Android or Apple tablet?

[piemashandliquer]

We are looking to get our first tablet. I would like to use it to surf the internet, mumsnetting, emails, and possibly watch the odd film or something off Iplayer, and would also like some apps so DD (4) can play a few little games or educational games like Hairy letters. I would also like to read books on it - I was looking at a separate Kindle Paperwhite, but the lady in the shop tried to put me off saying I could do all that on a tablet (I like to read when DH is asleep).

Is android a good option or do I need an Ipad mini?

All advice greatly appreciated.

Android, deffo. cheaper, more versatile, can play all sorts of video files, thousands of apps etc etc

I'd say Apple but I love iProducts

Do you already have either an Android phone or iPhone?

Android. We've got a galaxy s3, s4, note 2 and we've bought dd a tab3

Dp has had ipad2 and ipad4 but even he as an apple head has finally addmited Samsung products are better. He even recently gave up the iphone 5s for a galaxy s4

Thanks for your views everyone. Howard, I have an android phone. We were thinking do we go all android or all Apple for phones and tab, does that work well then?

I really fancy a Samsung Galaxy tab. I like the 7" 8GB, and its only £119 in PC World at the Mo, but DH says go for the 8" which he thinks will be much better to read and watch stuff on, but I don't think I need the 16GB and it only comes with this option. It comes in at a more expensive £179, any thoughts?

Noisytoys - thanks for your view re the Ipad, what is it that you like about the Iproducts?

PS - do any of you think it is worth getting a separate Kindle, or will the tablet do for this too?

watching with interest..

I used to be a BIG Apple fan...now I'm a BIG Android fan.

I would say your answer depends firstly on your budget. If you can afford the ipad mini then that's the one to get. It's a good all rounder and I still think that Ipad's are better than Android tablets overall.

But if you are on a budget then get an Android tablet. But stick to the bigger brands which will be better supported. So the Samsung's, the Google Nexus or even the Tesco Hudl. Don't go for the cheapy Made in China never-heard-of brands. They tend to be much lower quality and made to the cheapest price possible.

We have a mix of apple and android. We like our android phones but do like the ipad for ease of surfing etc. Samsung you can open word and excel docs on so Samsung tab is better for work for me.

However. I love my kindle. Its teeny, light, and the papery look to the screen is wonderful. I am saving up for a paperwhite so I can read in bed as my older kindle is not lit. I don't like reading on a backlit gadget screen. The tablet type format is really bad for reading in daylight. Kindle screen you can have full sunlight on it on the beach and it still just looks like a piece of paper.

Also, I can't be reading on the ipad if someone else wants to play a game on it.

So get a cheaper android tablet and a kindlepaperwhite.

thanks niceguy and flibberty. I feel better informed, but still cant make a decision! I have the money for an Ipad mini, but is it really worth it? I've heard you can only get apps from the Apple shop and they're really expensive, therefore its a bit restrictive. Any Apple users find this? On the other hand, if its really worth the extra Im happy to pay it.

Anyone else?

Oh bloody hell, I've just looked at the Nexus 7 on John Lewis, which has rave reviews. Now I really cant make my mind up! Anyone got the Nexus?!

Yes with apps on apple devices you can only use them on apple devices. They are no more expensive than android apps from the google store though.
But with android devices you can switch from one manufacturer to another and still have yr aps. I went from htc to samsung no prob.

We only get free apps though. Only one I ever paid for was a fiver for minecraft.

I have an ipad which I love but think there is not much difference with android tablets providing you get the same size screen as an ipad! Not some tiddly little screen. Ipad is crap I admit for not having flash player and not allowing installation.

I have the Samsung galaxy note 10.1 and it's a big screen and I love it! The S Pen feature is absolutely fantastic on it. You can write and it converts to text amongst other features.

We've got a Nexus and an iPad. DH loves the Nexus while I prefer the iPad.
I'm sure you'll be pleased with either. For me the iPad is slicker but I'd be perfectly happy with a Nexus.

The nexus 7 is amazing, I had the 2012 version and upgraded to the 2013 recently (gave the old one to DH) It's such a nice size for sitting on the couch surfing, or looking up stuff during a lecture, or playing candy crush The kids like it too, and I can use it for most things I've been able to think of.

You get the google play market on most android tablets, and you can also add in the amazon app store, which has the advantage of a free app every day - and while they to tend to be daft wee games, I've managed to get a £15 office software app free before.

I would echo niceguy2 and Roussette. Used to be an Apple person (and still love my Macbook) but have gone Android all the way for phones and tablets. I have the Galaxy Note 10.1 as well and love, love, love the S Pen. What I will say is, though, that the 10 inch tabs are a bit big for use on a crowded bus, I would have gone for an 8 inch (and others have said the same about crowded trains). If you'll be mostly at home or in one place when using it, I'd go for the bigger screen of 10 inch.

Apple is more restrictive, you can only (really) get apps from the App Store. But they are not massively expensive, most of the stuff you have described wanting to do have free apps. But the devices themselves are more expensive.

I have a separate Kindle and I do like the fact that it does one thing really well - nothing wrong with the Kindle app on the tablet but I tend to read at the end of the day when the tablet is in need of a charge-up. It is also MUCH better for reading in sunlight.

Thanks All, makes me feel better that we wont make a wrong choice whatever we decide, just sounds like personal preference.