First Tablet for OAP
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 9
From: Newark'ish
First Tablet for OAP
I am trying to help an 80+ couple to get their very first computer!
Because I have been brought up with computers of all sorts and have a 30yr old son who has tech coming out of his ears, I find it quite hard to know where to start!
They are going from ground zero to the deep end.
I have assumed a tablet of some sort as it will be just for messages, emails and casual browsing, but has anyone got any real life experience and advice?
Because I have been brought up with computers of all sorts and have a 30yr old son who has tech coming out of his ears, I find it quite hard to know where to start!
They are going from ground zero to the deep end.
I have assumed a tablet of some sort as it will be just for messages, emails and casual browsing, but has anyone got any real life experience and advice?
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 38
From: Southport
Ipad all the way. Whatever you think of Apple they have the "gadgets for people who aren't at all techy" market sewn up, they're easy to use and well built. But pricey..... Maybe go to CEX and get a second hand one, but make sure it's new enough to run the latest Ios.
My support calls from my parents have dropped to zero since they got ipads.
My support calls from my parents have dropped to zero since they got ipads.
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 21
From: YMML
If at all possible let them have a trial run (not just an afternoon) with both a laptop and a tablet, preferably at the same time - some people struggle with the physical side of using a touch interface. That includes a laptop touchpad so include a mouse.
CH3CH2OH
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 526
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From: The Pub
My 96 year old mother is a demon with a Hudl (no longer available sadly), it has a nicely cushioned case in case of drops or other mishaps.
An iPad would be an option, generally with a purchase price x 3 of an android device though possibly marginally easier to use.
An iPad would be an option, generally with a purchase price x 3 of an android device though possibly marginally easier to use.
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 13
From: UK
iPad too I think. We got one for my mother-in-law who is 70+ and she has taken to it pretty well. It can't always do whatever a atop can do and is notoriously poor at adding photos etc, but they have a good internet connection and wifi it should be fine. One problem with an iPad for a couple is that you can't have 2 user accounts but if they do everything as one it should be ok. I would aim for one with as much memory as you can afford and have a look in the apple refurbished store https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/browse...cialdeals/ipad
If it is a close couple, ie parents or family, you might want to have all their log ins as well and 'manage' their accounts remotely when required Eg, the MiL enters meter readings etc but we actually manage the account, including sorting out her spam filters and cleaning up her mailbox from time to time.
If it is a close couple, ie parents or family, you might want to have all their log ins as well and 'manage' their accounts remotely when required Eg, the MiL enters meter readings etc but we actually manage the account, including sorting out her spam filters and cleaning up her mailbox from time to time.
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 273
Likes: 42
From: SLF from NV (LAS)
iPad if they plan to compute while in their comfy chairs. If sitting at a table then an iPad with a keyboard or a regular laptop.
As a tech person I find Apple iOS to be frustratingly closed but for a neophyte user it is excellent.
As a tech person I find Apple iOS to be frustratingly closed but for a neophyte user it is excellent.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 9
From: Newark'ish
Thanks for all the suggestions & great advice.
The more I think about it, the more I realise what a big step it is for someone who has never been near a computer. Like just finding out what a wheel is and then being given the keys to a Lambo!
Must admit my first thought was an iPad (full size rather than mini though because of eyesight issues) as they are (fairly) easy to keep going and our family are all familiar with them so plenty of support.
Good suggestion of a trial run though as it is a big leap from quill pen to touch screen.
Common log in seems a good starting point as well.
Not sure how quickly (if ever) they will come to terms with internet banking and managing online energy accounts & bills? I will tread softly on that one, although they may surprise me!
The more I think about it, the more I realise what a big step it is for someone who has never been near a computer. Like just finding out what a wheel is and then being given the keys to a Lambo!
Must admit my first thought was an iPad (full size rather than mini though because of eyesight issues) as they are (fairly) easy to keep going and our family are all familiar with them so plenty of support.
Good suggestion of a trial run though as it is a big leap from quill pen to touch screen.
Common log in seems a good starting point as well.
Not sure how quickly (if ever) they will come to terms with internet banking and managing online energy accounts & bills? I will tread softly on that one, although they may surprise me!
Joined: Apr 2006
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 508
Likes: 24
From: Oxford
Thanks for all the suggestions & great advice.
The more I think about it, the more I realise what a big step it is for someone who has never been near a computer. Like just finding out what a wheel is and then being given the keys to a Lambo!
