Easiest ereader for older parent to use

demingite · 11-23-2010, 01:27 PM

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting an ebook reader for my mother because of the adjustable font sizes (she has vision problems). Any opinions on which ereader is the easiest to use for the non-technically inclined?

Thanks

boswd · 11-23-2010, 01:50 PM

I would say the Kobo wi fi, set her up, show her how to buy books via Wi fi, so she won't have to hook it up to the computer. It's the the best of the "basic" ereaders. It's light and has a nice quilted back for a nice feel to it.

don't expect any bells and whistles, but if that's ok, the Kobo is a pretty nice choice in this instance.

jbcohen · 11-23-2010, 01:52 PM

My Aluratek does great at the ease of letting you at the font sizes. When you are in an ebook push the menu button, select settings then select zoom rate and there are several to chose from: 100%,150%,200%, 250, 300,350,400. 100% is the smallest. Let me be clear of what it can not do for her, it can not change the font only the font size. Sold by Borders for $100.

demingite · 11-23-2010, 03:27 PM

She doesn't have access to wifi at home, but she could bring it to my house to load it up. I'm most concerned with how easy it is to navigate, how well it bookmarks pages etc., and how easy it is to read. I have a Jetbook Lite on order, and I thought of lending it to her to see how she does with it.

pokee · 11-23-2010, 03:33 PM

I would agree with the Kobo recommendation. It's very basic functionally, is easy to change font size, and doesn't have the keyboard getting in the way to intimidate or distract certain readers.

boxcorner · 11-23-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demingite

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting an ebook reader for my mother because of the adjustable font sizes (she has vision problems). Any opinions on which ereader is the easiest to use for the non-technically inclined?

Thanks

I'm retired and have vision problems. My Sony PRS-650 has an E Ink Pearl display that I find easy to read, with no glare, with font sizes that suit me, as well as ones bigger than I need. I find the touch-screen and menu system perfectly intuitive. Bookmarking pages is easy.

Latinandgreek · 11-23-2010, 03:58 PM

If she doesn't have wi-fi, she might like a Kindle 3g, as she could load up books herself, as she wouldn't pay for the internet access. Maybe she would like a large screen, so that she could read using a very large font and still have a fair amount of text on the page? If that is the case, she might like a Kindle DX, it has a 9.7 inch screen.

polly · 11-23-2010, 06:00 PM

My elderly mother does great with a Sony 650. The menus are very easy to navigate and the touch screen is an intuitively obvious interface. I handed her mine and she was able to go into my library, find a book, and open it with no help from me. It took about ten seconds to show her how to turn the page, increase the font size, and go back to the home screen and she was set. I didn't get my reader back until she'd purchased one for herself.

Since I live far away and she wanted library books, I also helped her with a library account and got her comfortable with finding a book, checking it out, and loading it on her reader. I think that knowledge is a little more shaky, but she is able to make it work.

I would recommend a lighted cover for whichever one you get. She always uses her light when she reads because it makes it easier for her to read it.

GA Russell · 11-23-2010, 06:40 PM

demingite, is there an arthritis issue? Some old folks have problems holding the heavier devices, or pushing small buttons. These are physical issues unrelated to how intuitive the device is.

antistar · 11-23-2010, 08:08 PM

go for a touch screen! that means sony probably--which is light-weight, intuitive, library friendly, and the brand name is probably more impressive for an elder person XD

silverraven · 11-23-2010, 08:51 PM

My 84 year old mom hates touch screens, so you might want to check with yours first. She found the Jetbook lite very very intuitive to use, and she is not at all computer literate! And she loved the screen. The only problem with it was the weight. She has severe arthritis in her hands, and the JL is heavy for her.
I ended up getting her the Astak Pocket Pro. She loves it. Since she is 4 hours away I bought two SD cards, and we just mail them back and forth for me to load up for her. Unfortunately, I don't think you can get the PP any more, so I really don't know what brand to recommend. Though my sister has arthritis also, and she has to Pocketbook 360 and loves it. It is also very light weight and easy to use. That might be an option.
It's good of you to help your mom, I hope she loves her reader as much as my mom does.
S

Catlady · 11-23-2010, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demingite

She doesn't have access to wifi at home, but she could bring it to my house to load it up. I'm most concerned with how easy it is to navigate, how well it bookmarks pages etc., and how easy it is to read. I have a Jetbook Lite on order, and I thought of lending it to her to see how she does with it.

One of the nice things about the JBL is that you have three ways to turn the pages. So whether you're right handed or left handed, or whether you use portrait mode or landscape mode, it's easy to use.

I think having her try out your JBL is an excellent idea--you can see what features she likes and dislikes and go from there.

demingite · 11-24-2010, 12:07 AM

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. I will wait until she has a chance to use mine, just to see how to takes to the whole idea.

boxcorner · 11-24-2010, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polly

... I would recommend a lighted cover for whichever one you get ...

