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Ask Slashdot: Easy Wi-Fi-Enabled Tablet For My Dad?
An anonymous reader writes "I'm looking to pick up a tablet for my father. He is in his 70s and the internet is a bit of a mystery to him, but he asked me about a way to send/receive email and watch online videos. He is not interested in getting a smartphone or changing his cheap phone plan that doesn't include data. But he is interested in getting a tablet and using the free Wi-Fi that is available in his building. Here is my question: can you recommend a tablet equivalent to those phones with the big numbers that they sell to older people? Does there exist a tablet with an interface that would be simple and easy to use for someone who has very little experience with computer GUIs?"
Like... an iPad? You may have notice the keyboard is digital, and therefore you may use the split keyboard feature for instance, and offer bigger keys to your daddy. Not mentioning other apps available...
Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
1. Pick any android tablet.
2. Select "Font Size: Huge"
The interface is dumbed-down pretty well already because it's touch based.
(Yes, you could go an iPad I suppose. *rolls eyes* :-P)
You are in a twisty maze of processor lines, all alike.
There is a lot of hype here.
Got one for my mum - problem solved.
Didn't even have to explain how to use it!
Sure, an iPad, if the OP wants to spend twice the money that he has to. A decent Android tablet using large fonts or even a replacement launcher would be perfect.
If he "has very little experience with computer GUIs", why force one upon him?
Why not instead give him something that he can control in a manner that's at least vaguely reminiscent of the way he would have used computers when he was working?
My suggestion -- a cheap, used laptop (say, 3 to 5 years old max.) with a decent wifi card in it, running your GNU/Linux distro of choice, with mutt for mail and mplayer with svgalib for the videos.
With a few carefully chosen aliases added to his .profile, it shouldn't be hard at all to make bash feel "just like" CP/M, DCL, JCL, DOS or whatever he used to use at work, so the only "new" things to adjust to would be mutt & mplayer. Once he's comfortable with that, you can introduce to what's under the hood and gradually remove the "training wheels"...
Hi,
thanks for bringing this topic up on Slashdot. I am currently looking into this too, but with another challenge on top. A relative of mine (80+ years) is going to be blind too. And he is looking for technology to help him cope with blindness.
A tablet with voice control and output would be a good solution (IMHO). Has anyone experiences with that?
From my first glance, the support in IOS for visually impaired is higher, but i may be wrong with that and the openess of Android may enable better 3rd-party tools enhancing that experience. Can you give me your input?
It is a pity, that those displays with tactile feedback are not here yet.
Thanks for any hint, Martin
You may have to help him go through the initial setup, but the GUI is pretty self-explanitory. Its pretty minamalist, easy access to what is needed, etc.
If you want a bigger tablet, though, you may be stuck going with an iPad. But if you want to save a couple hundred bucks and stick with Android, go Kindle Fire.
And don't wine about it not having full Google Apps or access to the play store or anything. You said you wanted something simple. This is simple.
We got one for my dad a couple of years ago who is in his 60s, and he loves it.
Just get an ipad - I got a cheap second hand ipad 1 for my mum (85) and she picked,up using it just fine. I never have to help her much unlike her normal computer.
To the poster who said about CPU / graphics power, potentially don't worry as most older folk are only really looking to use the web and read email, neither of which are intensive.
To the poster who said about full size vs compact : in my mums case she asked me to get her an ipad mini after playing with mine. In her case it wasn't about the screen size but because her arms aren't too strong it's easier for her to hold up and use! The air might be an option these days but it's a lot more money...
In general I think that like children, you shouldn't "dumb down" stuff for old folk unless you absolutely have to. It's not as necessary as many would have you believe. In children having to think more helps them learn and in older folk it helps stop them forget!
I know the obvious answers are 9'' iPads/Android tablets, but IMO with sending emails as a requirement he's better off with a Chromebook. It's super-easy to use and has a real keyboard that doesn't require holding down a virtual key to get extra options. According to Google, most of them haved a 11.6'' display, but there are several with a 14'' display. Also, they're dirt cheap.