Must admit my first thought was an iPad (full size rather than mini though because of eyesight issues) as they are (fairly) easy to keep going and our family are all familiar with them so plenty of support.
Good suggestion of a trial run though as it is a big leap from quill pen to touch screen.
Common log in seems a good starting point as well.
Not sure how quickly (if ever) they will come to terms with internet banking and managing online energy accounts & bills? I will tread softly on that one, although they may surprise me!
The more I think about it, the more I realise what a big step it is for someone who has never been near a computer. Like just finding out what a wheel is and then being given the keys to a Lambo!
Must admit my first thought was an iPad (full size rather than mini though because of eyesight issues) as they are (fairly) easy to keep going and our family are all familiar with them so plenty of support.
Good suggestion of a trial run though as it is a big leap from quill pen to touch screen.
Common log in seems a good starting point as well.
Not sure how quickly (if ever) they will come to terms with internet banking and managing online energy accounts & bills? I will tread softly on that one, although they may surprise me!
Bill
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 5
From: Wor Yerm
The iPad won't be problem. It's the rest of the stuff that goes with it. Printer (may I suggest an HP Envy with airprint), local WiFi and broadband, back-up and most important of all, education. As we all know, there are some very naughty people out there. They will also have to be eased into search engines, writing, banking and some very useful stuff like emails (hotmail account or their won domain?), Google Earth, maps.me and suchlike. They will love it...eventually.
PM
PM
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 0
From: Confoederatio Helvetica
Security and privacy are very important. From the begining warn them of 'free stuff' like gmail and google. Their ISP's mail could be perfectly adequate while duckduckgo is superior to google and they don't track you.
ddg can be set up as the default search engine on an iPad.Settings >> Safari >> Search Engine
ddg can be set up as the default search engine on an iPad.Settings >> Safari >> Search Engine
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 924
Likes: 1
From: Australia
iPad by far.
It just works without the frustration that other computers come with.
They will need a little help - when I got my iPad some years ago I couldn't work out how to get anything displayed on screen till I eventually worked out swiping!!
So as a computer dope, I feel somewha qualified to say - iPad all the way.
IT JUST WORKS.
It just works without the frustration that other computers come with.
They will need a little help - when I got my iPad some years ago I couldn't work out how to get anything displayed on screen till I eventually worked out swiping!!
So as a computer dope, I feel somewha qualified to say - iPad all the way.
IT JUST WORKS.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Dorking
My Mum's 90 and had her iPad for several years, and is far happier with it than she ever was with her laptops.
The only advice that I can give is that (if you're the person they call when they have a problem) is either to buy one for yourself or get good at trawling Apple faq pages when something doesn't work. Mum's has needed the network settings fully reset three times now, which is just infrequent enough to make sure that I've forgotten how to fix it when it happens again.
If you're setting it up for them, write down all the login passwords and network stuff and take that away with you. (I use evernote so that I can get the info anywhere easily).
The only advice that I can give is that (if you're the person they call when they have a problem) is either to buy one for yourself or get good at trawling Apple faq pages when something doesn't work. Mum's has needed the network settings fully reset three times now, which is just infrequent enough to make sure that I've forgotten how to fix it when it happens again.
If you're setting it up for them, write down all the login passwords and network stuff and take that away with you. (I use evernote so that I can get the info anywhere easily).
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
From: Canada
iPad, but get a full-sized one. Even at my not-very-advanced age, I often have problems reading small text on my iPad Mini.
Android tablets will be cheaper, but they rapidly become a security nightmare when the manufacturer stops supporting them.
Android tablets will be cheaper, but they rapidly become a security nightmare when the manufacturer stops supporting them.
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 27,397
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From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
iPads are fine and dandy, but pretty expensive and touch screens can be awkward for the elderly.
A lady friend of mine who knows as much about computers as I do about flower arranging, in fact retuning a DTV is rocket science to her, was given both an iPad as a leaving present from work when she retired - and also, from her children, a simple Lenovo 100S 11.5" Win10 laptop from Currysdigitaldixonscometpcworld, which she uses with a USB mouse.
The iPad has been switched on once and never used since, whereas the Lenovo is in daily use...
A lady friend of mine who knows as much about computers as I do about flower arranging, in fact retuning a DTV is rocket science to her, was given both an iPad as a leaving present from work when she retired - and also, from her children, a simple Lenovo 100S 11.5" Win10 laptop from Currysdigitaldixonscometpcworld, which she uses with a USB mouse.
The iPad has been switched on once and never used since, whereas the Lenovo is in daily use...
