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

[3happydancers]

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.

What about the Samsung Galaxy tablet? You could get a 10 inch for about $300.00. It has an android OS and comes in smaller sizes. Recently Costco had them on sale. I saw the 8" for $179 and the 7" for $129.

 

[robinb]

What about the Samsung Galaxy tablet? You could get a 10 inch for about $300.00. It has an android OS and comes in smaller sizes. Recently Costco had them on sale. I saw the 8" for $179 and the 7" for $129.

I did buy one of the big ones for a great price at Costco ($245 with tax) but that's when I thought my sister would help pay for it. I said upthread that it would cost me another $45-70 for insurance and another bunch of money for a sturdy case which would raise my OOP expense another $130-$150 on top of the tablet. If I had known that my sister changed her mind about paying for it I would have gotten the 8" one.

 

[natfrac]

My 79 year old mom loves her ipad. Her younger sister went with a less expensive option and has found it much harder to navigate.

 

[HM]

I did buy one of the big ones for a great price at Costco ($245 with tax) but that's when I thought my sister would help pay for it. I said upthread that it would cost me another $45-70 for insurance and another bunch of money for a sturdy case which would raise my OOP expense another $130-$150 on top of the tablet. If I had known that my sister changed her mind about paying for it I would have gotten the 8" one.

So, originally your sister was going in on the gift with you, but has changed her mind? What's her new plan? Are you taking the tablet back for return or exchange for something you can afford yourself?

 

[3happydancers]

I did buy one of the big ones for a great price at Costco ($245 with tax) but that's when I thought my sister would help pay for it. I said upthread that it would cost me another $45-70 for insurance and another bunch of money for a sturdy case which would raise my OOP expense another $130-$150 on top of the tablet. If I had known that my sister changed her mind about paying for it I would have gotten the 8" one.

Silly me; just saw your post about your purchase. I should have paid better attention to the thread.

Sorry the situation changed. Can you exchange the 10"? Costco is very good with that. The 8" is a nice size but I'm not sure how much they want as of today. The insurance you mention, is it the Square Trade insurance? If not, Costco offers that too but not sure if it is a discounted price. You can purchase the Square Trade on your own. Just go to there website.

 

[robinb]

So, originally your sister was going in on the gift with you, but has changed her mind? What's her new plan? Are you taking the tablet back for return or exchange for something you can afford yourself?

My sister suggested that we go into the tablet together before Thanksgiving and then when I bought the Galaxy she said that money was tight and she could no longer pay for half. I don't know what her plan is and I'm not even sure of my own plan at this point .

Silly me; just saw your post about your purchase. I should have paid better attention to the thread.

Sorry the situation changed. Can you exchange the 10"? Costco is very good with that. The 8" is a nice size but I'm not sure how much they want as of today. The insurance you mention, is it the Square Trade insurance? If not, Costco offers that too but not sure if it is a discounted price. You can purchase the Square Trade on your own. Just go to there website.

Hmmm ... I might see if Costco will exchange the 10'1 for the 8 at the promo price. It's worth a try. Yes, the insurance is through Square Trade.

 

[3happydancers]

My sister suggested that we go into the tablet together before Thanksgiving and then when I bought the Galaxy she said that money was tight and she could no longer pay for half. I don't know what her plan is and I'm not even sure of my own plan at this point .

Hmmm ... I might see if Costco will exchange the 10'1 for the 8 at the promo price. It's worth a try. Yes, the insurance is through Square Trade.

Costo gives you 3 months to return electronics even after opening and using the device (no restocking fees). I've had to return a lap top 2 years ago and they were awesome. Just make sure you save the receipt. It makes the transaction go that much quicker!

 

[robinb]

Thanks everyone for their advice! Here's an update. I was going to get an 8" tablet at Best Buy because my sister and BIL are very happy with their warranty service. But, when I went to order the darn thing it was only available in-store and it was not available near me or near her .

I ended up with this 9" Dragon Touch 9" tablet from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LVGIH7U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It got really great reviews (of course, the 1* review came in after I bought it ) and it is super cheap. I ordered a case and insured it with SquareTrade and everything came in under $100. If she ends up really needing a keyboard I can get a case with a built in keyboard for less than $20 delivered.

ETA: I returned both the Samsung and the Asus with no problems.