You realise that safaris icon has been a compass ever since it was originally launched right? That's not to do with iOS 7...
Google Nexus
No sig today...
I'm in the same situation with my dad. He's finally decided that there are too many things that really need internet access, such as shopping and booking holidays. After much discussion, we've decided that a laptop would be better for him. Tablets are great for browsing, but as soon as you need to do things a proper keyboard wins. OK, that's partly my preference as well, but I don't want him to hit a limitation.
He may also want to do some basic photo editing. He likes photography, and has been getting by with a printer that has a card slot for his SD cards. The ability to do basic edits and back up his photos will be useful.
And yes, I'm going Windows for him. I can't justify the cost of a Mac, and his peers all have Windows so they can swap advice. For someone who hasn't used it before, Windows 8 is fine - he won't have that learning curve of everything being different.
Sigs are so 1990s. No way would I be seen dead with one.
For gods sake man, just get him an iPad. The 9.7" model has lower DPI/bigger buttons. It's easy to use.
The older models are cheap. Get a 2 or an Air, the other ones haven't got enough GPU power.
Hate to agree, but yes.
Sometimes the right tool for the job is just that, the right tool for the job.
No sig today...
When my dad asked what he should buy as a computer as per normal I asked what he would be doing with it.
Most people will answer email or web or games. His answer was "I don't know, but everybody has one." I ahve waited all my life to respond to that and the response was "Just because everybody jumps of a bridge, would you too?"
Well, not in those words. I explained that there were better options for him. I do know that there are many old and elder people who are interested in learning how to work with a computer. My parents are just not the type. Buying a phone is a challenge. I was just able to buy a 'normal' cellphone for them. Previously I bought a phone designed for the elderly and that was too complicated. A smart phone? No way! No idea what I am going to do in the future. Perhaps I have an old Nokia lying around somewhere that I can send them.
The ATM is going OK, but was also a challenge. It is technical after all.
So what was the solution I have for them? Something they already have: peoples skills and a phone. If they want to contact anybody, they can call them. No need to send an email and get no reply because people forget to answer. If they want to look something up, they can go to the bar/restaurant (they live in Spain where people live more outdoor anyway) and ask somebody. The worst case scenario is that they have to buy the guy or girl a glass of wine (and get one back).
Instead of calling me on how to turn on the screen to get to the googly page, they have (another) excuse to call me and I do the search for them. Or even worse, explain them that they have been had by entering their credit card to protect their PC and in 10 years still get charged for a program they no longer use. Or thought they were helping this nice Nigerian gentleman.
As I know them, I knew they would not be using the computer anyway. They have never used or worked with a computer at work. So absolute zero experience. So that is why I advised against it. To me it was a technical solution for a social problem. So no-go. Computers are not always the answer. Obviously YMMV.
Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
This.
My mother struggled like mad with an ipad after I lent her mine, that she decided that after all she didn't want one and stuck with her laptop. It also kyboshed her desire for an 'iphone' when after I explained that while all her friends may have one, an iphone is just a very small ipad - smaller screen, smaller icons.
Dexterity is a problem, holding the tablet withoyt realising that your contact with the hand you are holding it with is preventing the finger on the other hand from being able to move the icons. She just ended up putting on a table flat to use in case she accidentally touched the screen in the wrong place.
It was quite suprising as I hadn't considered that using an ipad would be that hard.
Turns out my father also struggled with the touch-screen environment on my sister's iphone.
I was in the same position with my mum a while ago. She never had any contact with the web until she tried my tablet. From her experience (I just asked) and mine I have to say that the what doesn't matter that much. What is important is the size of.... well everything. Nine inches at least or the touch screen keyboard and text will be to small.
