What kind of tablet do I want? Point-and-shoot equivalent.

Apple’s iPad is extremely easy to use with little effort. Little kids pick it up instantly.

They come in three sizes, mini, regular, and pro.

Downside, they are rather pricey.

What @cookieman said. I have an iPad mini. Very easy to learn to use, wonderful for travel, and actually, pretty hardy. I’ve had mine for 3½ years, and it still reliably does what I need. But yes, pretty pricey by comparison to others.

3rd vote for a Ipad mini. 1st mac thingy I ever owned and was concerned over the learning curve awaiting me. Turned it on and have never yet read the owners manual.

I got this case for mine and can pretty much throw it across the room and all is good.

@Jeruba Do you have a budget to adhere to?

Amazon’s Fire tablets are basically the definition of user friendly. I got one for my mother in law. No bells or whistles, very simple user interface, and wicked cheap.

I like the reviews of electronic products on CNET. Here is their latest on tablets.

If you are looking for a very inexpensive tablet, I will also recommend Amazon Fire tablets

I’m sorry for the multiple answers to your question.

Since you’re unfamiliar with smartphones, you may not be too familiar with tablets either. The very good news for you is you only have to add the apps (this is the word for programs for a mobile device, and it’s increasingly being used for computers, too) that you will actually use. In other words, you will create your own system.

It is highly likely that a few preselected apps will come loaded on your tablet. There are ways to hide the apps’ icons so that you never even have to think they’re there. You can configure your home screen so you only see exactly what you want to use.

I understand wanting a simple device to do the most basic functions. I have this tablet. I chose it because I understand quite a bit about how computers work, and I wanted one that would operate very well. I have had 3 Samsung tablets. I like the quality very much. I have never had any type of malfunction with any of them. They work very well. They have a superb screen as well which I like for viewing photographs and videos.

I have been using a tablet for about 5 years. Over the course of that time, the tablet has grown in its importance in the amount of things I use it for. Now, I do almost all my online consumption on the tablet. I only turn on my computer to compose letters since they are longer and it’s easier to type on a computer, and a few other specific needs. I do everything else on the tablet. My bank’s app allows me to do all the functions I need. All my credit cards have apps that work well. I read comic strips with an app. I scroll through Facebook and play on Fluther using the tablet. I read the news on the tablet. I shop online on the tablet.

I have already decided my next tablet will be this one for one simple reason. It has no bloat. Bloat is a word used for the apps preselected by the device’s manufacturer that a user may never need. The manufacturer places the apps on the device hoping the user will use them allowing the manufacturer to gather sellable data. As far as I know, the Pixel tablet is the only one with no bloat.

In closing, buy a name brand for the quality. There are many very inexpensive tablets, but they have low quality.

The second link in my answer did not work.

Here is my choice for a new tablet when I need one in a few years. I will get a tablet by Google.

(And I have added yet another answer to this thread. sheesh)

FWIW I hate my wifes Lenovo. Quirky, glitchy and generally unsupported.

iPad mini lover here.

I will leave one more answer to the many others by me here. Forgive me.

I used to do all my Kindle reading on a tablet using the Kindle app, and then I bought the least expensive Kindle device when it was on sale. I immediately noticed that reading on the Kindle device is much more comfortable than on the app on a tablet. It’s very easy on the eyes. Also, I’m a speed reader, and I read much faster on the actual Kindle than on the app.

I now have a Kindle Paperwhite that I like very much. The biggest difference for me between the base model and the Paperwhite is the screen resolution. The Paperwhite has a crisper appearance. The base model is just a bit fuzzy. It’s not a big difference, but I can see it. I prefer the crisp letters of the Paperwhite. Also, the Paperwhite is lit, so you can read without a lamp. It’s very convenient in bed. I do turn on the lamp anyway, but it’s not completely necessary.

The base model can be had for about $50 when it’s on sale a couple of times each year, and the Paperwhite is $100 on sale. Buy a cover for whichever you might decide to get, and make sure the cover has the sleep function. I bought the Amazon name brand cover, but there are off brand covers that are very inexpensive. Also, buy the plug adapter for the ease of charging.

(I believe the reason the actual Kindle is more comfortable has to do with the type of light the tablet gives off. It’s harsher than the light from the Paperwhite.)

I’m sorry this is a bit disjointed, but there is one more good point for the actual Kindle. A charge lasts me many weeks. A tablet must be charged daily.

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Kindles are on sale today on Amazon. These usually last a few days.

They’re going to be doing Fire tablet flash sales for a few days. Most will last only a few hours, but if you happen to be shopping when there’s no sale on you can call in to customer service and they’ll give you the best price they’ve recently had.