iOS device gift options?

[jian]

I'm a college student with no "permanent job" and my parents are still supporting my living expenses. (i know, sad and pathetic but im taking 6classes and 2 TA classes.) Now, i recently got 2 temporary jobs and made 1,000 budks, and my mom's 50th birthday is coming in a week, and I want to buy her something as a way to say happy birthday and thank her for all the help these years.

What I want for her is,
1) a device that's super user friendly, because my mom is really tech-behind and speaks no English.
2) a device that's useful for her, listening to music, watching TV shows and movies, FaceTime with me and her friends, and some apps that she might need, for example an app for the Chinese stock market.
3) a device that she's gonna be proud to show off to my aunts that I bought it for her for her birthday....

So I'm thinking either an iPod touch or an iPad 2, (or maybe a 3...).
I do afford an ipad and I know iPad is better than the iPod touch in almost every way, but it's too big for my mom to carry with her when she takes her after dinner walk and it's a little not budget friendly, I know I made a little money but I'm a film major and I'm shooting a short in the summer and that will cost me AT LEAST 500 -700.

iPod touch on the other hand, is really small and I don't really like it as much as the other apple products, but it's cheap and she can carry it with her wherever she goes.

So what's you guys' opinion on that?
iPod touch =200-300 bucks with engraving
iPad 2 =400 bucks with engraving
iPad 3 =500 bucks at least and no engraving

 

[charlieegan3]

"500 bucks at least and no engraving"

you can get the new iPad engraved free.

I would go with one of the iPads.

 

[jian]

"500 bucks at least and no engraving"

you can get the new iPad engraved free.

I would go with one of the iPads.

it take 1-2 week for Apple to ship the new iPad from factory, that's why I can't do engraving, I have to pick one up at Apple Store for next week.
but thanks for the reply!!

 

[charlieegan3]

okay sorry, yeah.

I still think iPad, (if you want to spend that money)

Go with the iPad 2?

 

[jian]

okay sorry, yeah.

I still think iPad, (if you want to spend that money)

Go with the iPad 2?

I don't care about the money if it's for my mom, haha.
but the difference between iPad 2 and the new iPad is only 100 USD.
With that extra 100 she will get the newest gear and retina display, but no engraving.
I don't know, it seems like 100 for the retina display but no engraving is not a very good deal to me. this is some hard dilemma...and I need to come up with a plan really soon...

Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

[cambookpro]

I don't care about the money if it's for my mom, haha.
but the difference between iPad 2 and the new iPad is only 100 USD.
With that extra 100 she will get the newest gear and retina display, but no engraving.
I don't know, it seems like 100 for the retina display but no engraving is not a very good deal to me. this is some hard dilemma...and I need to come up with a plan really soon...

Thanks for the suggestion though!

Retina display > engraving. I'd rather have a really nice card or something than engraving.

 

[takeshi74]

Sounds like you need to spend some time sorting out your priorities

a device that's useful for her, listening to music, watching TV shows and movies, FaceTime with me and her friends, and some apps that she might need, for example an app for the Chinese stock market.

Does she always have WiFi access?

I do afford an ipad and I know iPad is better than the iPod touch in almost every way, but it's too big for my mom to carry with her when she takes her after dinner walk and it's a little not budget friendly

Better is always subjective. You need to consider "better" in her context. Not your own.

iPod touch on the other hand, is really small and I don't really like it as much as the other apple products

Whether you like it or not is irrelevant. It's for your mom, right?

it take 1-2 week for Apple to ship the new iPad from factory, that's why I can't do engraving

Then why did you list engraving options in your OP?

Again, it sounds like you need to sit down and sort out your priorities based on what your mom needs/wants. Your posts are all over the place and it's no wonder you're having problems with decision making.

How's her vision? Would she benefit from a larger screen and retina display? Would portability really matter to her? Is she really going to use a more portable device while out and about with no data?

 

[jian]

Sounds like you need to spend some time sorting out your priorities


Does she always have WiFi access?


Better is always subjective. You need to consider "better" in her context. Not your own.


Whether you like it or not is irrelevant. It's for your mom, right?


Then why did you list engraving options in your OP?

Again, it sounds like you need to sit down and sort out your priorities based on what your mom needs/wants. Your posts are all over the place and it's no wonder you're having problems with decision making.

How's her vision? Would she benefit from a larger screen and retina display? Would portability really matter to her? Is she really going to use a more portable device while out and about with no data?

True. She does have wifi wherever she goes, but I'll have to teach her how to connect to wifi, again, she has no knowledge in modern technology whatsoever.
Her vision is OK, but has been wearing glasses since I was born..
She loves music, but has never really played with any of the iOS devices, thus will probably not download that much apps if at all.

 

[Arelunde]

Personally, as a college-age-kid parent, I think the iPad (either "new" or 2) would be MOST appreciated. Even those who are not very tech savvy enjoy using it for all sorts of reasons. Usually, they start with browsing and email ... but it doesn't take long to find those oh-so-interesting apps. We have one iPad2 and often there's a waiting list to use it, despite having two other computers in the house.

PS - I don't think the engraving is all that important. After all, it will likely be covered by a case of some sort.