The Font Size:Huge thing is one the most important aspects. We all missed links on a touch screen but older people can be somewhat confused when they miss a link. Find an Analogy to explain that this sometimes happens (to you too).
He should be set if you throw in some accessories like a tablet pillow.
Clearly based on the criteria you provided, you meant a Windows Surface Tablet.
Change is certain; progress is not obligatory.
I agree with everything except the iPad 1 part. I think an iPad 2 would be a better choice -- the iPad 1 was underpowered when it was new, mostly from a RAM perspective and it ought to be reasonably cheap as well.
I gave my wife my iPad 1 when I got the 3, and since iOS 6 came out there's been a lot of legitimate complaining about apps crashing and hanging, even the email app.
Except for the personal configuration part.
I am no Apple fan but I tend to agree just for the fact that he can take it to the store and get help if/when you are not around.
Keep the Classic Slashdot.
Every tablet made by asus?
He is in his 70s and the internet is a bit of a mystery to him, but he asked me about a way to send/receive email and watch online videos
Ah yes, he wants to watch "online videos". Really, the old goat will be browsing 4chan and redtube when he hears you closing the front door behind your ass.
8 of 13 people found this answer helpful. Did you?
and if there is one he likes.
I can vouch for the iPad. My dad was the same way as yours and now he's hooked on it.
If you do get it, the new iPad Air is thinner and lighter, making it easier to hold. Try a self standing cover to protect it, it also makes it easier to use on a table.
I suggest adding gmail app (easier than the native mail app), and finding/adding other apps he might be interested in, particularly netflix if his buliding's wifi can handle it.
What I do not recommend is just dumping the box on him and expecting to not find it at the back of the closet later.
Whatever you choose, spend some time learning it yourself so you can later spend half a day expertly teach/learn it with him, answering questions, and putting useful/fun apps he wants on it. Afterall, humans use tools they find utility in, help him find utility in one, whether it be games, entertainment, or practical things.
I've set up Android tablets for a number of family members and friends who had limited technological prowess, had very limited goals for what they wanted to be able to do and/or were intimidated by the interface and operation of a tablet. In each case the first thing I do is to replace the stock launcher with something that's more easily customizable. For tablets running Android 4,x I use Nova Launcher. For tablets running 2.x (which won't run Nova) I use Holo Launcher. I use these launchers because you can vary icon size, font size and other visual elements. Then I delete every home screen except one blank one. I disable the "dock" too, just for the sake of simplicity. I set up ONE home screen with a grid of maybe 3 columns by 5 rows, and I make my icons and fonts as large as I can that will still display clearly within that grid size (it's easy to see when you've made things too big). For anyone who finds the interface hard to read I'll go into Settings/Accessibility and make text larger (this setting changes ALL text, including on the display screens and in most apps). I custom build the home screen to fit the needs of my user but a generic example would probably have Dolphin Browser (basic operations like bookmarks are very intuitive), Gmail, theScore or ESPN for sports fans, Google Play Store, maybe YouTube. If they have certain web sites that they want to be sure they can get to I'll put an icon on the home screen that goes directly to those sites. Maybe they'd want the Kindle app, or Facebook, or Google Maps, maybe Calendar or Contacts, but I try to err on the side of simplicity for novice users. I'll drop on a Google Search widget and a Clock/Weather widget that looks colorful and I'll set a nice background photo that looks good but doesn't make things harder to read. In a lower corner I'll add an icon for Apps (having eliminated the Dock) and an icon for Settings. We're talking about tablets but if I was setting up a smartphone I'd have the essential call/text/camera icons on that lowest row as well. I'll spend some time with my novice user going over the layout and functions, make changes as needed and then "lock" the home screen so they can't accidentally delete something. What I deliver to my user is a device that has easy access to ONLY what he/she says is needed (the Apps icon will always get you everything else). I want the user to feel as though they can master the functions they have and become comfortable with the interface (novice smartphone/tablet users often have never used a touch screen or swiped to navigate). As they become more familiar and more confident they, or I if needed, can effortlessly expand the displays and uses. A new user who feels comfortable and confident will use the device and, in time, likely want to learn more. A new user who feels intimidated and lost will get frustrated quickly and stuff the thing in a drawer.
