My 82 year old mother finally decided she now wants a computer to email whatever friends she has left, use Google search and Skype to my sister across the country. She can only spend approx. $300.00.
I don’t know if a laptop would get her into trouble with security, viruses etc. And as much as I love her, I want to cut down of constantly receiving multiple daily phone calls etc., for I am still a little more than a novice at computing; I myself being a disabled veteran. Still have problems using my Asus G60JX desktop replacement sometimes.
Would a used iPad 2 be safer for her? She is afraid of not being able to use the virtual keyboard; she mentioned being able to use a physical typewriter keyboard better?
I am weary of buying off of eBay for a used iPad being afraid of getting burned & not being able to recover her money if it would happen. I noticed that Best Buy are listing a 15.6″ Asus & Lenovo ‘Windows 8′ for $329.00. [7 or 8?]
Any help or advise you could give me for my mother would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You, Ira Cohen
System: Windows
Tagged: best deal, buying tips, ebay, hardware tips, ipad, used hardware
18 Answers - Write an Answer
Bruce Epper
November 6, 2012If Skype is not a requirement and you can use Google+ Hangouts instead, you should look into a Chromebook (about $250).
I have read All negative reviews for the chromebook??
November 26, 2012Rajaa Chowdhury
November 6, 2012I would highly recommend a tablet rather than other devices as a tablets touch environment is easier to pick up and more user friendly. Besides they weigh les and a bit more portable, without any wires dangling for basic use. She can also use the camera in it to videochat, which will give her that emotional support at her age, where she would be able to see and hear her dear and dear ones. Also usually a tablets display has higher clarity than the other devices like a PC, laptop. Smartphones are very similar to the tablets but lack in the display size, which is important at a older age, for more clarity. Now, which tablet to decide, would depend on budget and other considerations, but you can checkout the iPAD Mini or the new Google Nexus 7 with 3G, besides tons of others available.
I agree with you Rajaa. You are absolutely right!
November 6, 2012I agree with what Rajaa said, but even something as small and simple as an iPod Touch 4g or 5g would work for these 3 things and would be even less costly. See if you can find a used one!
November 7, 2012Scratch galore A Scratcher
November 6, 2012I would show her the Windows PC Selector at:http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/pc-selector?skipintro=true&ocid=GA8_O_WOL_Dis_DS_PCSel_Null.
Lisa Santika Onggrid
November 6, 2012It’s not a high requirement. How about an used PC or netbook loaded with Linux Puppy? It’s fast and nimble.
Naveen Kumar
November 6, 2012i would recommend not to buy a laptop since your mom is 82 years old she could not carry it around.Give her something that is user friendly and portable go for goggle nexus tab or kindle fire HD which are less priced else if you can get the ipad mini it feels lite and great to use
could she email & browse the internet with the Kinle Fire?
November 26, 2012Boni Oloff
November 6, 2012Yeah, just buy a laptop. Since there are many choice aroud that ptice.
Emily Anderson
November 6, 2012I think your best solution is HTC One X. It fits your budget and enables all the apps you mentioned. A couple of my friends have it and they seem very happy with it
ha14
November 6, 2012if she will not use internet browser then Microsoft Security Essentials will be enough.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/security-essentials-download
for tablet she will need 3G since wifi will not be good, so perhaps a small laptop do the trick. But Tablet appears more stable than Windows thus she will not Face BSOD….
josemon maliakal
November 6, 2012galaxy note
Gravity Dead
November 6, 2012yeah I would suggest a tablet myself as laptops/PC are not that portable and also hard to understand for the elderly people
and they would love touch interface, I think, rather than keyboard
may be i-Pad mini or nexus
Indronil Mondal
November 6, 2012i dont think a tablet is a good choice though it has a large screen but for her it will be hard to use . she wont be able to type properly
go for a samsung netbook
http://www.samsung.com/in/consumer/pc-peripherals-printer/notebook/netbook/NP-N100S-E01IN-features
this is best for her i think
dont worry about security if you use windows then ms security essential is good choice if u use linux then just no worry
November 6, 2012Jim Chambers
November 7, 2012Does she live in her own home or a retirement home. Many retirement homes have a computer room for their residents?
Kannon Y
November 8, 2012Hello Ira, pretty much any cell or iPad model will do everything you’ve specified.
Matt Smith did an interesting round-up of some good cell phones for the elderly.
However, I don’t know if I’d recommend any of the devices in that lineup, although they are definitely worth looking at for ideas.
Of these, I would actually agree with you, that a refurbished iPad 2 is probably one of the top options. Apple sells a reburb through its store for $319. It also introduced the 7-inch iPad Mini for $330, which may fulfill your needs better than a full sized iPad, although it is $30 above the target price.
In case she’s more comfortable with physical keys, you can actually get her a keyboard as an accessory, although I’m unfamiliar with the Bluetooth pairing option, and that’s probably too complex an option for your GM.
In case you’d like to examine some added insurance for eBay purchased electronics, I highly suggest checking out Squaretrade’s website.
On the Android operating system, there’s actually an App that makes phones into dead simple to use devices.
of course, they are sold out
November 26, 2012eBay is still selling refurbished iPad 2s for $400 (32GB model).
Also, DailySteals.com just announced a similar deal – the iPad 2, 16GB model, for $299.
Personally, I think the Nexus 7 or Nexus 10 offers far better value, less DRM, and overall better performance, but if you like the elegance of the iOS UI, then you are of course better served by Apple’s products (the N10 is sold out…).
November 27, 2012Drew Butler
November 8, 2012kindle fire HD 7″. $199 and then you could pick her up a keyboard/case combo for cheap on amazon. just my two sense..
Steve Caunce
November 11, 2012A basic Android 10″ tablet. Typing is not necessary, she can send voice files instead of email with Note Everything. You can even find an eReader for them. Stay off of EBay for used tablets, you are right, a lot are broken or stolen, and you don’t have to get top of the line, Mom doesn’t have to impress her friends at school.
Tony Gonzaga
November 12, 2012I suggest you buy her a tablet with a 10″ screen.
susendeep dutta
November 14, 2012A tablet would be better than a laptop for a old age person as it’s easy to use and carry and doesn’t consumes more resources than a laptop.I suggest you to get a 9.7 inched iPad as it would be good device with many tablet optimized apps having good looks and easy to use too.iOS is recognized for their ease of use so it’s recommended.
For video calling too,a tablet is well suited for better portability.
If you extend the budget,you can get iPad3 refurb -
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC705/refurbished-ipad-with-wi-fi-16gb-black-3rd-generation
Regarding physical keyboard,you can purchase a wireless cum bluetooth keyboard found in many stores.
Rima Abraham
November 16, 2012a tablet , my mom who is 50 asked for one and she liked it a lot , it was also easier for her than a pc.