Best tablet for pensioners

[AaronM5670]

I'm looking for a tablet for my grandparents (in their late 80s). As they have not used the Internet before, they need a gentle introduction to do the basics (online banking, shopping, email etc.) and, as I'm not sure if it will be used regularly, something not too expensive.

I've been considering the original Nexus 7, iPad 2, Galaxy Tabetc. obviously doesn't have to be a highly-specced tablet and will most likely be used from eBay/Gumtree.

 

[MRU]

An iPad 3/4 or Air. Maybe go for a refurb Air.

 

[eclipse01]

An iPad 3/4 or Air. Maybe go for a refurb Air.

I 2nd this

 

[ozaz]

If money was not an issue, I would probably go with an iPad.

However, since you want to limit spending, I would look into the Tesco Hudl 2 and Amazon Kindle Fire. I haven't used either, but I imagine they'd both be decent choices for this use case. If you go with either of these, I'd be interested to know how you get on.

I don't think I'd go with a Galaxy tablet. The touchwiz UI would be confusing for beginners, I feel.

 

[AaronM5670]

I'll keep tabs on the Apple Refurb store with RefurbMe; hopefully something will come up - an iPad 4 or above (purely for the convenience of it having a Lightning port) will be fine I should imagine, in the basic 16GB WiFi only configuration.

 

[sjinsjca]

For 80-somethings and the tech-impaired in general, I'd go straight to Chromebook. They're as bulletproof as a computer can get and are virtually impossible to screw up. And they're cheap as dirt-- cheaper than most tablets, in fact. The Acer c720 seems like a particularly well-reviewed inexpensive unit. Amazon has 'em.

 

[Melonville]

I'm looking for a tablet for my grandparents (in their late 80s). As they have not used the Internet before, they need a gentle introduction to do the basics (online banking, shopping, email etc.) and, as I'm not sure if it will be used regularly, something not too expensive.

I've been considering the original Nexus 7, iPad 2, Galaxy Tabetc. obviously doesn't have to be a highly-specced tablet and will most likely be used from eBay/Gumtree.

Don't want to burst your bubble but good luck, i have parents in their early to mid 70's and they have adapted to a iPad air as their only device now for email, netbank, browsing, imessage/facetime,instagram, for about 18 months now, but struggle with simple things like app store or even deleting a app. And settings forget it.
I have inlaws in their mid to late 80's and wouldn't try, they struggle with a basic no's only mobile phone.

If you live nearby and are prepared to help 24/7 go for it.

----------

For 80-somethings and the tech-impaired in general, I'd go straight to Chromebook. They're as bulletproof as a computer can get and are virtually impossible to screw up. And they're cheap as dirt-- cheaper than most tablets, in fact. The Acer c720 seems like a particularly well-reviewed inexpensive unit. Amazon has 'em.

That would be a nightmare

 

[Dr McKay]

I gave my tech illiterate grandparents an iPad for Christmas a few years ago and they took to it like a duck to water.

I'd definitely go for an iPad, because of iOSs locked down nature, its basically impossible to accidentally screw it up.

 

[AaronM5670]

At least an iOS device will keep its resale value better than most Android tablets I suppose. I only live a mile or so down the road so trying to help them wouldn't be too difficult; I suppose I could show them some things with AirPlay on their TV as well.

It's worth a shot as they haven't much mobility and simple tasks such as shopping, banking and posting letters are pretty much a distant memory, at least it will maintain some value if they don't take to it whatsoever.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

You can't go wrong with an iPad it's hard to mess up. There's not endless complicated settings and widgets to confuse people young or old.

 

[Oletros]

That would be a nightmare

Why?

 

[maflynn]

I'd opt for an iPad 3 or 4 as mentioned. iOS is simple and easy to use, the display is larger. I think that's the best bet imo.

 

[Oletros]

I'd opt for an iPad 3 or 4 as mentioned. iOS is simple and easy to use, the display is larger. I think that's the best bet imo.

Yap, for old people is better the iPad than the iPad Mini

 

[Zxxv]

Best tablet for pensioners

viagra mate. I know it was developed for those suffering erectile disfunction but I hear pensioners benefit too. Good luck, no need to report back, I can do without the images

 

[The Game 161]

Ipad are always the dependable option. They are pretty simple to get on with

 

[mattopotamus]

Why?

b.c that is a nightmare for people who use computers on a daily basis. Everything is cloud based. I would have to really explain how to use a chromebook to a basic user.

 

[sracer]

At least an iOS device will keep its resale value better than most Android tablets I suppose. I only live a mile or so down the road so trying to help them wouldn't be too difficult; I suppose I could show them some things with AirPlay on their TV as well.

It's worth a shot as they haven't much mobility and simple tasks such as shopping, banking and posting letters are pretty much a distant memory, at least it will maintain some value if they don't take to it whatsoever.

As others have said, the iPad.

I had given my elderly parents an iPad 2 for Christmas a few years ago. They are technophobes and never really were comfortable with anything more flexible than the old MSN/Web TV. But with the iPad, they've been more adventurous.

 

[AaronM5670]

I've had a bit of a look and it seems that used iPad Airs go for about the same as a refurb so I will wait

 

[JH-]

I gave my grandparents a kindle fire. The mayday button is the single greatest thing for them. The immediate one on one support has been instrumental in them getting comfortable using it. My vote is kindle fire.

 

[ItHurtsWhenIP]

We got my Grandma a Verizon Ellipsis 7" for Christmas...(seems a lot like my old Samsung Tab 2 7") I set it up with 5 or 6 BIG icons (using DesktopVisualizer 4x4 widgets with grid set to 12x12 in Nova Launcher)..to get to Facebook, Gmail and a couple websites she has interest in. I think I was trying to emulate an "old person" mode I saw on a Samsung phone.

She loves it. She was resistant to smartphones, but loves her new tablet that has 4G and, most importantly, is NOT a phone. (she will never give up her indestructable G'zone)

 

[ecrispy]

IMO there is no good solution to this problem, the most important thing is patience and teaching them slowly one on one.

Tablets aren't really that much easier due to the learning curve of touch. To a tech illiterate user, things like swiping, touch to enable hidden controls, long press vs short, are not obvious at all. Neither is the effect of accidents touches.

I agree that iPad and iOS are easier due to being less complex and having less options to screw up.

However my humble opinion which is not going to be popular is -

For elder parents a good option is to give them an older business class Windows laptop (Thinkpad, Dell Precision) running Windows 7 with a totally locked down account, a modern browser like Firefox/Chrome, and the apps/local media they need.

It will be reliable, doesn't need maintenance, a mouse is easier to teach, and they don't need to install apps.

If they can understand how to use a tablet, that's fine too.

 

[AaronM5670]

There is currently a 32GB Air WiFi refurbished on the Apple Store online for £309. Do you think I should wait to save £40 and get a 16GB bearing in mind they will only have basic apps and music?

 

[maflynn]

Get the refurb, its only £40, if the price difference was greater then I'd say wait.

 

[bubulol]

Nokia Launcher on Android looks less complex for non experienced users
I would probably go for next Nokia Android tablet, N1 but it will be available for asian market at first

 

[m98custom1212]

Honestly, I would go Chromebooks every they want to do is online anyways.

Look up recipes, type something out, banking, pay bills etc all online.


Simple, cheap and hard to mess up. I'm they have remote client you could login and help them from your computer.