ipad or netbook
 

I want to get my wife something simple to read her email. She is not to good on a computer. It is her 60th birthday and Christmas two days apart. I already bought her a few other things but want to add to the list.

An IPAD might be easier to stuff in her pocketbook but a netbook might be more universal. But for just reading/replying to emails and storing pictures ...would an IPAD be better for her. Can she still search the web with an IPAD to read news or watch the shopping channel or would the netbook be a better option? I could get a netbook for under $300 but I see the IPAD go for close to $500. Being on a fixed income I need to watch my spending. Which is a better option? Thanks

The new Amazon Kindle Fire ($199) does almost everything an iPad does. It is basically a small netbook. You can set it up to read and send email. You can download and read books on it. Many apps available. However it only works with WiFi, no 3G available.

What is 3G?

I've had both an Netbook and an IPad 2. The i Pad2 is the winner hands down.

I have both as well.... IPad wins!

It appears that I'm in the same boat as you on this Tom. I have to get educated on this stuff.

And iPad, or any tablet for that matter, is MISERABLE for entering data. So while you can read email on an iPad with ease, reply or creating emails are a royal pain unless you get some kind of external keyboard (which usually means pairing a Bluetooth device to your iPad).

I have a Kindle Fire and while I really like it, the mail client on it is AWFUL.

Answering some other questions..

3G is a name for a certain kind of cellular data service implying certain speeds that were better than the original "dial-up quality" speeds from several years ago. It about as fast as a slow DSL connection.

If you buy an iPad, you're also going to have to get a data plan (usually around $30/mo) UNLESS you get a WiFi-only model. BUT - with WiFi-only, you don't have universal coverage - you're a slave to depending on WiFi hotspot availability.

I'm glad you brought this up Tom, because I've been wondering if my wife could use any of these devices to play Farmville on. It appears from djplon's response that neither of these devices would be acceptable.

Anyone use something like these to play on-line games?

My wife applications will consist of email, storing photos, reading NY newspapers and as a camara

I believe there is a blue tooth wireless keyboard available that your wife could use to input data and type e-mails.

Tom -

Can't help you with info re: iPad as I don't have one.

I can tell you that a netbook is nothing other than a downsized and somewhat decontented laptop computer..........which is really just a portable computer. So if she doesn't like fooling with a standard computer, laptop or desktop, she probably won't be real fond of a netbook/notebook/laptop. I bought a netbook a couple of years ago and like it for what it is. I like mine but functionally, it's the same as operating any other standard-type computer.

Bill :)

We bought one several years ago also and find it is tooooo sllllloooooooowwwww.

Netbooks are dead
 

I love the iPad, iPhone, iMac, but just bought a Gateway notebook for some software development.
The notebook has an intel i3 processor and 4 gb memory and was $329 on a black Friday BestBuy web deal.
Don't get a netbook. The whole category is dying.

True true! Part of the "decontented" concept - mine runs Windows 7 Starter which is a skinnied-down version of 7.....no internal optical (CD/DVD) drive......processing speed is definitely slower by most current standards - - - - but I only use it when we're on vacation/in TV. I just grit my teeth and keep on clickin' the keys... :D The very small size was the appeal to me when I bought it.

Bill :)

tom - unless your wife carries a large tote, the 10" ipad will not fit into her purse for convenient carrying around...the 7" tablet is better for that. and that is one reason why i went to the tablet rather than the ipad.

i bought the barnes and noble nook tablet because i do not need all of the bells and whistles of the ipad. i will not be taking pictures - so i do not need the rear camers; i woll not be doing video conferencing, so i do not need the front facting camera. i am looking to be entertained and be able to watch a streaming movie now and then, read a book frequently, check my email when i travel and play games when i am riding between nj and maine and nj and fl!

with the nook tablet i can read a book that i downloaded before i leave home or can download at a wi-fi spot on the road. i can check my email at any wi-fi spot along my travel route. i can watch that movie at our overnite spot along the road [or read my book] after my husband has gone to sleep because the lighting of the nook can be adjusted for same - and it will not interfere with a sleeping husband while i am entertained. i can read my book at any pool in the villages because of the adjustable lighting flexibility of the nook as well. and there are lots of games to buy for the nook that do not require a wi-fi connection which will keep me entertained along my travel routes! waiting for internet access until we reach a spot along our travel route does not bother me - i do not intend to be attached to this device so that we are inseparable!

my suggestion is that you head over to barnes and noble and have the nook salesperson give you an in-depth demo of that device, then head out to best buy and ask a salesperson to show you the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (16GB) tablet - a 7" device that has front/back cameras and the ability to connect to the internet without having to rely on a wi-fi spot [it's like using your cell phone sorta]. it is set up in the store to let you explore its capabilities right there - internet and all.

am not sure whether best buy sells the ipad or not, i know walmart dies - but i'm sure another poster will come along and let you know where you could do an ipad test drive there in the villages.

someone can also probable also let you know where you can try out the amazon kindle fire - that, too, is more e-reader than computer - like the nook tablet. it can only access the internet in a wi-fi spot. the one thing that the kindle fire does not offer compared to the nook is the ability to add a micro sd card that allows for the expansion of memory - that would let your wife store mor pictures on a nook than on a kindle - though, i think there is lots of storage space on either device.

there is lots of good info about the ipad, various tablets and e-readers at:
http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/
and
http://reviews.cnet.com/best-tablets...ndroid-tablets