To buy us a Hudl each?

[Reality]

I have been hankering after a tablet of some description for a while so thought I'd investigate the Hudl. I didn't realise how cheap it was, and as it turns out I have enough Tesco vouchers to buy three of them.

I suggested to DH last night that it woudl be an ideal present for the older Dc (9 and 11), it woudl solve many fights over screen time (they are allowed an hour each on the family pc but it always causes rows). They would love it.

DH agrees that they woudl love it but is reluctant to buy them both one as my mum has promised to buy DS1 a laptop for his 12th birthday (next Sept). DH thinks that the tablet woudl therefore be surplus to requirements and a waste.

My arguments for this are:

-I have a netbook and still want a tablet, they have different applications. I wouldn't be comfortable with DS1 having his laptop in his messy bedroom, for eg, but he can take a Hudl up with him.

-Nine months is a huge amount of time when you're 11, and it's a bit shit to be told you can't have something because you're waiting for something almost-but-not-quite the same, amost a year away.

-If I have one and DD has one, DS1 will spend a huge amount of time asking to borrow them.

-I'd quite like the glory, tbh, after my Mum swooped in over a year ago and promised this fabled laptop .

DH is happy to be convinced, and I'm still working on him. He doesn't 'get' stuff like this, he only has a very basic phone and only got a personal email address two years ago. He despairs at the fact that we have a pc, netbook, phone and kindle. Bizarrely, he's a software engineer.

I think this is a much better thing to buy than oodles of stuff that no one needs. I was quite excited at finding what is almost the perfect gift IMO, especially as it won;t cost anything.

AIBU?

[FannyFifer]

Why would u not be comfortable with laptop in room but happy with tablet?

Otherwise I would just get them.

[londonrach]

I cant imagine how i managed without my blackberry playbook. Bought it for 45 pounds. Think the hudl is getting mixed reviews but its free (with tesco vouchers) so go for it but keep it for xmas...

[youarewinning]

YANBU IMO. My DS has an Ipad (but uses it for work etc as has SN) and we also had 2 laptops. We had mine and then mum gave us her old one which broke and then I got a work one so DS used mine. Mine then broke 2 days after getting the Ipad!

Your right about them doing different things and I have been seriously considering getting myself a hudl. I use the Ipad in bed to watch Iplayer but it is actually DS' and if you want the honest truth I'm when he's on it

Technology is changing and moving on and having these things is just part of life now for children this age. I think as long as they don't take over their lives they can enrich them.

[Reality]

Fanny, because I can imagine him breaking the laptop really easily. The Hudl is much more robust, with fewer moving parts to break.

[MrsGeorgeMichael]

we've just got a hudl, and highly recommend
(get the rubber cover as well - worth the extra £15)
so jealous of it not costing you any money - i had only a £2 voucher :)

[don't live close to a tesco, so hardly ever food shop with them]

[macnab]

I cant see how a 10 and 12 yr old would break a laptop I would imagine they're well up on how they work.

But I definitely think the hudl would be a super xmas gift and since you're getting them with vouchers for me its a no-brainer. I'm well jealous!!

[swampytiggaa]

I have bought a hudle for my 5 year old at Christmas. Her siblings have ipod touches or a kindle fire.

I figured it wasn't much more than a kiddy type tablet and more versatile. DH works at tesco so we got it when staff discount was 20%.

Seriously considering one for myself actually.

[valiumredhead]

Ha! I was looking at the reviews last night as I have some tesco vouchers. So they're not to heavy then as that was mentioned a lot?

[valiumredhead]

And can I use vouchers towards payment or do you have to pay entirely in vouchers ?

[BoundandRebound]

Laptops are for school work and tablets for games

I wouldn't give children tablets at all to be honest but can see why you'd want to

Check out parental control options first

[DowntonTrout]

A laptop is completely different to a tablet. Buy them!

[VeryStressedMum]

We have laptops and tablets, I prefer the tablet as it's much handier than a laptop. And as his birthday is in September not Boxing Day it's definitely not U to get him a hudl for Christmas.
I'd get it if it was my ds

[DowntonTrout]

Buy the Hudls I mean!

You are right that your DS will always be wanting to borrow it.

Laptops great for homework and more serious stuff. Tablet brilliant for carrying about. Playing games, watching iplayer, social media. Etc.

[Glittertwins]

The apps on the Hudl are reasonably priced as well. If you don't have to physically pay for them either it's a pretty good present and I would definitely have one per child.

[LaGuardia]

Only problem with the Hudl is that it has a Tesco icon on the desktop which you can't get rid of. That is why they are so cheap. Brainwashing for the masses.

[ArgyMargy]

Absolutely yes, go for it. And tell your DH to get into the 21st century

[Caitlin17]

Go for it. I love my Asus tablet and I'm quite jealous of my son's Nexus 7. I hardly switch on my laptop. Tablets to go !!

[Catsmamma]

YOu can part pay with vouchers....we did (80 in vouchers and 40 real money)

and then got a £20 refund as there is a small ping/ding on one of the speaker covers....so it cost me just twenty quid in all! :D

The reviews I read usually compared it to the ipadmini, but camera aside it comes off very well. Generally most of the GeekFolk seem to be grudgingly impressed with it.

And so far I have not been brainwashed into pressing the tesco button...I must be made of stern stuff. ;)

[valiumredhead]

Can you get all the free apps for the hudl?

[LumpySpacePrincessOhMyGlob]

Go for it. I have an ipad, dh has a chromebook, dd has an ipod touch and we have a family pc.

And I neeeeeeed an ipad mini retina when it comes out.

Also when you are looking for ds laptop have a look at the chromebooks. They are cheap, great battery life and you dont have to update them. All the anti virus is built in so its perfect for a kid.

[Catsmamma]

yes...it's just like my phone....I have all the same things on there.

the only annoying thing so far is that I can't send the Hudl to sleep....my phone taught itself to go silent at ten pm after the first few days of me telling it to do it (i am old and have to go to bed early!)

the hudl chirrups away regardless when notifications come in......I suppose i could set it to silent, but then i'd forget to turn it back up! meh!

real money they are £119 ....no idea about minecraft, but i don't see why not.....it's all computerythingymabobbery innit.