[readingglasses]

Is she in any way looking for an ereader as a PC substitute?

That's impossible. If she needs computing she'll best get a computer, netbook, whatever.

And downloading books by using an ereader web browser for someone who has trouble with computers is a joke. I'm great with computers, I have a lot of trouble using the web browsers on readers.
What if she wants free books, not just to buy from the ereader's store?
Good luck searching on the web for free books using the ereader browsers.
You'll need a computer anyway. Even if it's only at work or at a library or netcafe.

There's nothing to recommend, they're all very similar, all the new ones (except the less expensive sony's) can download at least on wifi. You don't "need" 3G so you can "connect anywhere". Just go to a coffee shop, library, some department stores, restaurant, or the freely accessible computer store demo floor models at best buy or any smaller computer store. Anywhere where they offer a lower security wifi connection, do your downloading there if you want to download. 3G should not determine it for her, so she can avoid the need for a computer at home.
What should determine it for a tech-klutz, is to go to the store and see which one is easiest to use and which is most comfortable. She should just "use" them all at the stores, if she's really bad with gadgets.

The only thing about kindle is the drm and format restrictions. You still can't read epub on them (is that right, all you kindle owning kindle promoters to a poor woman who won't even know what epub is after she bought her device?). That may or may not be a problem, depending on what she gets/shops. Or what you or her friends get for her, which is what happens with people who really know nothing about computers and don't want to learn.

But for sb who isn't computer handy, the oft derided hard keyboard on the kindle is a potential advantage. As it would be on the iriver story hd at target.