Tablets, Android or ios?

[disneysteve]

You can buy an Apple wireless keyboard to pair up with it so you don't have to use the integrated keyboard.

There are also third party solutions. For example, Brookstone has an iPad case that includes a wireless keyboard so everything is together in one nice package.

[Mjenn]

I have Mac stuff and for me the biggest negative is that it is hard to switch. We have quite a few apps, many paid for, that will not transfer to an Android. If I decide to go to Android later, I have to get new apps. DH, on the other hand, had an HTC and then was able to get a Samsung without losing anything.

[HappySaver]

Be honest with yourself about why you want a tablet, and buy the one best suited for those tasks.

Do you read a lot of books/newspapers? If so, the Kindle Paperwhite is the best option out there. It has one function (e-reader) and it does it better than anything on the market. I have a Kindle Touch (pre-Paperwhite) that I use to read books and a newspaper subscription on, and I LOVE it. It works anywhere - inside, outside, sunny, not, it doesn't matter. And it's ergonomically ideal for reading.

Do you want a tablet to surf the web, watch videos, and play games with, that you can also read on? Then the iPad would be my choice. I prefer the size of the iPad mini over the full-size iPad, but that's definitely personal preference.

[dawnwes]

Yes, there are.

However, we keep our Apple products (phones and ipads) in Otterboxes for max protection. Honestly, it is more about ME than the kids. I drop my phone in parking lots all the time. I set it on my lap in the car and forget about it.

I dropped the ipad a couple of times in one of those cases you are talking about. I didn't crack anything, but the corner got dinged a bit. I immediately got an Otterbox for it.

So, you may be fine with that case.....I, sadly, am not.

Dawn

There are also third party solutions. For example, Brookstone has an iPad case that includes a wireless keyboard so everything is together in one nice package.

[dojo]

I have a Nook Tablet purchased 2 years ago. works like a charm. And it cost me 1/3 of the price for an iPad, while for me it does the job well (I can read on it, check emails, browse the web, even watch some streaming shows)

[FrugalTexan75]

I have an iPad3 which I really do enjoy (as well as an iPhone 3GS and 4S phone.) I have been considering selling my iPad though since the main reason I got it was through an online certification program with the idea in mind to use it in the school library. In the year I've had it, I've only brought it to the library twice. Otherwise I just use it to watch videos or read books mainly. (It is a good distractor when I am babysitting though - one girl on my iPhone and one on my iPad.)

[disneysteve]

I don't think anybody said this yet but keep in mind that Apple products don't do Flash video. That is less and less of a problem as developers move away from that but there will be the occasional video you can't view on an Apple device.

[phantom]

I don't think anybody said this yet but keep in mind that Apple products don't do Flash video. That is less and less of a problem as developers move away from that but there will be the occasional video you can't view on an Apple device.

From what I understand, Flash doesn't work on many Android devices either nowadays. Adobe officially stopped developing Flash for mobile devices, which means that unless you get an Android device with Flash already installed, getting Flash working on Android can be a bit of a pain. As mobile keeps accounting for more and more visitors, most developers are moving away from Flash (and to HTML5) for video. Sure, you're still going to come across some sites that haven't dropped Flash yet, but it's definitely becoming less of an issue all of the time.