Need Some Help Looking for a Tablet for My Mum

LEccend on 05/02/2019 - 21:05
Last edited 06/02/2019 - 13:17

Recently, my mum has been complaining her phone screen is a bit small and hard to see (Samsung Galaxy S5). So my dad is planning on buying her a tablet so she can watch videos on a larger screen.

I don't own a tablet so I'm not exactly sure what's good value for money, so I'm hoping my fellow OzBargainers can give me some suggestions on what I can get her.

So we were hoping to buy one within the price range of about $500 - $600, with anymore probably being out of range for our budget.

The main plans of use for the device is to watch YouTube and also use it to occasionally to browse the internet. Our TV unfortunately is not that great so does not share any device connectivity options so we can do a screen mirror kind of option.

Also we were looking at a tablet, not only because of the bigger screen, but it's also capable of being used anywhere around the house, such as when she is in bed or in the kitchen. Another reason was that it also has a touch screen, which is convenient for my mum because she struggles with typing using a keyboard or doing any inputs using a remote control.

Lastly, the tablet mirrors a lot like how a smart phone works (except for the calling, texting, etc.) so my mum wouldn't have any troubles adjusting to using it.

edit1: added budget/price range, more explanation on use

Computing Tablet

Comments

  • raytriplej on 05/02/2019 - 21:17
    +2

    I bought my mum a cellular ipad for her 80th. She is 86 now and I cannot understate the positive it has been for her.

    Ceullular as they don't have home internet and I had a spare telstra data share sim.

    The recent cellular ipad/10GB per Mth for $30 deal from Telstra link below:

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/434215

    • Randxyz123 on 05/02/2019 - 21:35

      +1 to that deal. Looks good to me unless they want to have movies stored on it for travel in which case maybe keep an eye on gumtree for a larger storage model.

      OP, what are their uses for the tablet?

      You do realise this won't replace her mobile phone?

      • Eccend on 05/02/2019 - 22:46

        My mum will mainly use it to view YouTube mostly, and the occasional browsing of the internet.

        Yup, the plan is that this will be used mainly at home as more of a viewing device rather than any sort of communication device.

      • raytriplej on 06/02/2019 - 01:23

        There is a 128GB deal for $5/month more if you look hard enough on the Telstra website.

        "YouTube mostly, and the occasional browsing of the internet" - we thought the same for my mum, now she is doing grocery shopping online, borrowing ebooks from the library, internet banking, emailing all her friends. Not bad for her age.

    • Eccend on 05/02/2019 - 22:44

      Thanks for the reply!

      My mum might not need the cellular data option, as it will mainly just be used at home where she has access to the internet, but I'll definitely look into it!

  • DemocracyManifest on 06/02/2019 - 01:29

    A rooted kindle tablet is cheap as chips off eBay but a iPad is a no brainer

    • raytriplej on 06/02/2019 - 01:36

      I hadn't thought of the kindle, I have a spare one lying around here…..thanks

  • [Deactivated] on 06/02/2019 - 02:03

    Need Some Help Looking for a Tablet for My Mum

    Just go to the chemist with her prescription to replace tablet.

    • altomic on 06/02/2019 - 09:10

      Suppository?

  • altomic on 06/02/2019 - 09:19

    Do you have a budget?

    You've said repeatedly that is for home viewing.

    She has a Samsung S5, why not a pre-owned Samsung Galaxy tab. EBay for~$100.

    They have good battery life. And a brand you mum is familiar with. And would be fine for watching YouTube, movies, browsing etc.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/02/2019 - 11:57

    Need Some Help Looking for a Tablet for My Mum

    What did her GP recommend ?

  • [Deactivated] on 06/02/2019 - 12:10

    planning on buying her a tablet so she can watch videos on a larger screen

    Personally, I would just watch on 'larger screen' of actual TV.
    Check if current tv has "screen mirror" option. I screen mirrored all time on my s5 and works great (s5 screen mirror worked better than my s7) . It's a very simple process, especially after you have connected the phone first time to TV. It works via wifi. You basically just click an option/icon on phone, and about 5 seconds later, everything that shows on phone is now showing on tv also (including sound).

    Other option, youtube app on tv. I watch lots of content that others would watch on phone/tablet, I watch on large screen tv. Especially with android tv (or just android box connected to any tv). Most of the popular phone video apps, will have a version to install on android TV. Eg. I have, Wwe network, 9now, 7plus, NBC news, TenPlay, youtube, and others, all installed as android apps on android tv.
    Apple Tv might work well for your needs also, and can be had cheaply (for not the latest model) . I'm not an apple fan, so haven't tried apple Tv, but have seen them very cheap.

    If really set on tablet, don't waste money on the latest high end specs tablet . If just used for basic stuff like web browsing and watching videos, that stuff uses very little computing power and RAM etc. So you don't need the high specs super expensive model.
    Probably even an original ipad 1 would suffice for her needs. I have 2 of them, only cost me $50 or so each. Many apps won't run due to OS not being updated, but fine for web browsing and watching videos, or ebaying .

    Keep in mind, apple is highly restrictive. So if ever wanted to watch a downloaded movie, apple would probably try to stop you in my experience. My apple experience is from many years ago though. On an android tablet, you could download a bunch of movies/content directly through tablet, then watch them on long flight. Apple would definitely stop torrent app being allowed on your device, and maybe would even stop you from playing the content if you downloaded on computer then tried to move it over.

    You should add a budget, price range to help with specific suggestions and links.

    • Eccend on 06/02/2019 - 13:08
      +1

      Thanks for the advice!

      Sorry it's my first post on the forums, so I putting a budget and price range completely escaped my mind.

      Will try to put a budget and price range in!

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