Technology can bring you closer to your loved ones. Even if you are miles apart. And whether you are looking to buy a tablet for yourself or someone else, go through this guide and find the ideal solution for your specific needs.
You don’t have to feel left out because of any physical challenges, like poor vision or hearing or arthritis, or even lack of technological knowledge. Not all of us are tech geniuses. But we can still enjoy technology at its best to connect and communicate.
There are tons of tablets out there. And you can customize them to your needs.
You can enjoy the laughter of your grandkids or an evening get-together with your families – straight from your tablet!
Today we will talk about the five tablets that impressed our editorial team and a few more that could have done it better. And we will help you choose the one that works best for your particular needs. So let’s get started!
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When choosing a tablet, think about your needs. Are you buying it for yourself or your parents?
Are you looking at a particular accessibility feature?
And if you are looking to buy something less costly than others yet better in quality. Or maybe the tablet you want should be easier to operate and handle. Make up your mind about your needs.
When buying a new tablet, you should be aware of basic terminologies to make the best decision. We will talk about the most important ones here.
Tablet Memory / RAM
The higher the memory, the easier it is to use the tablet. In 2021, good tablets will have RAM of 8GB or more. But for most general use, 4GB of RAM is sufficient. But if you’re buying the tablet for a gamer grandma, the RAM must be higher.
Tablet Storage Memory is the ability to store pictures and videos. Higher memory can store more stuff into them. But most brands provide a cloud-storage system, making storage memory insignificant.
Battery Life
The higher the battery life, the less you need to plug the charger into your device. Some brands provide more battery life than others. And depending on your needs, you might need a solid battery pack fitted in your tablet.
Screen size
Tablets vary in size. Some are as small as a large smartphone. While others are as big as a small laptop.
And while bigger screen tablets are great to look at, they offer less battery life compared to their smaller versions.
Large tablets also weigh more.
If you think you can handle a pound of weight, you should go with a large tablet such as Apple iPad Pro or Samsung Galaxy S7 Plus.
Brand / Operating System
“Operating system” is the software that makes your tablet work. There are two major operating systems in the market. Android and iOs.
Most tablets run on Android, while Apple runs solely on iOs.
IOS is easy to look at, offers a minimal design, and is easier to use (according to many users) but comes at a steep price.
Major Tablet brands are Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, Amazon, and Microsoft.
Basis of our verdict
With the help of this guide, you can choose the perfect tablet for a senior. The tablet must be robust, have a decent battery backup, and should be easy to use and function.
The most loved tablet for a reason. There are several models to choose from. The more expensive iPads have higher storage, better display quality (retina display), and more features compared to their entry-level tablet.
The Apple iPad Mini, however, is a popular choice for the elderly. It is small enough to fit in your hands, big enough to enjoy family pictures and video calls. It is easy to hold and carry. And has 10 hours of battery life alongside a decent camera for selfies.
With the iPad comes Facetime. Everyone loves to Facetime their relatives and friends in their free time.
You can install and play games from the AppStore as well.
And with Apple’s iCloud, you can store pictures, audio, and videos to your account without worrying about storage. Apple one subscriptions cost around $15 per month. You can purchase an Apple iPad Mini for $699 on Amazon.
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Cons:
Advertised as a tablet for seniors, GrandPad has won the hearts of many. It has just enough features a grandparent will ever need and still provide a very easy-to-use interface.
With a battery backup of one to three days, depending on the usage, this device is robust, sturdy and the rubbery surface makes it very easy to hold and carry.
The display allows people with dry fingers to touch and interact easily.
The Camera (8MP/5MP) is enough for clear picture communication, as long as you have access to good wi-fi. The tablet includes its own cellular plan that you need to subscribe to.
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Cons:
This one is neither an Android nor iOS. Developed on Windows Operating System, Surface Pro is a great tablet to buy.
It’s a tablet with a familiar look and feels for many seniors who used Windows as software on their computers
Surface Go is an affordable device by Microsoft.
You can even doodle on its screen with a Surface Pen.
The display on this tablet does not pose any eye strain for aging eyes, and the excellent speakers make watching videos a pleasure.
The built-in webcams can use Windows Hello facial recognition to log into Windows, making it easier for seniors to avoid typing passwords repeatedly.
The battery backup is decent as well. You can own a Microsoft Surface Go for $475.
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Con:
Considered the best android tablet for seniors by many. The device is solid and sturdy and has a fantastic camera quality.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A is a great budget device with a smaller screen size (8”).
The device is super affordable, and you can own one for only $164.
You will also get a free year of YouTube Red (only available in the US).
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What if you buy a cheap tablet, let’s say a Venturer’s 7-inch Voyager for $50, and convert it into a usable and excellent tablet for yourself or your grandparent?
Yes, you can do that!
There are many apps available on PlayStore that can make the tablet easy to use and a great communication tool for the elderly. Isn’t that the biggest reason for buying the tablet in the first place?
We have curated a list of 12 amazing innovative applications (#22) that are easy to install, set up, and use. And they can make the tablet using experience a breeze for any senior citizen.
One of such apps is Bthere. It was created to connect older people with their children and grandchildren through a device (mobile phone or tablet).
But it is more than just a video calling app.
With automatic and innovative AI-powered features, such as auto-answering and easy group communication, Bthere makes an excellent addition to your elderly’s device.
Avoid suspicious manufacturers at all costs. Most made-in-china devices come with problems that amplify over time (within a month in most cases). And the quality is often so poor, you’d probably stash them behind your storage room.
Don’t fall for cheap rip-offs with promises of great quality. Always buy from a branded manufacturer.
Make sure to include the user (senior) as much as possible when setting up the tablet. Here are some pointers to consider:
The answer is subjective. But for most seniors, GrandPad is the easiest tablet to use. However, you can convert any tablet into an easy-to-use device. Possibly simpler than the GrandPad.
Amazon Fire is a great tablet for seniors. But there are better and cheaper options available.
iPads are great for seniors. However, comes at a hefty price. iPads are minimal in design and are fairly easy to use.
Kindles are good to read books. Other than that, it is not a regular tablet and cannot be used as one.
GrandPad offers tablets for rent. For around $50 a month, you can enjoy a GrandPad tablet that offers a built-in 4G connectivity alongside some preloaded apps and games.
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