Is a tablet the answer?

[hvp05]

I didn't want to redirect the other threads, so...

As I indicated previously, tablets are revolutionary devices that will change the way we do many, many things.

My mom has an old desktop that she has been considering replacing, possibly with a laptop. She is not tech savvy whatsoever (she is currently having issues with her Net connectivity) and gets easily frustrated when problems arise.

I suggested she consider an iPad 2, because they are supposed to "just work" and don't require a lot of tuning. Then I read that one still needs a [connected] desktop with iTunes to setup and update the iPad - a fact that has disappointed many potential buyers.

I checked out the Asus Slate, but that seems to be a little more than she would need.

Her main functions are e-mail, web and the occasional variety of media and games; nothing too intense. But the device in speculation should be independent, without the need for a 'real' computer.

Would the Xoom fit this need? Something else, possibly?

 

[migtig]

Is her vision fantastic?

The reason I ask is I went small and portable with an asus a while back because I am not tech saavy and all I wanted was to surf the internet and email.

It so sucked, because I'm blind as a bat and it gave me a headache and made my surfing miserable. I couldn't get things the size I needed and then actually see it all on the same screen without scrolling all over. It was exasperating.

Also it sucked because I actually needed more memory than I thought. Pictures, games, recipes, downloads for adobe and such to keep the web running smooth, etc.

My husband tired of me whining, took my little thing and converted it into something else and handed me a laptop. I stopped most of my complaining.

 

[nobody really]

i thought this was gonna be "they want to put my kid on ridalin" thread

 

[Beta84]

i still feel like the tabloid are more for people that have an idea of what they're doing with technology. What about a netbook? Those are supposed to be a little bit easier, but still gives you a little more than a tablet.

 

[BigSlam123b]

i still feel like the tabloid are more for people that have an idea of what they're doing with technology. What about a netbook? Those are supposed to be a little bit easier, but still gives you a little more than a tablet.

You really need to talk to her and assess her exact needs. I love my Xoom and my netbook. The Xoom can do everything the netbook can do but it does need to be managed to keep it running smooth, as there are many apps that arent tablet optimized and will crash the tablet. An 11" netbook may better fit the bill.

 

[Nickel]

I stopped most of my complaining.

 

[pelers]

An 11" netbook may better fit the bill.

I wouldn't suggest just buying a netbook for her, if you choose to go this route. Take her with you to try out the keyboard. When my hubby was checking them out last year or so we noticed that most of them have some drastically different layouts. Some have nice, normal buttons others practically halved the size of the keys which made it horribly uncomfortable to type on!

In that vein, a tablet may also be a bad idea because typing on them can be a bit uncomfortable. I personally have found them to be quite awkward size wise, not big enough to lay down and use like a keyboard but too large for thumb typing.

I would probably just go with a regular laptop (with a mouse!). Nothing fancy, just basic. Less worry about keyboard size issues. Also, having a built-in CD/DVD drive is very nice. I regularly receive CDs from my in-laws with the bajillions of photos they took of their grandson while they were visiting. Not sure if your mother receives photo CDs from people or not, but if she does that could be a concern.

 

[hvp05]

Thanks, everyone! I have viewed some netbooks and they do seem a viable option. Initially, I was leaning towards tablets more because the industry seems to be favoring their development most.

Not sure if your mother receives photo CDs from people or not, but if she does that could be a concern.

No, she doesn't. As I said, most of her content would be downloaded. But a DVD drive would be nice just because.

I cannot go shopping with her because I live too far away. Her brother can help her out in that way though.

 

[aps45819]

I would probably just go with a regular laptop (with a mouse!). Nothing fancy, just basic.

TigerDirect.com - Computers, Computer Parts, Computer Components, Netbooks & Electronics always has nice laptops on sale. I got a a nice one a couple of months ago with a big hard drive and a DVD drive. Even has a HDMI port so you can use it to play DVDs on your TV

 

[GWguy]

Thanks, everyone! I have viewed some netbooks and they do seem a viable option. Initially, I was leaning towards tablets more because the industry seems to be favoring their development most.

There are different types of 'netbooks'. I did a bunch of shopping around before I got mine. I wound up with a small format (11.6") laptop, looks like a netbook, designed like a netbook, has the battery life of a netbook (6 hours), but has a Core Solo processor instead of an Atom. Much peppier. I have big hands but have no problem whatever using this keyboard, and if that is a real issue, just add a USB or bluetooth keyboard.

Acer AS1410.

 

[hvp05]

Acer AS1410.

My mom does not have man hands lmao, but thanks for the suggestion.

The full-on laptops are not out of the equation, I suppose, but as I said in the OP, I wanted to find her something that would essentially be plug-and-play. I figured a tablet would be more user-friendly straight out of the box.