[Mileymoo]

I'm looking for a tablet for myself and son (3yrs) to have. At the moment cost isn't a priority and neither is the make. I'm looking for one that I can browse the internet and then one I can use games/apps for my son. I also want to use it in the car for videos of peppa pig, fireman Sam etc. Any ideas please?

[paulj48]

If cost isn't an issue the there's the Nexus, Galaxy Tab 2, or Ipad to name a few all availabe in different sizes and colours. They will all do what you require.

Letting a 3 year old loose in a car with one is not a great idea (I have a 5 year old son and a Galaxy Tab 2)

[Mileymoo]

Thanks, he is gentle. Is it easy to get the video content onto the tablet?. I've been looking through google play now but you need a wifi/3g to watch peppa pig etc no good for the car?

[Anika Hanson]

If you get the iPad, you can download movies and TV shows directly to your tablet and can view them without an Internet connection. Of course you can also put content on other tablets like the nexus or galaxy tab however, the selection of movies/TV shows is not as large as iTunes have. You can also rip your own dvds and put them onto most tablets. If you have specific programmes in mind perhaps you could look at what is available through both iTunes and google play to help you decide.

[Mileymoo]

Lovely, thanks for your advice. I had a feeling it was going to be a ipad, I haven't a clue how to rip anything!

[Gormond]

Originally Posted by Mileymoo

Lovely, thanks for your advice. I had a feeling it was going to be a ipad, I haven't a clue how to rip anything!

It's not very complicated to rip a DVD to your computer and then transfer it to an Android Tablet.

Here is a list of good ripping software http://www.aolor.com/how-to/rip-dvd-...d-rippers.html

It is by far the cheapest method as it saves you buying all the same stuff from the Apple store that you already own on DVD.

[Mileymoo]

Thanks that's a great help! Much appreciated.

[Anika Hanson]

Originally Posted by Gormond

It's not very complicated to rip a DVD to your computer and then transfer it to an Android Tablet.

Here is a list of good ripping software http://www.aolor.com/how-to/rip-dvd-...d-rippers.html

It is by far the cheapest method as it saves you buying all the same stuff from the Apple store that you already own on DVD.

You can also rip DVDs and transfer them to an ipad. Of course I know you know this, but just pointing it out to the OP

[c4rv]

nexus 7 is pretty tough and there are some good cases for it. My daughter had no problems using my tablet when she had turned 4 so I imagine with a bit of help a 3 year old will be able to manage the basic especially as you can create them a user account and lock it down for them.

As for transferring media, freemake video convertor is free (just make sure to deselect the crapware when you install it) and has preset settings for various android screen resolutions and various apple devices. It really is dead simple to use.

For Nexus 7 (or any android device) if you are using Windows 7 then when you connect it to the PC it appears as a removable device so you can just drag and drop the files over.

For Apple, I am not 100% sure but I believe you have to use itunes, import into there and then transfer over to the tablet.

[Gormond]

Originally Posted by Anika Hanson

You can also rip DVDs and transfer them to an ipad. Of course I know you know this, but just pointing it out to the OP

Indeed I only mention Android as its much cheaper to buy a Nexus 7 than an iPad Mini, its also faster with a better display.

Also you can use a USB stick with Android for storing the videos.

[paulbrock]

Originally Posted by Mileymoo

I've been looking through google play now but you need a wifi/3g to watch peppa pig etc no good for the car?

Actually you don't need a connection to watch vids from google play. You can download the whole thing to the tablet before you head out. BBC Iplayer have also promised this functionality in the near future for Android.

http://support.google.com/googleplay...7642&ctx=topic

[kidspud]

I have an iPad mini and would highly recommend it for both browsing and tv/movies.

I would suggest going to a shop ad tying them out. If possible get a nexus 7 and iPad mini side by side. Although people often refer to specs you need to use them to see if the specs actually make any difference to your user experience.

[Sandy Nerja]

Its no contest really, the Nexus 7 is cheaper than the Apple competition and given that a three year old is going to drop it, eat his dinner off it, stand on it, hit his sister/dog/cat with it, you may as well go for the one that will be cheapest to replace.

[c4rv]

Originally Posted by Sandy Nerja

Its no contest really, the Nexus 7 is cheaper than the Apple competition and given that a three year old is going to drop it, eat his dinner off it, stand on it, hit his sister/dog/cat with it, you may as well go for the one that will be cheapest to replace.

And if you are using a Windows PC then you are not tied into that heap of kak called itunes

[Hugh_]

Ok I need to word this carefully, the Nexus 7 Andriod tablet is currently avalible from Asda for the very reasonable price of £129 a cracking tablet at a cracking price.

[paulj48]

Originally Posted by Sandy Nerja

Its no contest really, the Nexus 7 is cheaper than the Apple competition and given that a three year old is going to drop it, eat his dinner off it, stand on it, hit his sister/dog/cat with it, you may as well go for the one that will be cheapest to replace.

