Tablet recomendation

[JOhnH]

My brother's girlfriend (60ish) wants a tablet and he asked me advice on what to get her for her birthday. All I know is Apple due to FF.

He said he would like to keep it around $300. That pretty much eliminates anything new from Apple, and I don't think he considered a data plan.

He lives in the Atlanta area (Lawrenceville).

I have asked him what she wants to do with it, but he wants it to be a surprise so he doesn't want to ask her and he knows NOTHING about tablets. He still uses an old flip phone. But she has mentioned that she wants a tablet.

I know that's not much information, but lack of info doesn't usually stop opinions here, so what is your opinion on what she should get, and what carrier should she use. I have heard that T-Mobile has a pretty good senior discount plan. Is taking her to a T-Mobile store and looking at what they have a good idea?

 

[Dana]

If she's generally using the tablet where wifi is available (e.g. at home), no data plan is necessary. In that case buying from a phone store is probably silly.

If she does need a data plan, what carrier is best depends on where she lives or travels as different carriers are better in different areas.

 

[Mahneuvers]

...lack of info doesn't usually stop opinions here...

That's funny.

If she has a Bluetooth capable phone, she can just share the phone data connection to the tablet. If she doesn't have a Bluetooth phone, maybe your brother buys her a new phone and tablet. I personally would do that before I signed up for a second data plan (or one plan only for my tablet).

 

[JOhnH]

That's funny.

If she has a Bluetooth capable phone, she can just share the phone data connection to the tablet. If she doesn't have a Bluetooth phone, maybe your brother buys her a new phone and tablet. I personally would do that before I signed up for a second data plan (or one plan only for my tablet).

Good idea. I"ll ask him about that.

 

[Bob Noel]

What type of smartphone does she have?

If she likes her smartphone, then that could help narrow the selection down.

and, as mentioned, if she has a data plan for her smartphone, then she can use that as a hotspot for the tablet , when needed

 

[genna]

What type of smartphone does she have?

If she likes her smartphone, then that could help narrow the selection down.

and, as mentioned, if she has a data plan for her smartphone, then she can use that as a hotspot for the tablet , when needed

This. If she's an Apple user(and likes it), I would stick with iPad. No reason to try to figure out Android if she doesn't have to. Reverse is also true. If she doesn't have a smartphone, perhaps this is a better present

 

[OneCharlieTango]

Depends on what she wants to use it for. She might really be asking for a $120 Kindle.

 

[GaryM]

if she has a data plan for her smartphone, then she can use that as a hotspot for the tablet , when needed

Not all data plans allow the phone to be used as a hotspot. Mine doesn't.
I could pay an upcharge to a plan with my current carrier that does allow hotspot use, so this isn't a hardware limitation. But if she has a budget plan, she may need to budget more if she wants to use the phone as a hotspot.

 

[Bob Noel]

Not all data plans allow the phone to be used as a hotspot. Mine doesn't.
I could pay an upcharge to a plan with my current carrier that does allow hotspot use, so this isn't a hardware limitation. But if she has a budget plan, she may need to budget more if she wants to use the phone as a hotspot.

true - but at least a couple of T-mobile plans allow hotspots ... including plans for 55 and up.

 

[Albany Tom]

I think it's kind of mean to give someone a gift that requires a subscription... So get a wifi tablet and a case, that runs android. At 60ish, I might suggest something with a larger screen, and not so much worry about the other features as much.

 

[Tarheelpilot]

That's funny.

If she has a Bluetooth capable phone, she can just share the phone data connection to the tablet. If she doesn't have a Bluetooth phone, maybe your brother buys her a new phone and tablet. I personally would do that before I signed up for a second data plan (or one plan only for my tablet).

funny and accurate.