1) Pick any Android tablet you like the look of. They all have Wifi.
2) Got to Settings > Display > Font Size = Large or Huge.
3) There is no third step.
I don't have first hand experience, but I bet iPads and Windows tablets have exactly the same settings. Probably best to get a larger-screened tablet if you're going to jack the font size right up- so Nexus 10 / iPad-not-mini or similar.
Other than that- honestly, take your pick. The interfaces are all pretty idiot proof. I have first hand experience of my Gran getting an iPhone and she seemed to pick it up quickly enough, while my Dad owns a Samsung Android phone and an elderly uncle owns a Kindle Fire HD, and they both seem happy. Normal selection criteria also apply- if you get "cheap as you can find" you'll probably find responsiveness etc. is poorer; and if you're catering to a tech dunce, best to keep extra barriers to acceptance to a minimum. But then again, if he doesn't intend to use it for anything more than a little web browsing, it wouldn't be worth spending a king's ransom on it.
I say 8.9" as opposed to the 7" so he can view pages using a larger font and have that extra 2" diagonally for more screen real estate. You can ditch the Mayday button and save $150 ($229 vs $379). If he has you, why would he need Mayday? :)
'He who has to break a thing to find out what it is, has left the path of wisdom.' -- Gandalf to Saruman
Funny enough I just gave my grandmother an iPad 3 weeks ago. After about 3 1ahour sessions she has become amazingly proficient with it. To add to her difficulty in understanding the UI concepts she also has a severe case of macular degeneration which prevents her from seeing small text and what not AND only speaks French. To my amazement the next day after returning home from visiting her (I live across the country from her) I receding several iMessages and a FaceTime call - I didn't even teach her how to use the former (iMessage).
That being said, I love both Android and iOS devices but I felt that simplicity of use fell in the realm of the iPad - and from her amazing usage of it I am even more convinced of this.
My recommendation: get him/her an iPad.
Aaand a week after that the tablet will be collecting dust and papa will be back to reading books.
I got the same situation and went with an Android for my parents. Here's why:
1- With many tablets (all Samsung ones, all rooted ones, many others), TeamViewer Quick Support allows you to remote control the tablet from your PC (like Remote Desktop in Windows), which comes in very handy when doing support to a complete techno ignoramus
2- Widgets make things real easy. The home displays his new emails, the weather, a picture frame of the grandkids, maybe some news, and shortcuts to favorite sites and games.
3- 10" is required, because eyes and fingers are old
4- the price is right. an Asus MemoPad 10 is around $229 (190 euros in my country), there's no reason to spend more.
The Cloud - because you don't care if your apps and data are up in the air.
For this case I think I would disagree. While I would never use it myself, iPad would be best. Having a Nexus I have to say it takes a lot of configuration and knowledge to get it working. It does not even come with working email out of the box, and needs third-party email and other apps installed to even do basic things like email.
And these third party apps are almost certainty going to be 10 times more confusing and complicated than the built in iOS ones.
Troll is not a replacement for I disagree.
Yeah, it was a metric ton of money but thus far worth every penny. My mother is home-bound and my Dad is her primary caregiver. He greatly enjoys the iPad and has had no trouble using it. He has virtually abandoned his old Mac G5 tower. The iPad is a great social connection to his remaining college chums and keeps him in touch with the grandchildren on Facebook. He loves to play various word games like "Words with Friends."
To be fair, this could all be done with a modern Android-based tablet and I don't think my Dad would have any trouble with it but honestly I'm not going to change horses mid-stream. But the huge app base for iOS helps greatly plus a good deal of my brothers and sisters plus their children have iPads so things are just easier. I never thought I'd advocate for monoculture like this (or even appear to) but this has brought a great deal of joy into my Father's life as my Mother's health has gone downhill over the past few years. This alone has made the iPads worth every penny.
