What's the better option for seniors, a tablet or a laptop?

According to Rupert, for video calls and simple everyday use, a tablet is often easier: it's touch-screen, lightweight and has less cluttered menus than a computer. A laptop is still useful for typing longer texts or managing documents, but that's not the main need described here.

What's the best Samsung tablet for seniors?

There's no single brand or model that suits everyone: the right choice depends on each person's eyes, hands and habits. A technician can discuss this with you during a home visit and make recommendations based on your parent's actual needs.

What's the best easy-to-use laptop for seniors?

There's no single universal model. What matters is a readable screen, simple menus and good accessibility settings already turned on. It's that setup work, more than the brand, that makes a device genuinely easy to use day to day.

Which tablet for seniors can make video calls?

Most recent tablets have a front camera, microphone and speakers that are good enough for family video calls. What matters is checking these features before buying and properly setting up the app the grandkids use, ideally with some help.

How do I book a visit to set up my parent's tablet in Montreal?

You can book online or by phone, even if it's a child making the request on behalf of a parent. A Rupert technician first calls to understand the need, then travels to Montreal or elsewhere in Greater Montreal for a one-hour visit dedicated to the tablet.

All articlesOctober 2, 2026 · 4 min read

Tablet for Seniors: Choosing and Setting One Up for Video Calls

In short

To give a senior a tablet that actually works for them, choose a readable screen, a clear front camera and simple menus, then have the accessibility settings turned on and favourite contacts saved. In…

Which tablet to choose for an 80-year-old parent

The right choice isn't the most powerful model, it's the one your parent will understand right away. Here's what actually matters:

A screen big enough, with text that can be enlarged easily.
A good-quality front camera and microphone for video calls.
Clear speakers, especially if hearing has declined.
Simple menus, without too many icons or hidden settings.
Enough battery life for a full day of normal use.

There's no single brand that suits everyone. The right choice depends on your parent's hands, eyes and habits, and that's exactly what a technician can assess on site, at your home.

Accessibility settings to turn on before giving it as a gift

A brand-new tablet is rarely ready for aging eyes or ears straight out of the box. A few adjustments make a real difference:

Enlarging the text and icon size.
Increasing the screen contrast.
Turning on voice commands to avoid typing.
Adjusting the volume for calls and notifications.
Simplifying the home screen to keep only the essentials.

These adjustments take time and require knowing the device well. This is exactly the kind of setup a technician can do during a home visit, while you or your parent ask questions in real time.

Setting up the device for video calls with the grandkids

A well-chosen tablet is useless if the video calling app isn't ready to go. In order, you need to:

1. Create or recover the account needed for the calling app. 2. Test the sound and picture before the first real call. 3. Save family contacts under an easy-to-recognize name, with a photo if possible. 4. Add a clearly visible shortcut on the home screen so a call can be started with a single tap. 5. Make sure the home Wi-Fi is stable and properly connected.

An adult child can do part of this setup remotely, but the final adjustments are often easier when someone sits down with your parent, in their own living room, to practice the steps together.

Common mistakes to avoid

Giving a tablet as a gift without ever having checked the Wi-Fi connection on site.
Leaving too many apps visible, which confuses the user.
Forgetting to write the simple steps down on paper, so your parent can refer to them on their own.
Neglecting fraud prevention: explaining that they should never click on a link or message from an unknown sender received on the tablet.

An in-home visit in Greater Montreal

For a senior's tablet to be truly well set up, nothing beats an in-home visit. Before heading out, a Rupert technician calls to understand the need, then comes to your parent's home for a one-hour visit dedicated to the device, whether it's a tablet, a cellphone or a computer.

Rupert covers Greater Montreal, meaning Montreal, Laval, the South Shore and the North Shore. If the address is a bit farther out, it's still possible to book, and someone will call you back to confirm the visit.

At the end of the visit, the technician leaves notes on what was done along with a few simple tips, so you and your parent can refer back to them later without having to ask everything again.

For a parent who still lives at home, you can book an in-home visit directly online or by phone, and a child can make the booking on behalf of their parent.

The In-Residence service for senior residences

For seniors' residences, Rupert also offers on-site support for residents, on a quote basis, covering the same needs as the tablet or cellphone, in addition to helping with digital fraud prevention among residents. Interested administrations can check the areas served page to confirm coverage before making a request.