Recommend a computer Tablet for a 80+ yr old

joepubli

Would be grateful for any recommendations for a Tablet for an 80+ year old lady who thinks she is a technophobe. Not sure whether to go for an ipad or Android

- she needs a largish screen but should be light so that she can use it for lomg periods from her chair
on her lap. She is confined to chair for much of the day.

What would she use it for?
1. To use "Line", whatapp and Skype to communicate with her son overseas- emails might be too much for her.
2. She likes crosswords and similar games
3. Read a paper - Telegraph
4. Watch films
5. Read books - on physical books she is finding the print too small

I was thinking that I could remove all the clutter and just leave her with apps that she will use.

Any thoughts/experiences appreciated.

craftygran

I got my DH a Tesco Hudl for Christmas and he loves it. Took about an hour to set up and get used to using it.

chesky

I'm 70 and my family bought me an Apple IPad in January. Having always used a PC or laptop, I was dead against it. But because I'd been having problems with my laptop I stuck with it and I use it all the time now. But it took me a darn sight longer than an hour - more like a month. And do make sure that she can call you and ask when something goes wrong, or she doesn't understand something. Oh, and be sure to buy her a stylus as it makes things easier.

bryanb

As above, but one with siri would allow her to solve most problems easily.

ripplyuk

bryanb wrote: »

As above, but one with siri would allow her to solve most problems easily.

Yes, Siri would be really handy for her. The ipad is very user friendly. For watching films a 10 inch tablet might be best.

joepubli

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have never used an Apple product - always Android. For those who use both - is Apple really easier to use? Don't all the Apple Apps have to be bought?

Seondly, is anyone aware of of a Crossword type program she can do with her fingers? I think she might struggle with a stylus,

Thanks.

chesky

......think she might struggle with a stylus......

No, no, at least get one for her so she can try it. I find it much easier.

alanobrien

I really don't think the learning curve is any different for apple or android they are both icon driven touch systems. I would look at a 10" size tablet which will be easier to use. i have both a 7" and 10.1" the former is great for travel the latter better for surfing at home. Take a look at the Nexus 10 which is one of the best 10" tablets around at the moment.

Idiophreak

If the screen size isn't a massive deal, the kindle fire could be a good start...it's really stripped down, easy to use and cheap - so she can see how she gets on without spending too much money...

iaps

joepubli wrote: »

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have never used an Apple product - always Android. For those who use both - is Apple really easier to use? Don't all the Apple Apps have to be bought?

Seondly, is anyone aware of of a Crossword type program she can do with her fingers? I think she might struggle with a stylus,

Thanks.

Yes - for me ipad is easier to use, more intuitive, more secure. The choice of free apps is really great. There are many free crossword apps too. I like word game "WordWarp" https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/free-word-warp/id291374609?mt=8
Scrabble is now £6.99, but I bought it at promotional, much lower price few years ago.

It is also possible to read eBooks in many formats - e-pub, kindle, etc, or even to borrow eBooks from public library.

Podcasts are very useful and the choice of free ones is diverse https://www.apple.com/uk/itunes/podcasts/

captainhindsight_2

Dont get an iPad.

It is not easy to just pick up and use. It may be easy to use once you have learned how to use it, learned all the gestures, navigated the complicated settings and menu and so on....

The android tablets are intuitive, any one can pick one up and just use it.

Any android with a 10inch screen or bigger should do the job, but either the nexus 7 or the nexus 10 are the best tablets on the market and cheap too (google don't make profit on the hardware they sell, so the specs are similar to tablets twice the price)