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Thinking of buying an iPad for my Mom
Thundyrkatz
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Hey all, So my Moms birthday is coming up and I am considering buying her an iPad, so I am looking for some advice.
My mom is not very proficient with computers, and I am hoping that the interface with the iPad will be a lot easier for her then a laptop. Easier boot up, less menus to navigate, tap the screen and the program opens, less likely to run into a virus issue, etc...
She mostly uses the computer for email and some light websurfing, but she has expressed a desire to use an eReader, so that may be a bonus function.
For the purposes of this conversation I would like to focus on the iPad, I may consider a Kindle, Nook, Netbook, Laptop at a later time if this fails to meet my needs.
I have done some research, and the current iPad seems very nice. Does it come with any microsoft office functionality? Her friends send her things like powerpoint stuff and word documents and she would want to be able to open those.
She has wifi in the house already, and would be unlikely to take it out of a wifi area, so i don't think I would need to get her any mobile service. Though is that upgradable in the future? or is that something that need to be in from the get go.
I have never used any apple products, except for my ipod shuffle. So enlighten me! Thanks!
My mom is not very proficient with computers, and I am hoping that the interface with the iPad will be a lot easier for her then a laptop. Easier boot up, less menus to navigate, tap the screen and the program opens, less likely to run into a virus issue, etc...
She mostly uses the computer for email and some light websurfing, but she has expressed a desire to use an eReader, so that may be a bonus function.
For the purposes of this conversation I would like to focus on the iPad, I may consider a Kindle, Nook, Netbook, Laptop at a later time if this fails to meet my needs.
I have done some research, and the current iPad seems very nice. Does it come with any microsoft office functionality? Her friends send her things like powerpoint stuff and word documents and she would want to be able to open those.
She has wifi in the house already, and would be unlikely to take it out of a wifi area, so i don't think I would need to get her any mobile service. Though is that upgradable in the future? or is that something that need to be in from the get go.
I have never used any apple products, except for my ipod shuffle. So enlighten me! Thanks!
Thundyrkatz on
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She'll be able to open Powerpoints and Word files with GoodReader, though she won't be able to edit them.
You'll need to buy one with 3G functionality if you ever want that to be an option. You won't need to pay for a contract to do so.
It also makes an amazing Netflix/internet stream device, so if you're mom is in to Netflix, that's another bonus.
The primary use of my iPad is as a video playback device that I can carry around the house with me.
As far as office presentations I imagine she could do a lot of stuff with google docs. I've also found the ipad to be fine for reading ebooks but I can't compare it to the kindle as I've never used one
Theres a 3G dongle for iPad? I've never heard of it. (Doesn't mean it doesn't exist mind you, but I'd verify before buying a wifi only version)
My grandmother can't use a computer at all, she's so afraid of them she doesn't even like having one in front of her just to read off the screen. HOWEVER, the interface on the iPad is so easy that after I'd set it up to have her e-mail come to 'Mail' she was able to use e-mail on it pretty easily. Now to work on training her on Safari.
tl;dr: iPad is easy to use. Do it.