My advice: look at an iPad first but whatever you do don't cheap out.
One advantage of getting him an iPad that can run iOS7 is the fact that it has a setting to scale the default font size up and down. It only works for apps that support it, but the built-in Mail app is one of them, so you can scale the text size up for him.
http://alternatives.rzero.com/
Did you read the question? How are the cameras and higher resolution worth anything to a man in his 70s who just wants to read e-mail and watch movies? The high pixel density on the latest displays is wasted on someone with declining eyesight and presbyopia (and encourages app developers who don't understand this to use tiny fonts, just because they can). And I can't recall the last time I used a camera while reading e-mail or watching a movie. He was asking about a tablet for his father, not for you.
http://alternatives.rzero.com/
Unless OP's father's memories of "like I used to use" were being stuck in AOL's or Prodigy's walled gardens, why would anybody recommend a "married to Jeff Bezos" Kindle Fire tablet?
Crippled Android fork of a very old version, no access to Google Play or other app stores, nor sideloading (you rooters go away, we're talking about normals here).
If you must recommend a bookstore-based Android-derived tablet, a Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet or, my choice which I own, a Kobo Arc family tablet, are now essentially open Android. Sure, they have their own launchers, own look-and-feel, and work auto-magically with their own bookstores. But they have full access to Google Play right out of the box. I love my Kobo Arc tablet - Android Jellybean, open access to sideloading, other than Kobo's home screen it looks and feels mostly like Android. My Kobo is my Nook eReader, my Google Play Books eReader, my general-EPUB Aldiko eReader, and one of my Kindle eReaders.
A Kindle Fire is a Kindle eReader. Other competing book apps are blocked. Same with many other competing content marketplaces and apps.
And updates and patches matter in this use case, exactly why? Elderly person wanting to send some emails, browse some sites. Not needing nor wanting nor likely even aware of "latest and greatest"?
Get out of your own headspace and into that of the person using it.
My Samsung galaxy tab 2.
I installed cyanogenmod and its going to get "kitkat" shortly.
Which expensive tablet only allows you to run what the vendor says you can?
Same thing I said to the iPad guy. Being able to install new ROMs matters exactly why, to this use case?
No, OP's dad isn't going to give a crap about cyanogen mod. Nor about any of the other "latest and greatest" that Android fanboyz and iFans each seem to thing is so important as you rush down to give the retailers more money every few months, and then root/jailbreak/mod the shiny you just bought.
Everyone is not you.
"So i can get an IPAD up and running without an ITUNES account which has my personal data? "
Yes.
"Further, i can use some sort of "apple cloud" to store my data with apple and this is clearly different then storing the same data with google? "
Yes. Apple doesn't scan your files like Google does.
"As the AC says below, Apple hardware are front ends for iTunes. "
No. Bullshit. The profit is minimal.
"Some of us do consider ethical problems in tech. Apple has never been in trouble for "in app purchases" by kids? "
Only if the patents are so stupid not to use parental restrictions.
It's the parent fault. Not Apple's.
"My android has had "profiles" for some time now. The kids profile doesnt have a Credit Card attached."
Just like with Apple stuff. Only better. Don't let your ignorance and Apple hate shine so through.
"Read about why Jobs said the i* devices will never be made in the US, "
You mean like Samsung stuff is made with child labour?
"or why apple decided to issue bonds instead of just distributing their massive cash balances (HINT: repatriating that money would have lead to them actually paying US taxes)."
Just like Google who pay a lower tax rate than Apple.
Fandroids are real idiots and applaud themselves.
The high pixel density on the latest displays is wasted on someone with declining eyesight and presbyopia
The original poster didn't say anything about declining eyesight and presbyopia.
