Would like feedback on ipads or similar items please

[ChristmasTreegles]

DS2 broke his 3DS tonight. While I'm not pleased, after discussing it at length, DH & I agreed that the fault rather lies with us, rather than with him. We saw that he was getting upset, but were talking to adult DD and neglected to take it away from him right away (which we usually do when he gets upset with the game in play). He kept getting upset and finally threw it.. and it broke in half.

Had we intervened when we should have, it would never have been broken. No, he shouldn't have thrown it, but we saw the warning signs in his behaviour and didn't act appropriately either.

We're mulling over whether or not we want to replace it, or perhaps next month get him an ipad (which we're a bit over the expense) or something similar (and hopefully less expensive) that will do the same thing.

Any feedback or recommendations from those in the know would be welcomed!!

Thanks!

I'ld be inclined to replace it with a cheaper 2nd hand DS/DS lite tbh, in case there is another breakage. Do you want an Ipad for the specific communication/speech type software? If not, and you just want it for entertainment/web access, the Google Nexus has rave reviews and is cheaper than an Ipad or the blackberry playbook or even kindle fire might do.

Oh - the google nexus looks nice!!! And we can buy it through DH's work, so 15% discount if we buy it before the 4th of January (so £30 off!). It also does show good reviews. Thanks for that info! We will definitely keep that in consideration.

The kindle fire seems to have quite a few bad reviews in comparison, so we'd already decided against that one.

We had similar problems with a broken ds (a couple of years back so tech has moved on) and in the end after looking at the options available at the time replaced the Ds. It made such a difference for ds to have his hands and eyes kept busy that we felt the benefit to ds in replacing it was justified.( We are now on ds number3 - sigh) I have an (original) Ipad which ds can use in waiting rooms but is reposessed at the first sign of trouble, but it is not so easily fitted into a pocket to be always ready as a dslite and goes flat very quickly when used for games. Ds uses his Ds in the school bus and car and any waiting situations.

We have an iPad with the bullet/shot/drop proof case. The case is expensive, but it certainly takes all dd can throw at it quite literally

If you're set on a Google Nexus, the Times is offering it for £50 if you subscribe. Not sure of all the details, but might be worth looking into.

Leonie hmmm... glass screens.... wonder if there is a bullet/shot/drop proof case such as Frustrated has for her iPad. Will have to check into that.

I will look at the Samsung Galaxy 7 as well. other than the difference in the screens, any major difference between the Galaxy and the Nexus?

Icedcake I will peek at that and see what the details are. thanks.

We thought about replacing the DS, but the more we discuss it, we keep coming back to DS getting very upset when he plays the games, but when he is online, he just doesn't get so upset, even when he's playing some games. I think he spends a lot of time looking stuff up (wikipedia) and looking at Marioworld videos on youtube. Riveting stuff that.

DS1 has a Kindle Fire and isn't impressed. He prefers his iPod touch, but that may be a bit small for your DS, Triggles. If you get an IPad or IPad mini, make sure you get a really strong case for it. I can't remember what the super tough case is called, but there are old threads on it.

This protective cover for the nexus made me giggle a bit....

computershopper.com/slideshow/11-top-cases-covers-for-the-google-nexus-7-tablet/iballz-mini

EllenJane THanks. I'll do some searching for the old threads.

Okay. Mulling out loud here. I note that the Galaxy has an SD card slot, and the Nexus doesn't. Interesting point.

The Nexus goes through Google apps. Galaxy goes through Android apps. ?? (not sure what the difference would be with that)

This is my dumb question of the day.... they just need to be able to hook up to Wi Fi (basically our wireless internet router) at home, right? No mobile phone service needed, right? I saw something about mobile phone subscription on one and I just want to make sure. I certainly don't want to be paying monthly on this.

ahahaha... dumb question 2... what is "the cloud?" Must do more searching for that now. AH, the things I must learn.

Leonie - thanks. So I think it sounds like we're looking at the Nexus and possibly some iballz. heheheee

Will be well worth it to tell DH we have to go buy some balls for the nexus.

Ah, the nexus we were looking at is the 32gb one, so if you don't need any sd storage with the 16gb one, I can't imagine we'll have any problems with the 32gb one. Brilliant.

I really do appreciate all this input from everyone.

I think, bearing in mind the glass screen, we will definitely need to put the iballz on it, as well as implement specific rules. And we have extra insurance through our banking for anything electrical (stupid me didn't put the 3DS on it, as I kept putting it off and eventually forgot about it. That'll teach me!!) so I'll make sure it's on that as well.

Goodness, there is just so much new info with all this. I guess I just thought it'd be like a laptop, but there's so many variables!! Thanks again!

Oh... is it possible to lock the tablet so that DS2 can't just access (and buy) apps whenever he wants? That's an important thing.. definitely!!

You can on an iPad, just dont give him the itunes passwordI can't see why you can't on a tablet, since the principle of buying the apps must be more or less the same.

Great. Thanks so much!

Alrighty. I know it's late, so most of you are probably sleeping.

I've found the protective cover from previous threads. It's the Otterbox cover. I see by their site that they are rather expensive, but it's in US money, and will ship to UK. It seems REALLY good. But those of you that may have one... I see it has a cover that goes over the touch screen. Is that just to be on there when it's not in use? (you see? have to spell EVERYTHING out for me, ya do!!) Can't really tell by reading the description on the website, and the pictures don't really clarify it either. I just assumed it couldn't cover the touchscreen, as then you can't... well.... TOUCH it.

You know, I've HAD coffee today... not sure why my brain is processing so slowly.

Off to browse some more...

oh for heaven's sake... here's the link.. completely forgot....

www.otterbox.com/Google-Nexus-7-Defender-Series-case/asu2-nexus-7,default,pd.html?dwvar_asu2-nexus-7_color=20&start=1&cgid=nexus-7-cases

arrrrgghhh... stupid tick box!!! One.... more.... time....

www.otterbox.com/Google-Nexus-7-Defender-Series-case/asu2-nexus-7,default,pd.html?dwvar_asu2-nexus-7_color=20&start=1&cgid=nexus-7-cases

For those looking for a good cover for 3DS, though... this seems to be getting very good reviews.

www.amazon.co.uk/Officially-Licenced-NERF-Armour-Nintendo/dp/B006G6TZHQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top