iPad or other tablet?

[janpa]

I'm really not up on these things, but here goes. Have asked family to make a donation towards a birthday present for my soon-to-be 7 year old with the thought of buying her a mini iPad, which is what she uses at school. I have no idea what they do, apart from have apps. I have bought her a digital camera for the big day - would she be able to load these photos onto an iPad because I believe they don't have usb sockets. I assume you can go on the internet. What is the difference between an iPad & a much cheaper tablet? What would you recommend? Thank you.

I'd get an iPad because apple products don't slow up like windows do (sorry anyone who disagrees but it's what I've found consistently in all the 15 years computer ownership I've experienced)

Microsoft/alternative to apple, not necessarily windows when it comes to tablets!

Though I must point out I'm talking about computer/laptops not tablets so maybe there is something magically different about those that I'm not aware of?

You could download photos using iCloud with an iPad. No need for USB .

Or sync with tunes.

You cant download phots to an ipad, unless younwere taking htem on an iphone or another apple product.

Imlove ipad, so fast but im nit sure if its needed for a 7 year old, but i guess if using at school then its good to keep it the same.

Thank you everyone so far, would be grateful for more thoughts from other experienced Mumsnetters.

Let me answer the questions first.

Can you load photos onto the ipad from a digital camera? Yes. There are two main ways. Via iTunes or you can buy an attachment that plugs into the ipad that then you plug the SD card into. The follow on question is can a 7yr old do this without help? Not sure....possibly after being shown a couple of times. They learn frighteningly quickly!

Can you go on the Internet.....Yes absolutely.

What's the difference? That's quite an open ended question. It's like asking what the difference is between a BMW and all the other cars on the market. Basically the ipad, even the mini is a very good tablet that is a combination of pretty much the best technology. To take my earlier analogy further, a BMW doesn't have the BEST engine. Or the most seats....or the best stereo. But all the components are high quality. You may not get the best of everything but combine it together and it's a compelling package.

Let me finish by saying would I buy one for my nearly 7yr old stepson. Absolutely not. It's far too expensive and he'd probably drop the sodding thing, break it and not really understand the value. He's got a little tablet that cost me < £100. Something that if he broke it I wouldn't go mad at.

But at the end of the day it's up to you. If £270 isn't a big deal then go for it.

I would get the iPad mini but I would also get her an otterbox case. Amazon are usually the best price.

Niceguy2, fantastic information, thank you. Also for putting it into language & analogies I can understand! Can I ask what you did buy your nearly 7 year old? The reason I'm prepared to spend that amount is because otherwise people will spend that amount on her, but in more toys, dolls, paints etc and she is a fortunate child & already has lots of these things, accumulated over the years & she is very careful so nothing ever gets broken or worn out - I am not worried over her dropping it or breaking it. I am expecting I would also get to use it. A few years ago I bought her a Fisher Price camera (right for her at the time) & am now replacing it with a proper (cheapish) digital camera & I'm also thinking that if I buy her a decent tablet now then it won't need replacing as she won't outgrow it.
Again, a massive thank you.