Tablet or laptop for elderly parent? Update post 48 :).

[SC Minnie]

Thanks everyone! My family has Apple devices (iPad mini, iPhones x 3) but Windows computers. My sister's family are all on Androids because of cost. My sister's family lives with my mom to provide for her everyday care. I would go with a larger iPad but I think the learning curve might be too much for my sister who will have to help my mom.

So can anyone suggest an Android tablet? Cost is important and I'd like to keep it under $300 if possible.

Look at the Surface. You can get a detachable keyboard if she doesn't like the touch screen.

 

[Sandy321]

I completely disagree. Talk about overkill! You'd be buying way too much computer and spending too much money for something which would be used just for Internet browsing.

OP, I'd go for a small, reasonably priced laptop over a tablet. It would be much easier for typing. No drinks near the keyboard would solve the spilling problem. If you do go for a tablet, you can get a keyboard to go with it.

I am a little surprised so many posters here think 60-70 years olds can't use computers!

Very good point! The OP is getting great advice from posters with their experience, I was coming from my mil, who is using her iPad for everything, even some banking, and she has gotten frustrated. And her dd moved in with her airbook and decided that would've maybe been a better choice (her dd and dh and I have iPhones, and he set up her iPad to get iMessages - she woke up to 50 messages confused at the dinging - mind you we included her because her dd was at the ER needing stitches, MIL just couldn't figure out where the dinging was coming from! There were a bit of silliness with that, and she was glad we included her, she just couldn't believe she couldn't figure it out, which may be why she wants a laptop?

However, I didn't mention my mother had a laptop, did little but surf on it, and got jealous that a few of us kids/grandkids got iPads, so she demanded an iPad - and she uses it for games and surfing, Facebook etc - - and she loves it! My dad hates that she is always on "that thing" Esp when they travel, because he always has to help her get online,

so as the OP is discovering, it all depends on what they need, how they will use it and how people around them have technology!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It just depends on the person's desire to embrace technology.

My dad programmed computers in the early 60s and has a PhD in economics. He won't go near an IPad and constantly has computer problems. And the calls we get about the DVR are comical.

Some people are capable, but make little effort or have no desire to keep up with technology.

I have trouble with the idea that personal computers are new technology, considering the fact that I got my first PC (an IBM with a floppy drive) in 1983! That was THIRTY ONE years ago! Believe me, using a new Windows or Apple computer today is a lot easier than dealing with DOS. PCs have been around for half of a 60 year old's lifetime. How could they avoid using one?

 

[MomToOne]

Thanks everyone! My family has Apple devices (iPad mini, iPhones x 3) but Windows computers. My sister's family are all on Androids because of cost. My sister's family lives with my mom to provide for her everyday care. I would go with a larger iPad but I think the learning curve might be too much for my sister who will have to help my mom.

So can anyone suggest an Android tablet? Cost is important and I'd like to keep it under $300 if possible.

I like my Nexus tablet, although the Nexus 9 is $399 and I'm presuming you'd want that size screen, instead of something smaller like the 7.

 

[wenrob]

I have trouble with the idea that personal computers are new technology, considering the fact that I got my first PC (an IBM with a floppy drive) in 1983! That was THIRTY ONE years ago! Believe me, using a new Windows or Apple computer today is a lot easier than dealing with DOS. PCs have been around for half of a 60 year old's lifetime. How could they avoid using one?

Not everyone was into technology or thought they needed one? I didn't get a laptop until 2003 maybe? My DH had built a PC but other than occasionally using his email I never felt the need for one. He went and bought me the laptop to try out. My parents got theirs around the same time. My mother and stepfather have never had a computer. They tried iPhones for a bit have an iPad but rarely use it. It's actually not that uncommon for people feel they're just fine without it. As I mentioned earlier my sister at 44 has only now stepped into the age of technology.

 

[tvguy]

Is there a way you can have her try out tablets, iPads and laptops to see if she has a preference? People are so different.

My mom was an RN and they did everything in the charts by hand, never learned to type, and so anything with a keyboard turned her off. She sooo would have enjoyed using the internet.

Me, I'm 57, used keyboards (yes, starting with manual typewriters) for close to 50 years, and I have an Android tablet, and there is nothing more frustrating to me than a tablet or ipad keyboard. No way I'm giving up my full sized keyboard.

And finally, in my book 70 is not elderly. But I live in a state where our 76 year old Governor was reelected for another 4 year term, and my 70+ year old neighbor just had his active 94 year old dad move in with him.

 

[midwestdee]

I vote for laptop. While I've been sliding down the over 50 hill for awhile, I wouldn't call myself elderly by any means and tablets drive me nuts. I have to have a keyboard AND a mouse.

 

[robinb]

I just picked up a Samsung 10.1" Galaxy Tab 4 at Costco for $230. It seemed like a good deal to me. We'll see if my sister ok's it or not.

 

[crazelion]

I just bought mom Asus Memo pad for around a 100 bucks. I got tired of her stealing the kids tablets. The one thing she do on the tablet is surf the web and play casino games all day. LOL

 

[disney1990]

My mom is in her mid-70's and wants a device to get onto the internet. She used to use WebTV back in the day where she had a small keyboard and used her TV as her monitor. That was years ago. My sister thinks she should get a tablet but I think she needs so something with a keyboard for easy typing. Now I am starting to think my sister is right (and you know how hard it is to admit that, LOL). My mom is a bit clumsy and I suspect that she will spill pop on the device at one time or another so I'm thinking that something with a sturdy waterproof cover might be best.

