Tablets forum: what tablet for novices in retirement village?

But wouldn't you test drive those before recommending?

Did you try the new Kindle Fire HD? It's email is very good.
Bob

The KF HD is what I'd try first. It's email is surprisingly good. The other apps are all-in.

I'm only a software developer but if I was asked this question, the KF HD gets first place.
Bob

No Visual Studio so how to match what I do on a laptop today?

We are porting apps to Android among other things. But I continue to find people thinking that today's tablets and apps are ready to replace the Apple or Windows laptop. Not yet.
Bob

I have a Nook Color which is very easy to use and I can surf the web and watch Netflix movies as well as read books. The new ones have excellent displays and will cost much less than the iPad. If you want a camera for Skyping, you will need to look elsewhere as Nook has no camera.

I'm a senior, retired, but very atypical, in that I'm a long time computer & smart phone guy. I also provide IT support for my church and I get this kind of question pretty often. Like Bob, I have a preference for Windows and Android over Apple. But if you surveyed the population you're talking about it's probably more iPhones & iPads than anything else. If that is the case, then I'd say go with Apple and let them help each other. iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini, iPod touch offer a consistent experience. Refurbs, iPad Mini, previous generation iPads are all ways to get in at a lower cost.

On the other hand, Kindle and Nook are both good tablets, too. Both offer a curated App store so there are fewer choices, and that's important for people in a retirement village. Both do Wifi and email very competently. I prefer the Nook line (Nook Color, Nook Tablet and the new Nook HD and HD+) because they are more open. Kindle has a strong preference for the Amazon ecosystem for books, movies and TV. Nook relies more on commercial apps like Netflix, Hulu, etc.

Significant differences in the latest offerings are:
- Kindle has a front facing camera; Nook has no camera
- Kindle's low priced tablets are ad supported, Nooks are ad free
- Nook tablets have a micro SD card slot for added storage, Kindles don't have a way to add storage
- Both Nook and Kindle highlight their email and calendar apps

For what it's worth,
The Other Bob

Your rationale behind Apple is sound, and I hadn't really thought of it. I have been investigating, and most people around here who have Kindles read books, period. I don't think the camera is TOO big a deal but maybe it is. I did find one woman who uses a Kindle FIre for all sorts of things, which means that if I do a presentation I should invite her to join me. So thanks, for understanding exactly what I was looking for.

A few years back everyone here was saying everyone (even grandma) should get Linux computers. I don't hear that often any more. The ability to understand that what YOU may want or enjoy isn't necessarily what EVERYONE should get perhaps come with maturity and experience.

Thanks again!