I'm 70 years old and I can tell the difference between 2048x1536 and 1280x1024. Especially when I'm reading.
Their gear may be pricey, but it Just Works, and everything integrates. But I know how you young whippersnappers love fiddling with the latest Ubuntu release until it almost works, so have fun.
"a half hour in the car is pushing for my mother."
Well why don't you get their car fixed before you buy them a tablet. Your poor mother...
As someone who is suffering from declining eyesight because of too many years looking at CRTs, I have to disagree. I recently switched from a first generation iPad to a higher version and have to say that the increased resolution means, to me at least, that the screen is a lot easier to reed. The extra resolution makes the characters on a web page or email a lot less fuzzy and I don't have to concentrate to as much to make out what it says.
iPads have VoiceOver, Zoom, Large Text, White on Black, Speak Selection, Speak AutoText, Mono Audio, AssistiveTouch, and Triple-Click Home. What they don't provide, third party developers provide.
photosMy Photostream
When you make a decision on a device, you need to know your client - the geriatric-instead of your own personal preferences.
1. Does it meet their needs.
2. Simplicity of operation.
3. Ease of recovery from a problem.
4. Is it easy to read?
5. Is is light in weight?
Why a camera? Skype and FaceTime. Yes, the older generation like being able to see their grandkids and would use it. So, a camera and decent mic and audio are very important.
The iPad Air is probably the best bet. Android tablets are good devices for the tech savy. Unless your parent or grand parent is is very strong technically, Android probably isn't he best choice - to easy to mess things up.
Now, if you don't mind going over all the time to fix the device (they would like that, too), go with something easy to use and fix ( Reset to factory settings...auto download of apps).
My recommendations. You may or may not agree.
We selected the current iPad. My grandfather has never used any computer in his life, at best he has used a typewriter a few times. In this case is was more for video conferencing (FaceTime) so, the screen, camera and microphones were high on the list of importance. His eyesight is really good since he had cataract surgery about 6 years ago, he still reads constantly. Ease of use and robustness was the most important since I live 1400 miles away and none of the nearby relatives have any technical skills.
The hard part was - the supervised care home he lives in does not have WiFi so we had to use a cellular hotspot. I went this route instead of buying a tablet with built-in cellular because, I could set up and test the tablet before I went out and just had purchase a hotspot from the company the had the best service at his location. I stripped the interface/ apps down to 4 buttons, FaceTime, ibooks, freebooks app, messages, and then a folder for settings and everything else I could not turn off, restrict or remove.
Being that he is a WWII vet and then worked in a factory for decades, he is very deaf. In testing it with my brother I was using AKG K240 headphones in hope with hearing aid and the headphones he might be able to hear, I did not want to use earbuds since most old people get wax build up problems from the hearing aids pushing the wax back into their ears, I did not want to make that problem worse. The AKG K240 headphones are an open air design that allows sound to both leave the headphones and the wearer to hear sounds outside the headphones. When the volume was very loud the bleed from the headphones started to cause problems with the echo canceling in FaceTime. The audio would get choppy as the echo canceling had more volume then it could deal with. I picked up some AKG K271 headphones which are a sealed design, and that solved the echo canceling issue. I found it strange to not be able to hear myself when talking, I figured he is likely used to that. As it turned out he has to have it at full volume but he can hear better over it then if you in the same room with him. He is past the gain before feedback levels the current hear aids can deliver, I don't see that improving much more anyway.
Photo stream was an added bonus, I never used it before or cared about but my brother started sending my grandfather's iPad photos, so we invited all the relatives to his stream. Now all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren can send him photos and movies that they make.
The contrast, icon sizes, clean look and that every household in the family had a least one iDevice drove the iPad selection. Only a few households had Android devices. It is very easy to tell someone is trying to contact you on iOS. I still struggle with at a glance knowing who has contacted me and in what way on my Android.
