I think the 16gb would be just fine for your mom!! Kudos to her for keeping up with technology! There are ton of solitaire type games available in the app store, she will definitely live it. Regarding email-easy set-up. You will have it going for her in no time. Even if she would like to put photos or some music on it, the 16gb would still be adequate in my opinion. I am thinking of buying my mom an iPad also-16gb as well. Took her to Best buy to play with the kindle fire, nook tablet and the iPad. She really liked the fire the most, since she has a kindle already and is familiar with it. Still do not know which to get at this point!! Good luck!!