like me and don't plan on using it monthly, a value model will probably be sufficient.
He won't use it all that much- just when there are things in the yard or house to cut. I suspect it will be a low-used item but useful when it's needed.
Bob doesn't build things or do home repair in general, just routine maintenance and things around the house(s). We tend to accumulate houses, but that's another story.