I want to get something for my aging parents to access the web for checking out photos, watching YouTube, reading email.

I think the iPad can do all those things. Pity it doesn't have a built in camera for Skype (maybe it's possible to connect one?)

The attractive aspect is that it's basically plug and play technology.
No OS upgrade patches to install etc.
Maybe the touch screen is also better for older people not familiar with
mouse and keyboard. The "pinch" and "squeeze" gestures are pretty intuitive.

Anyone have any experience with seeing senior citizens using the iPad?

Well I'm not at "senior citizen" status (yet) shouldn't be a problem getting there though, after all it only needs for any of us is to keep breathing!

Any way I'm not a great fan of touch screens, but they are better than [insert expletive] mouse pads

Yea if your parents are not use to touch screens it may be harder for them to get the hang of it, plus within the year their will probably be a better ipad on the market.

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Well I'm not at "senior citizen" status (yet) shouldn't be a problem getting there though, after all it only needs for any of us is to keep breathing!

Any way I'm not a great fan of touch screens, but they are better than [insert expletive] mouse pads

I have only used a mouse pad like 10 times, i use magazines for mouse pads now, i noticed the matte magazine paper works great.

I might be wrong but I think Chris is talking about the touch pad you use with laptops and netbooks to control the cursor.
And yeah, it is a pain to any serious work.
Trumped only by the useless little red thingy in the middle of IBM thinkpads.
What genius thought of that?

You can wait for the HP Slate or whatever its called. Same thing, but runs windows, and has camera for Skype and what not. Everything a normal computer has.

Originally Posted by Knight13

i use magazines for mouse pads now, i noticed the matte magazine paper works great.

Plain piece of A4 photocopy/printer paper, masking taped to the keyboard pull out, it also stops the ghraphics tablet moving about as well. PLUS you are never short of somehere to write notes on.

Originally Posted by TWD

I might be wrong but I think Chris is talking about the touch pad you use with laptops and netbooks to control the cursor.
And yeah, it is a pain to any serious work.
Trumped only by the useless little red thingy in the middle of IBM thinkpads.
What genius thought of that?

Nope, you're absolutely right on both counts!

Yet a friend who is a graphic designer use one of these, the biggest touch pad he could find.

Well i think for some yes but sooner or later they will adopt on the usage.

i have played ipad once ,found it is very good for reading books and gaming ,especially racing,due to it weight sensor. the big screen ipad is amazing

Actually it depends, I suggest that you assess your parents if they are comfortable in using an iPad because if not then the iPad would just be left stored in the box.