I'm pretty computer illiterate but I'm thinking of buying an Ipad. Is it worth it or are some tablets good enough? If so which? And if it has to be Apple, do I need a 2 or 3?

I'd go for an iPad 2 if you not used to compuetsr much as I find iOS which iPads use to be easier to use for novices than Android. And I'd go for the iPad 2 as it is cheaper and you won't get full use out of the extra power of 3.

What do you want to use it for?

What is your budget?

I don't have an iPad but I've seen the latest version and the display is streets ahead of iPad 2.

Personally I prefer Android tablets as I don't have a Mac or an iPhone.

You don't need a Mac or an iPhone to use an iPad.

To the OP an iPad is also a tablet. In fact it is essentially the first tablet whereas before tablets were typically Windows laptops with touch screens designed mainly to be used with a stylus.

Yes, the iPad is definitely worth it, especially when you consider that in comparison to Android tablets iPads have a lot more apps designed for it.

Sent to you from my iPad.

I didn't say you needed a Mac or iPhone to use an iPad. The point is that if you do have either of those devices and want a tablet then an iPad is a logical choice.

I use a PC and have an Android phone so an Android tablet is a logical choice.

Sent to you from my Transformer Prime.

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I have the IPad2. I wanted to change my mobile phone and thought about getting the new Samsung, but decided to get the IPhone 4s, because anything you download on your IPad automatically downloads to your phone in the cloud.......Logical.

But those devices are not relevant in determining whether an iPad is a logical choice.

Just because you have an Android phone doesn't make it more logical to buy an Android tablet, especially when Android has much fewer tablet specific apps compared to the iPad.

I know many people with Android phones and iPads.

That's fine and a great feature but logical in this case is determined by what one expects and plans to do with the iPad.

Until OP can answer these questions then its very difficult to start making recommendations,

Personally I like the BlackBerry PlayBook. Cheap and very good at what it does.

Suppose if you want lots of apps then ipad is better but for most other stuff the PlayBook is a steal at £169.

Is there a more expensive tablet than the Ipad than? If not why are you asking my budget?

I'm no clearer yet btw.

OK, you have unlimited budget and VFM does not matter so what are you planning on using it for ?

I have a 10" Galaxy tab from work. I quite like it and it runs well, BUT I've never been convinced that Android tablets have the right screen ratio, Android tablets have more of a letterbox screen than the iPad with it's more 4:3 screen which I think looks better to use. The 10" tablet is also more bulky than an iPad. When you use the Galaxy tab in the portrait position I find it awkward., some web pages can look rather narrow on it. But that's just my opinion.

A lot depends on what you want the device to do what apps you want to run on it and any accessories you want to use with it.

There are other tablets that cost the same, other tablets that are a bit cheaper, and other tablets that are a lot cheaper. Hence asking what your budget is.

It also helps to know what you want to do with it.


This recent thread has some questions and answers in it you may find useful: http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1671515

An iPad is a tablet computer. It's just one made by Apple which runs Apple's iOS operating system. Most other tablets out there run Google's Android operating system and seem to run a number of versions (Android 4.0 - called ice cream sandwich) being the latest.

I have an iPad 2 - got it over a year ago. I like it, it does the things I want in a tablet and it syncs easily with my MacBook Pro. But you don't neet a Mac or a Windows PC to use an iPad (and I think you probably don't need one to run an Android tablet either).

My only real issue with Android tablets is that they don't all run the latest OS version which I find strange, and looking at some of them in shops they don't all look to have great build quality. But they do have things that iPads don't have, such as USB or SD sockets etc. So it really depends on what you want to do and if you mind not necessarily running the latest OS version. (To some people it's an issue, to some it's not).

I think that the Apple iOS platform has significantly more apps for iPads than say Google's store has for Android, but to be honest I see that as a marketing gimmick. Both platforms will most likely have the apps you want, though some may be more "polished" than others.

Essentially it comes down to these questions:

- What do you want to do with your tablet device?
- How much do you want to pay?
- Do you prefer iOS or Android?

Whatever you choose, it's what you want to do. It's nothing to do with looking cool out in Starbucks or whatever. Just go with the device you like best.

I agree. I would hate using my iPad to type on if it had a 16:9 aspect ratio. The old 4:3 is perfect for typing on and for magazines and books, for everything really. Many people that prefer 16:9 say it is better for movies and tv shows which is simply subjective because better in their view only means that the movie or tv show better matches the screen while ignoring the most important fact, that you are still seeing the entire image on an iPad.

if you are seeing the full image on a ipad then its cropped or stretched.

As for typing, perfectly fine on a 10" android with 16:9 and simple fact that almost all monitors and laptops are also that ratio including high end ones used by designers. We are currently replacing 160k PC at work and new PC have 16:9 screens and we are getting a lot of feedback saying that wished we had switched earlier.

This point is a wind up right 16:9 preference is subjective, 4:3 preference is not?

Yes I have an htc phone and an iPad 3 I prefer iOS by far compared to the android tablets but prefer the flexibility and customisation you get on android for my phone which is a more personal device than a tablet

However... although you get the entire image, it is smaller than on a 10" screen with a 16:9 AR, as it'll be letterboxed on an iPad due to the iPad being 4:3.


If you watch a 16:9 video on the iPad's 4:3 screen you do get the full image. It's letterboxed, but it's still the full image.

It's not necessarily cropped or stretched, not by default.

I think you woud be very happy with an iPad 2 16GB (3G if you don't have broadband). It's very simple to use with virtually no learning curve.

If you have an Apple shop close by pop in for demo, they will be more than helpful and won't push you for a sale (not in my experience).

The aftercare in the Apple shop is also great even if it's just simple things you want to know how to do.

Get yourself down to either pc world or carphone warehouse to physically test out the devices. Both Android and Apple devices are very easy to learn so its really down to what you want to do with it.

Making a list of things you are likely to use if for will be helpful as you can ask the staff at the store how to perform each task. This should clarify in your own mind whether you are comfortable with the process or if you are particulary suited to Apple/Google/Blackberry ecosystems.

FYI - I only use mine for reading books, watching films on the train and controlling the tv but didnt have any issues getting used to it.

in my experience the assistance in these stores is almost useless. They have very limited knowledge of what their selling and are very pushy for a sale on what ever makes them the most profit.