Buying an iPad for non internet savvy mum - Good idea?
Discussion
Hi all,
I live in Canada, and want to buy my mum in the UK an iPad as she's been taking a course in learning how to use computers, and it means I can send her photos, Skype, etc.
Couple of questions that I hope you guys would be able to help out with:
1) She doesn't have the internet at home, is there a way for me to pre-pay a data plan for her, or should I just get her a wifi connection installed? I'm worried about it adding another layer of complexity for her.
2) She doesn't have a credit card, can she use prepaid iTunes cards exclusively (If she ever does anything like that)
3) How easy are they to use from someone that isn't that computer savvy? I can guess, but if anyone on here has had the same dilemma I'd like to know!
Thanks!
I live in Canada, and want to buy my mum in the UK an iPad as she's been taking a course in learning how to use computers, and it means I can send her photos, Skype, etc.
Couple of questions that I hope you guys would be able to help out with:
1) She doesn't have the internet at home, is there a way for me to pre-pay a data plan for her, or should I just get her a wifi connection installed? I'm worried about it adding another layer of complexity for her.
2) She doesn't have a credit card, can she use prepaid iTunes cards exclusively (If she ever does anything like that)
3) How easy are they to use from someone that isn't that computer savvy? I can guess, but if anyone on here has had the same dilemma I'd like to know!
Thanks!
Well, whatever you do, it depends on how she wants to put music etc on the device. If she will use iTunes, it will be a doodle. All on the device, easy to get to, easy to use. If she wants to use it with a computer, (and this applies to all tablets), she will have to drag and drop to external drives, sync, or whatever. Depending on what she can do on a comp will depend on whether it is easy or not. It is the only real issue I can see.
PW said:
I think you need debit/credit card details to set up an iTunes account, after that you could use prepaid cards to credit the account.
Not true. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2534
T84 said:
she's been taking a course in learning how to use computers, and it means I can send her photos, Skype, etc.
I bet the course uses computers with a screen and keyboard, possibly using standard MS software to send emails and write letters. You may have to start all over again with a tablet.There are a lot of computing things we may take for granted and consider to be very simple but are considered to be dark arts for a lot of people.
y2blade said:
Very much a good idea for someone non internet savvy 
Very much so 
Whilst my dad knows a little bit, hes not what I would call computer savvy. I bought him an ipad 3G in June so he could stream Sky and catchup TV while he's in his truck and also browse the net etc.
He loves it and finds it very easy to use
Go for it, what could possibly go wrong?
http://www.wimp.com/dadipad/
http://www.wimp.com/lovesipad/
SFW
http://www.wimp.com/dadipad/
http://www.wimp.com/lovesipad/
SFW
Edited by karona on Friday 20th July 05:53
Just to balance things. I have tried numerous times to get my 81yo Mum to use my iPad, she has not got a clue, she cannot navigate the screens and gets stuck every time we try, and we have tried! it's all just too much for her to take in.
She is, however, getting on much better with the PC, she can now send an email!
She is, however, getting on much better with the PC, she can now send an email!
LordGrover said:
... and there's the dilemma - we're all different. 
If she does 'get it' she'll love and thank you forever more, but she may not even get past Go. I'd get her one to try but be prepared to have it back if it doesn't work out. I'm sure you could make use of it.
^^^ This, the elderly seem to cope with iPad's better than computers, it's just gestures and they're kinda intuitive If she does 'get it' she'll love and thank you forever more, but she may not even get past Go. I'd get her one to try but be prepared to have it back if it doesn't work out. I'm sure you could make use of it.
My parent's love theirs, the only thing is I've now got to set up AirPrint for them too
Aye, go for it
My Mum would view a computer or laptop as being the work of the devil, and wouldn't generally go anywhere near one. However, she quite happily uses my old man's iPad2.
It's probably the easiest way to get a non tech-savvy person using the internet / email etc.
eta - I'd probably go down the wifi route, particularly if you're talking about using skype a lot.
My Mum would view a computer or laptop as being the work of the devil, and wouldn't generally go anywhere near one. However, she quite happily uses my old man's iPad2.
It's probably the easiest way to get a non tech-savvy person using the internet / email etc.
eta - I'd probably go down the wifi route, particularly if you're talking about using skype a lot.
Edited by ApexJimi on Friday 20th July 10:49
I have been using PCs for years, not an expert, but certainly know my way around them. Last year I got my hands on an iPad as the owner wasn't really sure how to use it and asked me to have a look with a view to giving them some guidance.
It's very pretty and the build quality feels superb, but that was about all I could offer and quickly gave it back. Far prefer conventional keyboard and mouse navigation. I haven't heard mention of it since and I strongly suspect it is back in it's box and in a cupboard somewhere as the owner has access to a PC.
Just not seeing how it is better for beginners.
It's very pretty and the build quality feels superb, but that was about all I could offer and quickly gave it back. Far prefer conventional keyboard and mouse navigation. I haven't heard mention of it since and I strongly suspect it is back in it's box and in a cupboard somewhere as the owner has access to a PC.
Just not seeing how it is better for beginners.
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