Actually, you can buy an iPad as a gift for several occasions. But since Mother’s day is coming up, let’s focus on getting a tablet for Mum.

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Why a tablet?

When the iPad debuted in 2010, many scoffed. Why buy a laptop with no keyboard, no ability to multitask, and no USB ports? This objection was probably related to the rise of netbooks, which were miniature low-powered laptops. People were buying these in droves. The low-price and portability were surely the biggest drivers, but there was also the idea that these devices would be simpler to use.

Unfortunately, few companies took advantage of this customer desire to create a netbook that was anything but a slower laptop. Instead of tailoring a lightweight operating system that appealed to people who ‘didn’t want all that fuss’, they just made smaller versions of devices that were already too bloated and hard to use. Only now they were slower, cheaply made and harder to see and type on. Netbook? More like Craptop.

So when Apple debuted their tablet in 2010, what most people missed is that Apple had created a device that delivered almost everything that netbooks didn’t, while focusing on the true reason why people bought them. People didn’t buy netbooks to create content – they bought them to consume content. The iPad could do that much better than a laptop, on a super portable device with a lot of battery and a minimalist approach. Also, software was safe, cheap and basic to install.

Why mum?

Tablets are suitable for many people, but mums are a particularly good match. Without wanting to perpetuate any silly stereotypes, there’s a case to be made that many people over 50 are going to be a bit flustered by computers. But whereas the men in that age group might happily buy a powerful device and then try to work out how to use it, women may just not bother with it. But women in that age group may be much keener to use their device for communicating- sending emails, making video calls and chatting with friends. And these are the types of things a tablet can do far better than a mini-laptop can do.

Why iPad?

There’s a perception that iPads carry an ‘Apple Tax’ – an extra bump in price for the brand name. With tablets, that perception doesn’t carry- iPads are the same price or cheaper than tablets with the same features. There are lower-powered tablets that are a bit cheaper, but they’re cheaper for all the reasons that make getting a device like this not worth the effort. They’re cheaply made, and with less focus on usability.

Android tablets are often touted as being more powerful, which again misses the point entirely. For something to be good value, it must first be good – and most Android tablets are made to be cheap and powerful, not good. In this context, ‘good’ would be characterized by the same factors that made the iPad good in the first place- Works well. Safe, well made software at a reasonable price, that’s easy to install. Apple’s App Store and iBooks bookstore have this all over the Android Market. And the BlackBerry PlayBook is a frustrating experience, even for power users.

Wi-Fi or 3G? Outright or Plan?

The iPad (and most other tablets) come in two flavours for connectivity. The Wi-Fi only iPad is a bit cheaper, and will only connect to local wireless networks. So that might be your home modem, or a Wi-Fi network set up in a public place (cafes, McDonalds, hotels, etc).

Wi-Fi + 3G will do this, and also allow you to put a SIM card into the top of the unit that connects back to a mobile broadband network. When in range of a Wi-Fi network it will revert to Wi-Fi. The advantage with 3G is not only that it allows for connectivity in more places. Because a 3G tablet requires a monthly service, the cost of it can be included as part of your monthly plan, on a 24 month contract. Without this, iPads and other tablets can be up to $800. Of course, just like with a mobile phone, the overall price of a tablet bought on a plan will be vastly more expensive; but easier to swallow when paid off in monthly installments.

It’s worth wondering when and how your Mum is going to use their tablet, and of course, the cost to you. Consider also that many retailers like JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman may be able to arrange for you to buy a tablet on Finance. Here’s a comparison:

iPad Wi-Fi 16GB outright -                                                                             $537
iPad Wi-Fi 16GB with finance at 20%, over two years - $32 a month                ($752 total)
iPad Wi-Fi + 3G 16GB outright -                                                                     $675
iPad Wi-Fi + 3G 16GB outright, on finance at 20% over two years - $40/month ($960 total)
iPad Wi-Fi + 3G 16GB on Optus 5GB plan - $53/month on 24 month contract ($1272 total)

Call Optus on 1300 137 897 for more details on iPad plans

Of course, there’s the actual 3G service to consider as well. But think about your Mum – is she the type to actually pull it out and use it while out and about? If so, then buying it on a plan is not a bad option. If not, you’re far better off buying a Wi-Fi only model, even on finance.

I’ve got one. Now what?

Good idea to set Mum up with a few things.

1.    Apple ID. This will allow her to make Facetime Calls, buy apps, use iMessage and much more.
2.    Email. Set this up for her. If she doesn’t already have a Gmail/Yahoo/Hotmail or other web-based email address, get that organized too.
3.    Skype. It’s free, and allows your mum to make Skype calls to people who don’t have an iDevice.
4.    iBooks – Apple’s book reading/buying app doesn’t come pre-loaded, due to certain competition laws. But it’s free. Take care of this before handing it over to Mum.
5.    Zinio. Free. iBooks now carries magazines, but Zinio’s offerings are still a bit broader.
6.    Bank apps. These are free. Westpac, CBA, NAB, St George- everyone has one.
7.    Facebook and Twitter – if she uses them. Free, of course. Another great thing about the App Store- most of the best apps are just free versions of services otherwise offered through a browser. But because of the way apps are developed, they’re far cleaner and easy to use.
8.    Angry Birds- Why not? A billion downloads can’t be wrong. Get the free version though – Mum might not be as interested in killing that many pigs.

Bargain Bin

The new iPad, which is officially just called the iPad, doesn’t offer much for most users that the iPad 2 doesn’t also deliver. The main upgrade with the latest model is the outstanding new screen. But the iPad 2 screen is still better than almost everyone else’s. An iPad 2 can be picked up for as low as $426 – making it one of the cheapest full-sized tablets out there.

Apple’s greatest asset isn’t the iPad itself, but the App Store. That said. Android’s store is only a bit more fiddly, and otherwise offers most of the same content. The advantage of getting an Android powered tablet is mostly about size – 9.7 inch Android tablets are the same price or dearer than the iPad.

But since Apple only puts out tablets of the one size, there are no options for more petite tablets in the 7 inch range. Here’s a few Android tablets to consider:

Dodo Pendo Pad – 7 inch Android tablet - $29.90/month with 5GB data, 2 year contract (total $717.60). Call Dodo on 1300 136 793.

An entry level tablet, but probably the cheapest available with a data plan. Not sure if anyone sells the Pendo pad in retail stores – which suggests it’s not the flashest piece of kit. But if Mum’s just gonna read books and browse the internet, should be fine.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7” 16GB Wi-Fi only – usually around $550 at most retail stores. Samsung rules the Android tablet market the same way they rule the Android phone market- their tablets are well made and run the latest hardware. But again, it’s worth noticing that the only advantage here for most users is that the tablet is smaller; otherwise, it’s more expensive than the iPad 2.

Conclusion

Objectivity be damned – the iPad is the best tablet out there for almost every user, but especially for Mums. The combination of relatively low-price and high-quality apps on the cheap, not to mention the overall ease-of-use, make it a gift that will keep on giving. Treat your Mum!