Omlet cube and run

[Ain't Nobody Here]

No, not medication or a sweet treat . She's decided at the age of 88 that she'd really like a tablet (she was ahead of the game and had a computer when I was young so isn't a complete techno-numpty!)

 

Trouble is, will she be able to manage it? I'm happy to help her get one but would probably have to buy it off her if she couldn't get to grips with it.

 

So, what could I get that isn't all-singing, all-dancing that suits her but would be of use to me if I ended up with it?

 

Any ideas? I've never had a tablet so am a bit clueless.

[bluekarin]

Before I got my iPad as a pressie, I was very interested in the Kindle Fires. A lot cheaper and do lots of things the iPads do, as well as some more. It depends what she wants it for though. Quite a few reviews here of various tablets of varying price and ability.

[The Dogmother]

Why not look at one of the cheaper Android tablets ANH? They are really versatile and work almost as well as the more expensive brands.

[Luvachicken]

Sorry I don't know anything about tablets but just wanted to say well done to your Mum for being so cool.

My OH's Grandma who is 96 has only in the last 6 months or so stopped using her pc and mobile phone - so your Mum should have plenty of years use out of a tablet.

[patsylabrador]

I am totally in love with my Sony Android Tablet. Initially I wasn't sure but after some teething problems Sony have succeeded and I enjoy it so much. It doesn't have lots of office applications but it is fun which I wanted mine for. Fun screensavers, I can make files and watch things like live sports. Mine doesn't have 3g stuff (wallowing a bit now) but if WiFi is avsilable i can watch sports etc. Watched all the Jubilee and Olympics/Paralympics on it last year. I have downloaded Flixster onto it so can watch relevant films when I want ie The Hobbit.

Lots of mind working games available on playstore.

I don't hesitate to recommend it now.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'll have a look at those suggestions, thanks .

 

What I'm not sure about is how she'll connect to the internet. She only has wired broadband at the moment. Will she have to buy a wireless router too? I'm so used to all our gadgets working without thinking about it, I can't work out what she'll need!

[Geoid]

Will she have to buy a wireless router too?

Yes

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Thanks, Fred, hoped you'd come along .

 

Now I think about it, I've got my old one in the garage . Might be worth a shot!

[Geoid]

Does her current computer have ethernet/wireless ports? (assuming she has a computer, as she has broadband) If not, you will have to get a wireless/ethernet adapter for it.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Not sure, but it's not that old so it may do. I may come back for advice if I can't get it to work!

[chickencam]

Love love love my iPad but they are pricey. It so fast for Internet searches much faster than our 1 yr old laptop which has an i5 processor. It s also great for on demand tv, having said that we do have fibre optic broadband.

[The Dogmother]

Archos does good, reasonably priced Android tabs.

[WitchHazel]

I wwent through something similar for my Aunt, aged 74. She hadn't used a PC though, which made it much easier.

 

I'm an Android girl and have a top of the range Android tablet myself, but I wasn't sure whether it would be right for her. Her son has an Ipad. The Samsung tablet (not what I have) looked much better value, but I wasn't sure what to do for the best for her. After trying out some, we got her an Ipad on the basis that they are a little easier to use, and it was compatible with what her son had. (And I felt if it all went wrong, I was less likely to feel it was my fault if she bought an Ipad - as everyone knows that IPads and Seniors get on.)

 

We're a couple of months down the line now, and she's very happy. However, having gone through the learning experience with her, I'm surprised at how limited Ipads are compared to Android tablets. Lots of Ipad things are great, and they are on the whole easier to use, but I'm really surprised at how clumsy they are in other areas, and limited in apps to fix those things.

 

Examples (silly ones, I know) are:

* the keyboard. Oh my god, it's "Ooops, word censored!" on an Ipad. Why the heck didn't they put numbers on the first screen, especially as they insist that you have a number in your Applestore password! I probably wouldn't have realised just how awful it is, if I didn't have my own tablet. You can't just download a new one that suits you better like you can with (my) Android, which allows you to install new keyboard apps and use them as your default keyboard.

 

* Not all videos work on websites, because Apple doesn't have Flash. In theory, you should be able to view them using Safari browser, but this doesn't always work.

 

* You can't easily access a whole list of the apps you've got installed on your Ipad, whereas you can on (my) Android. This is helpful because I don't always remember which screen I put an app on.

 

* On (my) Android, I don't have to have all apps on a screen. They can be installed but not showing as an icon (I can access them through my APPLICATIONS button)

 

There were lots of other niggles like this, I can't remember them all.

 

There are a lot more apps for Ipad, but the range of productivity apps (calendar. internet browsers, email programs) is much narrower on an Ipad.

 

Some apps are fantastic on Ipad, and rubbish on Android. I have a great game called Rush Hour, which is superb on my brother's Ipad, and rubbish on my Android.

 

As it turned out, I'm the one who has been supporting my Aunt anyway, not her son, and I've learnt a lot more about the capabilities of both of them. if I was doing this again, for her anyway, I would have had the courage to choose Android ror her.

 

Doesn't mean that's right for your mum though.

[Bramble]

Just bought a tablet for my mum - she's a mere 79! I decided that probably one of the bigger ones would be better for her so I got her a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 - it was actually a "reconditioned" one from the ARgos Ebay site, but seems really good and came with a 12 month warranty. I've taken all the icons off it that she doesn't need and hidden them so really all she can see is Google and email - also got her a case for it, it seemed hard to hold somehow without one!

[The Dogmother]

A screen protecting film and a case are essential, whatever type of tablet you buy.

 

I have used both and love my Android (Samsung Galaxy Tab) above the ipad, as WitchHazel has said... because of it's versatility and ease of use.

[charly1979]

Im an Apple girl and have always found Android systems to be disappointing and on most occasions I want to throw them out the nearest window .

 

Anyway I have just purchased a Kindle Fire and so far I have found it to be very close to the IPad (im my eyes the IPad will always be the winner) but in comparison to price I would definitely consider it for your mum

[LolaLayla]

MIL was used to using a desktop computer but was finding it not so good for a variety of reasons - location, hard seating etc. We tried her with an ipad that OH had and an old small laptop. She much preferred the small laptop, finding it easier to see, to keep in position and to key in letters. Is there anyway you could borrow an iPad for her to try?

[bluekarin]

Not sure about borrowing, but you can try them out in Stormfront stores.

[Chicken shack]

My hubby and son bought me an IPad for my birthday and I am addicted! So easy to use and very accessible.

No booting up, instant.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Thanks for all your input . Now just need to see if mum remembers wanting one .

[LolaLayla]

Thanks for all your input . Now just need to see if mum remembers wanting one .

Probably be easier if she doesn't

Do any of the boys friends have one you could take round to let her try in situ? As I said it was getting positioning correct etc at home that was the main issue. My MIL also discovered that she prefers using a mouse and so she has the little laptop with the mouse on a tray with non slip material underneath which she can use when sitting on the settee.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Just what I'm thinking .

 

She's got other things on her mind now as she had a fall last night so we've been at the hospital since 5am. Hoping she'll be let home today (I can stay with her which should help swing it).

[LolaLayla]

Sorry to hear about her fall. Thank goodness she didn't break anything.

[Purplemaniacs]

Sorry to hear about your Mum's fall, that is the last thing she needs. Hope they let her home soon.

 

I have an android tablet, I wanted an ipad but OH is anti ipad so he bought me an android for Christmas, I am pleased with it not sure what it is I will have a look.

 

Chrissie

[The Dogmother]

I hope she has a speedy recovery ANH.