I’d like to buy a laptop or tablet for my parents for Christmas but I’m not really up on current technology (if I do buy them one they’ll be further ahead on the tech curve than me…which is a bit worrying).
Anyway they’d be using it for the basic stuff, internet, email, skype etc my dad uses PC’s at work but my mum has little experience with computers so ease of use would be the most important consideration.
I’m not looking to spend more than £300 (approx $500 in yer standard Merican dollars)
I would recommend an iPad, they are very intuitive. Only 1 button! You can get an older wi-fi model for that price. It is not great for typing however, the lack of keyboard can be disconcerting. So maybe someone else would have another suggestion.
I got my parents an iPad after they could not master checking email on their Franken-puter. They were always afraid they were going to hit a wrong button and break it. With the iPad, that worry has subsided. My sister and I repeatedly reassured them that they were not going to mess anything up as long as they stayed out of the Settings app. Now my mom is using Facebook and checking email like a pro.
Another vote for the iPad here, but also to mention that if there’s an Apple Store near your folks then sign them up for the free hands-on tutorials they offer. Have both parents go, and ask if the teacher has a spare one to use during the class so they both get good amounts of hands-on time.
Those classes were very helpful. They have Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.
A friend has an iPad with a separate keyboard: the keyboard comes with a docking connector and a support to hold the iPad up at an angle (like a laptop screen).
I doubt it would be good for heavy-duty wordsmithing, but for typing emails she said it works well enough. Hers was something like this one.
That’s a really good point about getting two of them. It will save you all some future grief.
Also, if you go with the iPad, consider getting the mini rather than the full size. It’s lighter and easier to hold in one hand. I don’t know if hand strength is an issue for your folks, but it’s something to think about.
David Pogue has a good column about tablets. The point he misses is that Android tablets are a lot cheaper than iPad tablets. You can buy two Android tablets for what one ipad costs.
Again, thanks for the answers everyone, much appreciated!
Yeah, they have wifi, the main reason I’m going to buy them a tablet is because their desktop is so slow and outdated (and my mum doesn’t like using it).
Everyone will have their own preferences here - many people are happy with the zooming features or text size options on the smaller screens. There’s no right option. It’s just something to think about.