Anyone got an elderly relative using a tablet? Low or high resolution?

NeilF

NeilF

NeilF

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My mother has shown an interesting in getting a tablet.

Her eye sight is reasonable, but she wears glasses etc.

My thinking is:-
a) To get her a 10" unit to make things as large as possible.
b) How important is a high resolution over a lower one.

I'm wondering if anyone out there has experiece with a lower resolution tablet (eg: 1024x768 = IPad2) or a higher more modern resolution, and how if the increase helps the readability on websites etc?
 
the accessiblity options on the ipads are very hand as you can change the font format and size, set zoom features and so forth.
 
slinxy said:
the accessiblity options on the ipads are very hand as you can change the font format and size, set zoom features and so forth.
Click to expand...

An IPad4 would be the absolutely max budget... Approaching £280!

I'm wondering if something like a Lenovo Multimode Yoga Tablet 10.1-inch with a 1280x800 resolution (for <£200) would be adequate for my mother.

Note: An Ipad 2 has a resolution of 1024x768, and that OK'ish!


If the better resolutions would really help, then it would be an IPad4 or Galaxy 4 Pro I guess for around £280!
 
My better half has problems with some of the pinch zoom features on her tablet due to her painful arthritis. But overall; it was a good buy for her.
 
NeilFawcett said:
a) To get her a 10" unit to make things as large as possible.
b) How important is a high resolution over a lower one.

I'm wondering if anyone out there has experiece with a lower resolution tablet (eg: 1024x768 = IPad2) or a higher more modern resolution, and how if the increase helps the readability on websites etc?
Click to expand...

Don't forget that a higher resolution actually makes things smaller. Unless you are dealing with HDPI (Apple call these Retina) displays then increasing resolution can make things worse.

Now an iPad Air (or any other iPad with a retina screen) has an equivalent point resolution of 1024x768 but many many more pixels thus making the text and such cleaner, sharper and easier to read.

I'd go for a retina equipped iPad (a refurb if the price is too high) over the older iPad 2 any day of the week.

slinxy said:
the accessibility options on the ipads are very hand as you can change the font format and size, set zoom features and so forth.
Click to expand...

Yeah, pretty much the best accessibility options are on iOS.

I'd say, if you can get one for the budget you have an iPad with Retina display is the best option. Now Android L might change this but only time will tell.
 
LordSplodge said:
Don't forget that a higher resolution actually makes things smaller. Unless you are dealing with HDPI (Apple call these Retina) displays then increasing resolution can make things worse.

Now an iPad Air (or any other iPad with a retina screen) has an equivalent point resolution of 1024x768 but many many more pixels thus making the text and such cleaner, sharper and easier to read.

I'd go for a retina equipped iPad (a refurb if the price is too high) over the older iPad 2 any day of the week.
Click to expand...
Interesting! Well the IPad 2 has a resolution of 1024x768, and this is what I'm familiar with. So your IPad Air (or an IPad 3 or 4) would display things at exactly the same size/proportion as an IPad 2, but with basically 4x the pixels making each pixel up? So more clarity?
 
I probably have the worst eyesight on OcUK (can anyone beat a -27 lens prescription, sight in one eye only?), and I get on fine with a Sammy Tab 3 10.1. Resolution is something weird like 1280x800. Text in most apps can be pinched. Try different browsers as well when accessing the web as they'll have their own options, see which one you get on best with. eBooks e.g. Kindle can be pinched as well, but for someone with my level of visual impairment, I prefer to listen to books as audio books (MP3s) which can be stored on the tablet or phone.
 
Pawnless Endgame said:
I probably have the worst eyesight on OcUK (can anyone beat a -27 lens prescription, sight in one eye only?), and I get on fine with a Sammy Tab 3 10.1. Resolution is something weird like 1280x800. Text in most apps can be pinched. Try different browsers as well when accessing the web as they'll have their own options, see which one you get on best with. eBooks e.g. Kindle can be pinched as well, but for someone with my level of visual impairment, I prefer to listen to books as audio books (MP3s) which can be stored on the tablet or phone.
Click to expand...

Tempting... If my mum could get on OK with 1280x800, then I could get a Galaxy Tab 4 just over £200. Or the Lenovo Multimode Yoga Tablet 10.1-inch for <£200.
 
I would also say "iPad", even though I'm very much not an great Apple Fan (just doesn't gel with me), my Mum has really taken to the simplicity and accessibility options of her iPad, in contrast my Dad went for Android, but really doesn't get on well with it, his tablet is not loud enough, he struggles with closing tabs in the browser, something he doesn't have an issue with on my mums iPad.

Then there is the whole eco-system, there is less to tinker with, and less ways of organising things, all boil down to being great for older people who aren't tech savvy.
 
Bought , myself a sammy tab pro 10.1 on deal at a certain place that tries to sell mcafee with all their products whilst storing your credit card details on an xp machine.

Cost 210 and its pretty good, these forums are probably the worst for small text size and text on default is about the same as a fine print novel. Its a 2560*1600 screen so nice and sharp with plenty of brightness.

I am only very slightly short sighted though but i'd say its defo no harder to use than a pc and thats without zooming or using bigger font size.
 
My parents are far from tech savvy (nearly 70) and they are getting on well with Android. The great thing is that I can install apps for them remotely if they need anything by logging in to their Google accounts. My mother has really bad eyesight and uses a Galaxy Ace 2 (I want to upgrade it for her but she loves it) and also a Galaxy Tab 10. The only issue they have had with Android was getting used to pulling down the notification bar, but that was a few year ago now.

They have a Chromecast and Netflix and love that they can cast the content over.
 
Demon said:
I would also say "iPad", even though I'm very much not an great Apple Fan (just doesn't gel with me), my Mum has really taken to the simplicity and accessibility options of her iPad, in contrast my Dad went for Android, but really doesn't get on well with it, his tablet is not loud enough, he struggles with closing tabs in the browser, something he doesn't have an issue with on my mums iPad.

Then there is the whole eco-system, there is less to tinker with, and less ways of organising things, all boil down to being great for older people who aren't tech savvy.
Click to expand...

Having played with IPads and Androids, it does incline me more towards IPads unfortunately.
 
My mum who is technologically inept actually gets on quite well with her iPad Air. That would be my choice again. You will spend far less time explaining things to them than on say an Android device.
 
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