What do you think would be best for an elderly parent?

LOL - my DH will be 70 in February and there is nothing elderly about him. He can run circles around lots of 20 year olds that I know.

 

[HM]

My parents are 75.
They have an older iPad and never use it - too heavy.
They have an iTouch they use for surfing the web, Facebook, and such.
They have a desktop for doing official things like Taxes and billing things and whatever else.

We've been having an argument amongst us kids about what they might want for Christmas. I've suggested an iPad Mini because my Dad asks me about mine EVERY time they see me with it. They love the size compared to their iTouch. The others think a new laptop that works better than the one they have is a better idea. I have no idea what we'll end up doing.

 

[robinb]

I just bought mom Asus Memo pad for around a 100 bucks. I got tired of her stealing the kids tablets. The one thing she do on the tablet is surf the web and play casino games all day. LOL

What size did you get? The 7" is a good price now but I'm not sure it's big enough.

I might return the Galaxy. It was pretty expensive, I have to buy an expensive case for it and I also have to insure it against my nephew so I'm looking at another $130-$150 on top of what I paid. Plus, my sister now says she can't help pay for it so it's all on me.

 

[runwad]

I'm going to chirp in on a Chromebook. I've mentioned it to my non-computer savy older sister. You don't have to worry about viruses, it's just a streaming device, updates happen automatically, you simply turn it on and go. Easy peazy. For someone who just wants to surf the web, it's great. It does so much more but as a streaming tool it would be great for her.

 

[powellrj]

My parents are 75.
They have an older iPad and never use it - too heavy.
They have an iTouch they use for surfing the web, Facebook, and such.
They have a desktop for doing official things like Taxes and billing things and whatever else.

We've been having an argument amongst us kids about what they might want for Christmas. I've suggested an iPad Mini because my Dad asks me about mine EVERY time they see me with it. They love the size compared to their iTouch. The others think a new laptop that works better than the one they have is a better idea. I have no idea what we'll end up doing.

While I am not quite as old as your parents, I too had an I pad that I never used because it was too heavy, but I love my mini and use it all the time. I also use a desktop for anything business related. If their desktop needs replaced I would go with that. I use to have a laptop, but still prefer the desktop for important things.

 

[Ephany]

We have a Samsung galaxy tab 4 (7"), a galaxy tab S (8.4") and a galaxy tab pro (8.4"). The tab S is mine and I bought it to replace a 7" tab 3. DH bought the pro 8.4" to replace his Ipad2. Both of us agree, that for us, 8.4" is the perfect size. His full size Ipad was just too big for general surfing and I thought the 7" was a just a bit too small. We bought the pro last week for $199 and honestly, if it were for DD instead of DH, we'd have most likely bought another tab 4; he just wanted the extra bells and whistles.

My mom's definitely shown a preference for her tablet compared to her laptop. I think the ease of just using apps appeal to her. I know the portability was also a factor.

 

[midwestdee]

I didn't see it mentioned in the thread - but AARP has what they call a RealPad for $189 - hopefully this link will work if you want to check it out

http://www.aarprealpad.org/?intcmp=ASI-RR-HP2-REALPAD

 

[teacup princess]

We got my mom a laptop several years ago but despite us leaving a cheat sheet next to it she could never figure out how to log in. My SIL got her a e reader with internet capabilities but she didn't like it. My brother got her an iPad so she could FaceTime her grandchildren which she's used a couple of times but usually we end up having a conversation with the couch. I agree with the statement about evaluating her willingness to embrace technology. Unfortunately, some jumped off that train years ago.

 

[crazelion]

What size did you get? The 7" is a good price now but I'm not sure it's big enough.

I might return the Galaxy. It was pretty expensive, I have to buy an expensive case for it and I also have to insure it against my nephew so I'm looking at another $130-$150 on top of what I paid. Plus, my sister now says she can't help pay for it so it's all on me.

Yes I got 7 inch. I bought off Amazon. If that's not big enough there's 8 inch and 10 inch. Plus get good reviews too. I think about case and screen protector for under 10 bucks. I am trying to remember how much that paid for the protection plan. I am not sure. I use my Amazon gift card balance. I am sure all came under 130 dollar range.

 

[robinb]

I didn't see it mentioned in the thread - but AARP has what they call a RealPad for $189 - hopefully this link will work if you want to check it out

http://www.aarprealpad.org/?intcmp=ASI-RR-HP2-REALPAD

Thanks! I compared that to the Asus Memo 7 I just bought and it's about the same except for the screen resolution is better in the AARP one.

Yes I got 7 inch. I bought off Amazon. If that's not big enough there's 8 inch and 10 inch. Plus get good reviews too. I think about case and screen protector for under 10 bucks. I am trying to remember how much that paid for the protection plan. I am not sure. I use my Amazon gift card balance. I am sure all came under 130 dollar range.

I'm thinking of keeping the Asus because of the price. I got it for $84 delivered through Kohl's and I earned $10 in Kohls Cash too.

ETA, I see it's cheaper at Amazon. Hmmm ...

 

[buzz5985]

Have you considered a Kindle Fire?? They start at $99 for I think it's a 6 inch, the next size up is $139 and the Fire HD is $199. They are Android based.

Janis