# Recommend a laptop/tablet for my parents **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 26, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193 "2012-11-26T20:04:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/1 "2012-11-26T20:04:57Z")
If this is the wrong forum I apologise. 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)_ Any recommendations? Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![green2gold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4bbf92/32.png) [@green2gold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green2gold)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/2 "2012-11-26T23:30:32Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/3 "2012-11-27T00:46:55Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/4 "2012-11-27T04:29:00Z")
My 86 year old mother cannot be separated from her iPad - unless it is to use her iPod Touch. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/5 "2012-11-27T23:16:51Z")
Thanks for the answers everyone, I guess an iPad it is! ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2012, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/6 "2012-11-28T06:54:35Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/7 "2012-11-28T16:32:17Z")
Do you parents have wi-fi? A tablet computer is nearly a door stop without one. Also you can almost get **2** kindle fire hds for that price. Asking people to share a tablet for book reading is cruel. [http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0083PWAWU/ref=amb\_link\_172452907\_4/275-1870226-1186058?ie=UTF8&nav\_sdd=aps&pf\_rd\_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf\_rd\_s=center-1&pf\_rd\_r=0MH733JFR2C2QVBG8ADK&pf\_rd\_t=101&pf\_rd\_p=346868367&pf\_rd\_i=468294](http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0083PWAWU/ref=amb_link_172452907_4/275-1870226-1186058?ie=UTF8&nav_sdd=aps&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0MH733JFR2C2QVBG8ADK&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=346868367&pf_rd_i=468294) ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/8 "2012-11-28T16:46:37Z")
Do you parents have wi-fi? A tablet computer is nearly a door stop without one. Also you can almost get **2** kindle fire hds for that price. Asking people to share a tablet for book reading is cruel. [http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0083PWAWU/ref=amb\_link\_172452907\_4/275-1870226-1186058?ie=UTF8&nav\_sdd=aps&pf\_rd\_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf\_rd\_s=center-1&pf\_rd\_r=0MH733JFR2C2QVBG8ADK&pf\_rd\_t=101&pf\_rd\_p=346868367&pf\_rd\_i=468294](http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0083PWAWU/ref=amb_link_172452907_4/275-1870226-1186058?ie=UTF8&nav_sdd=aps&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0MH733JFR2C2QVBG8ADK&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=346868367&pf_rd_i=468294) ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/9 "2012-11-29T15:07:16Z")
> [@green2gold](#): > > 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. 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](http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Keyboard-MC533LL-Retail-Packaging/dp/B003H24BGM). ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2012, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/10 "2012-11-29T15:30:11Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > Do you parents have wi-fi? A tablet computer is nearly a door stop without one. > > Also you can almost get **2** kindle fire hds for that price. Asking people to share a tablet for book reading is cruel. > > [http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0083PWAWU/ref=amb\_link\_172452907\_4/275-1870226-1186058?ie=UTF8&nav\_sdd=aps&pf\_rd\_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf\_rd\_s=center-1&pf\_rd\_r=0MH733JFR2C2QVBG8ADK&pf\_rd\_t=101&pf\_rd\_p=346868367&pf\_rd\_i=468294](http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0083PWAWU/ref=amb_link_172452907_4/275-1870226-1186058?ie=UTF8&nav_sdd=aps&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0MH733JFR2C2QVBG8ADK&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=346868367&pf_rd_i=468294) 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. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/11 "2012-11-29T15:59:58Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > 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. But eyesight often becomes an issue before hand strength. A larger screen is better in that respect. I was going to recommend a Chromebook as it’s perfect for light use. But I don’t think Skype is available on it yet. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/12 "2012-11-29T19:47:19Z")
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. [http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/29/technology/personaltech/tablets-are-hot-holiday-gifts-but-which-one-to-buy-review.html?pagewanted=1&\_r=0](http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/29/technology/personaltech/tablets-are-hot-holiday-gifts-but-which-one-to-buy-review.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0) ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/13 "2012-12-01T12:34:20Z")
Again, thanks for the answers everyone, much appreciated! > [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > Do you parents have wi-fi? A tablet computer is nearly a door stop without one. 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)_. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/14 "2012-12-01T17:27:31Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > But eyesight often becomes an issue before hand strength. A larger screen is better in that respect. 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. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193/15 "2012-12-01T17:34:19Z")
if they might have finger control problems the a tablet might be bad. you need to make complicated coordinated gestures for that. also if they have problems get a laptop without a touch pad, or disable the touch pad and use an external mouse.