Tablet Advice

Kim_13

Hi,

I'm looking for advice on a tablet for my cousin's partner. He currently has a netbook that a friend gave him and broadband, but he doesn't use it enough to justify the cost. Lately he hasn't used it at all, partly due to health. He's reluctant to get rid of the internet completely, so we came up with the tablet idea as it would be cheaper (he would only do a small amount of web browsing and email, no catch up TV or anything like that.)

I've suggested the Three Data Reward sim as that would give him 200MB of free data a month and 1p per MB if he goes over. Are there any other deals I've missed? I'm unsure on the coverage in his area as Three's checker is contradicting itself currently, so what would be the next best option if Three doesn't suit?

I'm also looking for any recommendations on the tablet itself. So far I've found a couple of Samsung possibilities, as the iPad mini only being available in 128GB makes that overkill. (He is in his 80's and doesn't want anything top of the range in case he doesn't get on with it.) Can anyone suggest anything else with cellular capabilities?

Also, given the uncertainty over networks, I would like to make sure he gets something that doesn't lock to the network of the first sim he uses. Do tablets lock in the same way as phones, and if so is there anywhere he could get one that doesn't?

Thank you

Bigphil1474

Kim - I assume he has a phone line if he currently has broadband? If so, he probably won't save much getting rid of the broadband, unless he loses his phone line as well. I'm with PlusNet and they are currently offering unlimited broadband for £18.99 a month for 18 months including line rental - line rental is normally around that mark anyway.
Can't comment on Sims as I don't use them. Tablets that have phone capabilities tend to be more expensive than Wi-Fi only. The 2 tablets I have, that are wi-fi only, are an old Nexus 2012 7", and a Sony Xperia Z 10" - both still work fine. The Sony is spot on, but was pricey when I bought it. Tesco used to do a Hudl which was a decent budget model - not sure if they still do.

ballyblack

Lenovo do a range of tablets which are excellent value but use wifi

Argos, amazon, currys will supply

DCFC79

Kim why are you mentioning sim cards ?

Would he use it when hes out ?

If not then surely getting a wifi router is cheaper and means he can use it to his hearts content.

Anyone in the family who has a tablet that he could try out ?

[Deleted User]

Why not buy a 4G wifi dongle and continue to use the netbook?

e.g. something like this? http://www.three.co.uk/Discover/Devices/Huawei/E5573bs-322_4G_Mobile_Wi-Fi?memory=0&colour=White

It would then work on whatever wifi devices were nearby. No need for a new tablet.

hawkeye9999

Does he have Data on his mobile phone that he could tether to?

ballyblack

would give him 200MB of free data a month and 1p per MB if he goes over

200 MB is useless if he is going to really use the internet

Kim_13

Thanks for all the replies.

He does have a landline yes, I'm not sure what he pays but from what I've been told there's a saving worth making. I suspect that he's paying well over the odds as no haggling or anything has been done since his minimum term ended several years ago. He has had his line with BT for years and called up to add internet when he was given the netbook. I will advise that he double checks what he's paying now vs the price minus the broadband. If it did turn out to be not a lot that would widen his choice of tablets if he still wanted to get one. I will also mention the dongle idea, though I suspect he may prefer to have less devices to manage.

He has mentioned finding the screen of the netbook a bit small and has had problems with worsening arthritis etc, so my cousin and I thought that a tablet might suit as he would be able to choose a screen size to suit his needs as well as the added portability meaning that he can use it from the comfort of his chair or bed or wherever (the battery life of the netbook is poor, sadly it's been left permanently plugged in in his office when in use though I did try to encourage him to use the battery occasionally.)

The sim card idea was purely so that he wouldn't have to pay anything if he didn't use the internet in a given month. He uses a basic mobile so no data to tether from unfortunately. He's also said that he doesn't want to sign up to another contract.

I've already suggested that he looks at some on display before making a decision though I'll ask if any family members have a tablet he could try out as that would be preferable.