Congratulations on your statistics-defying eyesight
Age-related presbyopia is easily remedied with cheap reading glasses. If you're also nearsighted and don't wear contacts you can just take your glasses off to read. If he had cataract surgery and the surgeon used a CrystaLens (more expensive than a standard IOL) he can probably see better than a kid.
Free Martian Whores!
WebOs is extremely easy to use
I think that you can either install WebOs on some android tablets, or you can simply by one of the HP touchpads.
I've been reading this thread, and didn't want to get lost in the iPad debate, so I'm just posting fresh. As someone who's used both products, I'd say that I'm pretty over Apple stuff after over 25 years. But after making the switch from an iPhone 4 to a Galaxy S4, I'll tell you this, I lost something. And I found this out after my phone broke, but it applies to anything Apple really makes. They have Apple stores, and AppleCare etc, things that are designed to help make their products easier to use and are supported. An 18 year old clerk at the Apple store has more power than high level tech support people at most of these other companies making Android tablets. For me I notice the difference when something breaks, that I don't really have a place to go, and I'm not sure if I'm going to have to pay out of pocket and wait a long time to get my device back leaving me frustrated. For a senior, usually it's not something that's broken, but something they need to learn. Apple has classes at their stores for free and stuff. I'm not suggesting it from a purely device perspective, as I wouldn't want one under my Xmas tree, but I think from a support standpoint it's great for people who are making that first time plunge into technology.
My 70 YO brother was able to Facetime with me, without training, once he upgraded his iPad. So cameras are useful. Actually being able to see, without travel, relatives at an age when monitoring is more of an issue is valuable.
There's a ouija board app?
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
I got my dad n his 70s a Nexus 10 for father's day. He opened it and had this look of, "Thank you, but what am I going to do with this?". We went through the long process of setting it up. To many accounts, passwords settings, agreements, etc, and his look keeps getting worse. We set up Skype, and I show him how it works and he is still bewildered. So we leave for dinner.
We get back and Skype is ringing on the tablet. Its his brother from California. We answer and he is amazed and delighted. He brings it home and starts spending lots of time Skyping with his family around the world. After a couple weeks he figures out there are other apps, for news and email and the web. He loves it now and thinks it is the best gift ever.
So find your Dad's killer app, and give him a little time and support to discover all a tablet can do.
I have given iPads to my 85+ year old in-laws with excellent results. My father in law used an iPad 2 with 3G (rural no broadband, but decent "bars") for about a year before he passed. Tried FaceTime but he was too deaf. But Email, iMessage, lots of pics of family in photos and lite web surfing worked fine. Nary and issue after setup. My mother in law is fairly adept, uses apple & her old aol email accts on mail app. Web surfing and shopping on Amazon. Lots of FaceTime with family now spread all around the world. Set up world clock so she could keep track of local time for family in Europe and Asia. Avid reader on Kindle App that I keep filled with titles she likes. Lots of family (especially great grand baby pics and videos) get emailed and she knows how to click to store in photos. She now uses Notes to type simple letters and print on wireless printer. Loaded a couple slot machine apps over Thanksgiving visit. Best thing, easy to support her. FaceTime while I walk her through resolution of issues and maybe only twice needed her to screen print and email me error screens. Anyway been doing this for a couple years and its WAY better than when used to have to to help her with her old AOL Win98 desktop POS.
Here, let me explain the GP's post....
http://i.imgur.com/axJmn.gif
Get him a Kindle Fire HDX. It's not the best tablet on the market, but it's a decent one, and it has the "Mayday" button - press it and he has Amazon, not you, doing tech support 24/7/365.
The 16GB nexus 10 appears to be $449 with the 16GB iPad starting at $499.
There's also the new Amazon Kindle Fire HDX @ $229.
7" @ 323 ppi, Quad-Core 2.2 GHz, 17 hour batt reading, 303 grams.
"Mayday" button for help.
https://www.google.com/#q=+Amazon+Kindle+Fire+HDX+7%22