I concur. I have the Sony cover with light. I mostly read in bed, with all the other lights out. The lower light setting on the cover easily provides sufficient light for me to read by.

elemenoP · 11-24-2010, 10:01 AM

How computer literate is your mom? I would think a reader with 3G would be easier because you never have to mess with the computer. Unless you want to do all the loading for her, then go for the Sony with the touchscreen. The touchscreen is the most intuitive way to use a reader, I think. You see it, you touch it. Easy. But my mother would never be able to load books on it.

eP

11-23-2010, 01:27 PM	#1
demingite Connoisseur Posts: 70 Karma: 400000 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Mexico Device: Aluratek Libre Pro (gifted), Ectaco Jetbook Lite	Easiest ereader for older parent to use Hi, I'm thinking of getting an ebook reader for my mother because of the adjustable font sizes (she has vision problems). Any opinions on which ereader is the easiest to use for the non-technically inclined? Thanks

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11-23-2010, 01:50 PM	#2
boswd Banned Posts: 2,391 Karma: 1001781 Join Date: May 2010 Device: The Nook, Nook color and Droid X	I would say the Kobo wi fi, set her up, show her how to buy books via Wi fi, so she won't have to hook it up to the computer. It's the the best of the "basic" ereaders. It's light and has a nice quilted back for a nice feel to it. don't expect any bells and whistles, but if that's ok, the Kobo is a pretty nice choice in this instance.

11-23-2010, 01:52 PM	#3
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,030 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	My Aluratek does great at the ease of letting you at the font sizes. When you are in an ebook push the menu button, select settings then select zoom rate and there are several to chose from: 100%,150%,200%, 250, 300,350,400. 100% is the smallest. Let me be clear of what it can not do for her, it can not change the font only the font size. Sold by Borders for $100.

11-23-2010, 03:27 PM	#4
demingite Connoisseur Posts: 70 Karma: 400000 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Mexico Device: Aluratek Libre Pro (gifted), Ectaco Jetbook Lite	She doesn't have access to wifi at home, but she could bring it to my house to load it up. I'm most concerned with how easy it is to navigate, how well it bookmarks pages etc., and how easy it is to read. I have a Jetbook Lite on order, and I thought of lending it to her to see how she does with it.

11-23-2010, 03:33 PM	#5
pokee Fanatic Posts: 569 Karma: 199759 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kobo WiFi, Kobo Glo, Kobo Vox, Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Tab2	I would agree with the Kobo recommendation. It's very basic functionally, is easy to change font size, and doesn't have the keyboard getting in the way to intimidate or distract certain readers.

11-23-2010, 03:58 PM	#7
Latinandgreek Warrior Princess Posts: 5,038 Karma: 9724231 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505; PRS-350, PRS-T1, iPad, Aura HD	If she doesn't have wi-fi, she might like a Kindle 3g, as she could load up books herself, as she wouldn't pay for the internet access. Maybe she would like a large screen, so that she could read using a very large font and still have a fair amount of text on the page? If that is the case, she might like a Kindle DX, it has a 9.7 inch screen.

11-23-2010, 06:00 PM	#8
polly Evangelist Posts: 454 Karma: 270240 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Sony PRS 650, PocketBook 360, Astak PocketPro (RIP), Tungsten T3	My elderly mother does great with a Sony 650. The menus are very easy to navigate and the touch screen is an intuitively obvious interface. I handed her mine and she was able to go into my library, find a book, and open it with no help from me. It took about ten seconds to show her how to turn the page, increase the font size, and go back to the home screen and she was set. I didn't get my reader back until she'd purchased one for herself. Since I live far away and she wanted library books, I also helped her with a library account and got her comfortable with finding a book, checking it out, and loading it on her reader. I think that knowledge is a little more shaky, but she is able to make it work. I would recommend a lighted cover for whichever one you get. She always uses her light when she reads because it makes it easier for her to read it.

11-23-2010, 06:40 PM	#9
GA Russell Argos win Grey Cup! Posts: 7,678 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	demingite, is there an arthritis issue? Some old folks have problems holding the heavier devices, or pushing small buttons. These are physical issues unrelated to how intuitive the device is.

11-23-2010, 08:08 PM	#10
antistar Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 32758 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Taiwan Device: PRS-500, dr800sg, prs-950, MS SP3, Boox i86ML, Sony Z3TC, KV, Sony RP1	go for a touch screen! that means sony probably--which is light-weight, intuitive, library friendly, and the brand name is probably more impressive for an elder person XD

11-23-2010, 08:51 PM	#11
silverraven Guru Posts: 970 Karma: 3438612 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle 4NTB x 4	My 84 year old mom hates touch screens, so you might want to check with yours first. She found the Jetbook lite very very intuitive to use, and she is not at all computer literate! And she loved the screen. The only problem with it was the weight. She has severe arthritis in her hands, and the JL is heavy for her. I ended up getting her the Astak Pocket Pro. She loves it. Since she is 4 hours away I bought two SD cards, and we just mail them back and forth for me to load up for her. Unfortunately, I don't think you can get the PP any more, so I really don't know what brand to recommend. Though my sister has arthritis also, and she has to Pocketbook 360 and loves it. It is also very light weight and easy to use. That might be an option. It's good of you to help your mom, I hope she loves her reader as much as my mom does. S

11-24-2010, 12:07 AM	#13
demingite Connoisseur Posts: 70 Karma: 400000 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Mexico Device: Aluratek Libre Pro (gifted), Ectaco Jetbook Lite	Thanks for all of the great suggestions. I will wait until she has a chance to use mine, just to see how to takes to the whole idea.

11-24-2010, 10:01 AM	#15
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	How computer literate is your mom? I would think a reader with 3G would be easier because you never have to mess with the computer. Unless you want to do all the loading for her, then go for the Sony with the touchscreen. The touchscreen is the most intuitive way to use a reader, I think. You see it, you touch it. Easy. But my mother would never be able to load books on it. eP