Tablets are being used by anyone and everyone regardless of age, technology experience or lifestyle. That said, if you are a senior or are looking to purchase a tablet for a senior, there are some features that you want to focus on – including a good, clear, and responsive screen that makes it easy to do everything that wants to be done on a tablet. Many seniors enjoy reading e-books, solving crossword puzzles, and catching up on TV and movies on tablets. Many seniors also enjoy being able to chat with grandkids using the software apps available on many of the tablets. Among the many tablets on the market, Windows Tablets are a great choice to consider.
For anyone who has used a computer that has the Windows operating system, these Windows tablets are easy to pick up and begin using without any kind of training. That is because they all have Windows 8 installed on them. Going into the apps are just like going into the software programs on a computer. The only difference that may take some getting used to is touching the screen instead of using a mouse and keyboard – though some of the tablets have the capability of adding a keyboard to turn it into a laptop, too.
Model #: K3 Lynx
Screen size: 11.6 inches
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Touchscreen: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Camera: 2MP front facing webcam
Battery life: 8 hours
Why it should be considered: This folds up more like a computer than a tablet, which offers a keyboard. For seniors who don’t like the idea of typing on a screen, this is going to offer the ability to type and stay connected.
Model #:ME400C-C2-BK
Screen size: 10.1 inches
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Touchscreen: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Camera: 8 MP rear camera and 2 MP front camera
Battery life: 8.5 hours
Why it should be considered: This is a tablet that weighs just over 1 pound and has a lot of performance. Microsoft Office is included and two cameras make it easy to take pictures and chat with video apps like Skype.
Model #: 9UR-00001
Screen size: 10.6 inches
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Touchscreen: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Camera: Front and rear facing HD cameras
Battery life: 8 hours
Why it should be considered: The tablet has a significant amount of RAM which offers a lot of performance when it comes to watching movies and shows. There’s also a stand to make it easy to watch movies without holding the tablet in your hands.
Model #: PTBL9C
Screen size: 9 inches
Memory: 512 GB RAM
Touchscreen: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Camera: 2MP rear facing and .3 MP front facing
Battery life: 8 hours
Why it should be considered: With four processors and a graphic accelerator, the tablet is capable of anything, including watching movies, playing games, and Skyping. It’s also affordably priced.
Model #: W510-1837
Screen size: 10.1 inches
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Touchscreen: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Camera: 8 MP rear camera, 2 MP front camera
Battery life: 9 hours
Why it should be considered: There are many ways to use this tablet including on the go as well as snapping it into the keyboard dock to use it just like a traditional laptop. Both cameras have a high resolution for great photo and video taking functions.
Model #: XPS10-2727BLK
Screen size: 10.1 inches
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Touchscreen: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Camera: front and rear facing HD cameras
Battery life: 8 hours
Why it should be considered: This tablet allows you to dock to a mobile keyboard, enjoy Office Home and be able to enjoy audio-visual experiences to a higher level – including Skype, movies, and music.
Model #: FB356UT#ABA
Screen size: 9.7 inches
Memory: 1 GB RAM
Touchscreen: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Camera: Front and rear facing cameras
Battery life: 8 hours
Why it should be considered: This tablet allows you to work in a way that you are familiar with. Multitasking is easy and you can connect to the Internet quickly. The design is made to avoid complications.
Model #: XE500T1C-HA2US
Screen size: 11.6 inches
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Touchscreen: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Camera: Integrated webcam
Battery life: 14.5 hours
Why it should be considered: This tablet is convertible into an ultrabook with a keyboard. It also has an extra-long battery life to make sure you have the ability to have entertainment wherever you go without finding a charger.
Model #: Galaxy Tab 3
Screen size: 7 inches
Memory: 1 GB RAM
Touchscreen: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Camera: 3 MP rear facing, 1.3 MP front facing
Battery life: 8 hours
Why it should be considered: The tablet is easy to use and provides over $300 in free content. There’s the ability to use the tablet for photos, videos, music, and access a variety of unique apps for everything from playing games to chatting on video.
Model #: LAT10e-2633BK
Screen size: 10.1 inches
Memory: 2 GB SDRAM
Touchscreen: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Camera: Front and rear facing cameras
Battery life: 8 hours
Why it should be considered: This Dell tablet features a solid-state drive to offer a significant amount of performance. It’s a sturdy tablet to offer fun on the go and stay connected with anyone you want.
Choosing the Right Tablet
In the end, comparisons have to be made. With so many different manufacturers to choose from, it can be an overwhelming process to locate a tablet that is right for you or the senior you are buying for. Remember that it will all greatly depend upon what you will be doing on the tablet. You may want to focus on having a large screen to be able to see all of your favorite movies. Or you may want a tablet that is going to give you a really long battery life so you don’t have to worry about remembering to charge it each and every day.
- Screensize – To make accurate comparisons and choose a tablet that you will enjoy, you will want to consider the screen size first and foremost. The screens can vary from 7 inches to 12 inches. 5 inches may not seem like a lot, but when you are talking about watching movies, surfing the Internet, and chatting with people, that 5 inches can make a dramatic difference. Figure out what size screen you feel the most comfortable with holding and then narrow down your options from there.
- Camera – In addition to screen size, you will want to look at the cameras. Front facing cameras, also known as webcams, are designed for being able to take self-portraits and to be able to chat with people on programs like Skype. The rear-facing cameras are designed to take pictures of everything and everyone else in your life.
- Cost – The tablet you buy can cost anywhere from $100 to $800. It doesn’t matter how much you spend as long as you are happy with the purchase. Look at what you are getting for the money and make sure it is providing you with everything you want. Even if you think there is a chance of you wanting a feature, it’s better to get a tablet that has more than what you plan on using rather than less. This will allow you to grow into the tablet and begin to take advantage of the other features as you grow more comfortable with it.
No matter what tablet you decide on, you will have access to a large library of apps – and many of these apps can be downloaded absolutely free. The apps will help you do even more with your tablet. You can download apps to play games, do work, stay connected with social media and even turn your tablet into such things as a telescope, a flashlight, an e-reader and much more.
What will you do with the tablet?
When you find the right tablet, you won’t need anything else. But before you commit to buying one, make sure you think about your interests and make sure the tablet you invest in has the features that you will be most happy with. For instance, if you enjoy taking photos or videos of nature, the grandkids, or anything else, look for one that has great camera and video quality and functionality; this way there’s no need to cart a camera, a video camera, and a tablet with you. Likewise if you are one to want access to the latest games and apps – find a tablet that has great internet connectivity and access to a app store that has what you need.
The Benefit of Windows 8…
Tablets featuring Windows 8 as the operating system have received high reviews by seniors because of the ease of access. If you know how to use a computer with Windows installed on it, there will be absolutely no learning curve. If it takes a while to adjust to new technology, there is nothing to worry about these simply because it is just like a computer – only smaller and more handheld.
Plenty of tablets are out there for seniors – you simply have to go through all of the options and make the best choice that fits your needs.