[UK] Cheapest, easiest, standalone method of making Skype video calls?

[Cute James]

Hello folks,

 

I'd like to purchase an easy to use system that allows my mother to make Skype video calls.

 

Unfortunately, my mother is not computer literate, and tends to struggle with technology.  She does not own a computer, nor is there any internet access in her home.

 

I was considering an inexpensive Android tablet (or even a second hand iPad), but how would this device get online?

Is there perhaps a wifi 'pay as you go' internet package that I could purchase and top-up as and when needed?

 

Any suggestions for an affordable, simple, standalone solution would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you!

[jakem1]

They're a bit pricey but I was considering getting my Mum one of these:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-960-000924-TV-Cam-HD/dp/B008VS899W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375166338&sr=8-1&keywords=logitech+tv+cam+hd

 

However, she ended up getting a Surface and happily uses Skype on that.

[AbandonedTrolley]

Hello folks,

 

I'd like to purchase an easy to use system that allows my mother to make Skype video calls.

 

Unfortunately, my mother is not computer literate, and tends to struggle with technology.  She does not own a computer, nor is there any internet access in her home.

 

I was considering an inexpensive Android tablet (or even a second hand iPad), but how would this device get online?

Is there perhaps a wifi 'pay as you go' internet package that I could purchase and top-up as and when needed?

 

Any suggestions for an affordable, simple, standalone solution would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you!

 

I think your solution would be a cheap tablet and a MiFi dongle with just a data PAYGO contract

[Brian M. Veteran]

Buy a used iPhone 4, and get her some kind of data allowance (or setup an internet connection for her).

[Cute James]

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

[Dashel]

Lumia 520/521 with a gocard.

[Cute James]

Thanks for the suggestion, but what's a 'gocard' - can you provide a link to further information, please?

[Dashel]

Sorry, I wasn't even thinking - scratch mine (no front cam on those).  Getting internet is your main challenge, not the device.

 

(Gocard is just a pre-paid card (no contract))

[MikeChipshop Member]

Countless devices can be bought that you can use Skype on. The connection on the other hand depends on where she lives. If it's a pretty modern city then she could prob just get a rolling 4G contract, failing that, 3G. If this isn't an option she could always get a traditional landline internet connection.

[Cute James]

Thanks chaps,

 

I agree that setting up the internet connection will be the main challenge.

She lives in a small village outside of Norwich.  The last time I visited (over two years ago), I purchased a '3' internet dongle in order to get online with my netbook.  The connection speed was pretty terrible, and it was a dog to use - not to mention bloody pricey.  I wasn't really doing anything intensive (no streaming video or downloading), but had to top-up with my credit card several times.

 

As I mentioned in my original post, my mother is not computer literate.  So while I would love for her to get online and enjoy writing emails, browsing sites etc., realistically I believe Skype will be the only application.  As such, I wonder if it's really worth having a fixed internet line installed - at most, we'd probably Skype once or twice a month or so.

 

Cheers!