Would we be mad to get DS an iPad Mini for Christmas?

[macnab]

DS will be 8 in March. Quite tech-savvy, he plays apps on my old samsung galaxy phone (wifi only in the house, no sim card in it) and he loves his playstation.

He is asking for a tablet for Christmas. I'm worried that it will get dropped and broken - so much money for a gadget but I'm also worried that a cheaper tablet might not work so well, could have issues with anti virus etc.

So, what are you opinions on costly gadgets for this age group? Are we mad? Should we just get him the Kindle Fire or are iPads really worth it?

Just seen the most basic Kindle Fire for sale at PS50 - it gets good reviews too. Worth a thought ...

I have ipads but only 'cos everything is apple and so it all synchs. Otherwise I wouldn't particularly bother.

My DS is 7 and he's getting the galaxy tab 4. But only because i got it free when I joined sky. I couldn't afford one otherwise and I won't be replacing it if he does break it. He told me he wants to ask Santa for a tablet and I've told him that's fine but there will be strict rules. He is not to charge it or take it off charge (he has a habit of just yanking it) and he is not to let his sister get hold of it. I don't worry about him dropping it, he's quite good like that, its the little one that's a problem he will only have WiFi and will only use it at home or at my mums. And if he's taking it to my mums it will be put in the changing bag on the pram then I know where it is.

I would. Just make sure you get a very protective case for it and it'll be fine.

dd1 is getting one and shes 8

Personally I think once you've had an iPad nothing else quite comes up to it , we have iPads but last year DS had a Microsoft tablet ,so that it would synch with his other stuff ( has a windows phone / computer / laptop ) , it barely gets used and the only way it is better than the iPad is Microsoft solitaire ,which is very good .

DS had one at 9 (two years ago) and is literally on the verge of wearing it out. Like you we only went for the iPad because everything else is Apple, but it is also so much easier for me to use when I need to disable the wifi help him find something.

And we also purchased a pig ugly Griffin Survivor case. Wasn't cheap at about PS40 but the iPad is still pristine inside. Same for DH who takes his to work and frequently uses it out on site or leaves it chucked in the back of the van.

I got my 8 year old an ipad mini this year for his birthday. We also got him a very good case. The good thing with the ipad is that its very easy to restrict age inappropriate apps, websites etc. Just remember to put a password on the app store that only you know and he doesnt see you put it in

Kids kindle fire comes with protective case and a 2 year "no questions asked" replacement warranty if it breaks

my dc got an iPad for their 6th birthday

dc is very tech savvy and we've now had it 2 years with touch wood no breaks so far

whats your budget op? I would never afford an ipad formyself let alone dc, but if I was richer, I would probably go for one, but no way if I was not rolling in it...

there are loads of tablets out there, many of us, let down by hudl are looking at the fire with its warranty and case. ( 80quid)

Thanks everyone

Would you mind telling me what cases you got? Would definitely want to get a apocalypse shatter proof case!

to be honest, the only reason I'm considering it is that I'm due a bonus at work and last one I got I lost almost half of it in tax. So my boss suggested that the company 'buy' me a laptop or iPad and then the balance would go through my wages. When I did the maths, it works out quite good - I'd rather my DS got the benefit of it than the tax man!! Its the iPad mini2 I'm looking at, the 32GB one (PS259)

This is the case we have for our iPad mini, which DS dropped down the stairs at age of 3 and not a scratch.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/321584116711?adgroupid=13585920426&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=kwd-75951445866&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-134428-41853-0%252F2%253Fipn%253Dicep%2526icep_id%253D67%2526mtid%253D1673%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D50600204586_563391%2526icep_item_id%253D321584116711%2526itemid%253D321584116711%2526icep_meta_categ_id%253D58058%2526icep_etrs%253DY%2526icep_epid%253D-999%2526icep_ctlg%253D-999%2526icep_cond%253DNew%2526targetid%253D75951445866%2526rlsatarget%253Dkwd-75951445866%2526rpc%253D0.22%2526rpc_upld_id%253D57550%2526device%253Dm%2526icep_msku_flag%253Dy%2526icep_cbt%253Dn%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526loc%253D9045954%2526poi%253D9045954%2526campaignid%253D207297426%2526adgroupid%253D13585920426%2526gclid%253DCPXYiobd9sgCFYydGwodQosOXA%2526srcrot%253D710-134428-41853-0%2526rvr_id%253D923527607689&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=9045954&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&device=m&chn=ps&campaignid=207297426&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80

Thanks cravingcake

I have only seen i pad and never used but sounds like you should go for it, get the best!

If you can afford an iPad and a decent cover, go for it. Hope he enjoys it!

Oh yes, get it for him, he'll be so happy. My DD loves her iPad mini

Thanks! We will definitely get it and he will be made up

God I LOVE Christmas

Can I just ask if safari/ you tube etc can be restricted? Il
DS(6) has saved up for one and I'm hoping to get it on Black Friday.
Sorry to hijack op.

If you do get one, it's worth going into the Apple store and getting them to help you set up family sharing. We have this for DS and, in addition to age limiting content, any requests for apps (paid or free, regardless of age rating) come through to my iphone for me to approve.

Drastic where can I find the kids Kindle Fire for PS80, please? Can't see it for less than PS100.

My DD is older (13) we got her an iPad last year . Decided on the iPad Air (she had a look and though she liked the Mini, the Air was a better screen for her homework, watching downloads etc)

I have her old Laptop (I know, the daughters hand-me-down )

Loads of their homework is online so it made a good choice for her.

The kindle tablet is ace and has a 2 year guarantee...no quibble exchange if it breaks.
My fire hdx was PS99 just before xmas last year - amazon always reduce the prices in December

My boys have really looked after theirs. They know they're expensive and won't be replaced if mistreated.

We have these cases:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/141573328845?adgroupid=13585920426&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=kwd-75951457746&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-134428-41853-0%252F2%253Fipn%253Dicep%2526icep_id%253D67%2526mtid%253D1673%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D50600204586_563391%2526icep_item_id%253D141573328845%2526itemid%253D141573328845%2526icep_meta_categ_id%253D58058%2526icep_etrs%253DY%2526icep_epid%253D-999%2526icep_ctlg%253D-999%2526icep_cond%253DNew%2526targetid%253D75951457746%2526rlsatarget%253Dkwd-75951457746%2526rpc%253D0.16%2526rpc_upld_id%253D56670%2526device%253Dm%2526icep_msku_flag%253Dy%2526icep_cbt%253Dn%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526loc%253D1006886%2526poi%253D1006886%2526campaignid%253D207297426%2526adgroupid%253D13585920426%2526gclid%253DCNWi2en79sgCFYyRGwodl4AOMQ%2526srcrot%253D710-134428-41853-0%2526rvr_id%253D923571535878&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=1006886&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&device=m&chn=ps&campaignid=207297426&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80

Both mine have ipad2s.
Eldest ds has had his for 4.5 years.
No issues.