What tablet should I get?

I want to get my parents a tablet for Christmas. With all the options out there I am just overwhelmed about what should I be getting them.

Harry, Lambton

Hi Harry,

I was in this exact situation last year. There are a lot of options out there and picking the right one can be difficult.

You have 2 major decisions to make. Android vs Apple and if they need 3G or not.

The easiest decision first, do they need 3G. In my parents case they are approaching retirement age so they are starting to do a bit more travelling. They needed a device that they could take with them around Australia and have internet access so they can keep in touch as well as book tours as they travel.

If your parents already have internet access at home and don’t plan to travel with it then you can go without. If they don’t have internet access or want to travel with it then 3G is probably a must.

In my case they have internet at home so use the Wi-Fi however when travelling they use their tablet with a Telstra pre-paid 3G sim.

The next decision is whether to get an Android or Apple tablet. Before Apple released their mini range of tablets it used to be that you would get an Android device if you wanted something a little bit smaller. It now comes down to ease of use. We find that the Apple products, especially for those who haven’t grown up in the digital generation are easier to use compared to Android devices.

Generally we recommend going into a shop such as JB Hi-Fi and have a play with the devices they have on offer. They will be able to show you a range of Apple and Android devices and help you make the right decision. In my case we ended up getting them an iPad 2. IPad 2’s, even though they are a few years old, are a great price and most retailers still have them in stock.