I own both an Iphone and Galaxy Tab 2 and talking from experience with my 5 year old boy I'd say an Apple device will be easier to use.

The problem with young children and Andriod is the on screen home and back keys, these can easily get pressed whilst playing certain games (fruit ninja for example) and can be very frustrating. With an Apple device the 'home' key is seperate from the screen and does not get pressed accidently. Only a small point but should not be overlooked by the OP.

With the above taken into account I still bought a Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 for my boy as it was half the price of the Ipad and cheaper to replace if dropped.

[Hugh_]

Originally Posted by paulj48

I own both an Iphone and Galaxy Tab 2 and talking from experience with my 5 year old boy I'd say an Apple device will be easier to use.

The problem with young children and Andriod is the on screen home and back keys, these can easily get pressed whilst playing certain games (fruit ninja for example) and can be very frustrating. With an Apple device the 'home' key is seperate from the screen and does not get pressed accidently. Only a small point but should not be overlooked by the OP.

With the above taken into account I still bought a Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 for my boy as it was half the price of the Ipad and cheaper to replace if dropped.

I'm hearing this a lot, people buying Nexus 7 and other cheap tablets for there young children. I think it's a great idea as such tablets are perfect for under 12 year olds. An being so cheap like you say they're easy to replace.

[Gormond]

Originally Posted by paulj48

I own both an Iphone and Galaxy Tab 2 and talking from experience with my 5 year old boy I'd say an Apple device will be easier to use.

The problem with young children and Andriod is the on screen home and back keys, these can easily get pressed whilst playing certain games (fruit ninja for example) and can be very frustrating. With an Apple device the 'home' key is seperate from the screen and does not get pressed accidently. Only a small point but should not be overlooked by the OP.

With the above taken into account I still bought a Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 for my boy as it was half the price of the Ipad and cheaper to replace if dropped.

Even I press those buttons by mistake while playing games, it's very easy to do, you make a valid point.

Although I would be nervous giving a 5 year old a portable device that costs £269, if you do I would get it a very good all over case, not the flimsy Smart Cover.

[Anika Hanson]

Originally Posted by kidspud

I have an iPad mini and would highly recommend it for both browsing and tv/movies.

I would suggest going to a shop ad tying them out. If possible get a nexus 7 and iPad mini side by side. Although people often refer to specs you need to use them to see if the specs actually make any difference to your user experience.

I've just bought an iPad mini this evening. I wasn't entirely happy with my nexus 7 (rebooting, freezing, turning itself off), also it heats up a lot and is laggy. I went to take another look at the mini which I saw just after Xmas and had liked and decided to get one. Haven't set it up yet but will be comparing with the nexus 7 before I sell it. I may keep my Samsung galaxy tab 10.1 as it appears to be stable, apart from deleting all the content from my SD card

[IvanIV]

^^^ You need to add Surface to your collection. It's definitely more stable than your Nexus and more open than iPad (SD, USB, HDMI). And it's pretty, too

[Sandy Nerja]

Originally Posted by Gormond

Even I press those buttons by mistake while playing games, it's very easy to do, you make a valid point.

Its all part of the learning experience - and kids are very very quick to learn.

Adults are also quick to learn - once their 3 year old has smashed the screen on their expensive tablet.

[Anika Hanson]

Originally Posted by Sandy Nerja

Its all part of the learning experience - and kids are very very quick to learn.

Adults are also quick to learn - once their 3 year old has smashed the screen on their expensive tablet.

My cousin's son is 3 and he knows what to do with my nexus 7/ galaxy note. The iPhone is easier for him but only because he can hold it himself. Kids are very good with touch screens. Puts some of us older ones to shame

[Gormond]

Originally Posted by Sandy Nerja

Its all part of the learning experience - and kids are very very quick to learn.

Adults are also quick to learn - once their 3 year old has smashed the screen on their expensive tablet.

It's not really learning as such, you have to lean over the capacitive buttons to reach the onscreen controls for the game. If you happen to rest you thumb or move it just a tad too far you end up leaving the game.

I wish there was a way to hide the capacitive buttons when you don't need them, such as pull them up from the bottom like you do with notifications at the top.

[alanwarwic]

Originally Posted by Anika Hanson

I wasn't entirely happy with my nexus 7 (rebooting, freezing, turning itself off), also it heats up a lot and is laggy.

I'm quite surprised that Google have not yet put in an option to turn off multi-tasking.

That way you could even get to control what's running whilst not having a more single tasking device like the Mini.

I learn what multi-tasking apps do not run too well together but some stuff runs anyway so gets uninstalled !

[kidspud]

Originally Posted by Sandy Nerja

Its all part of the learning experience - and kids are very very quick to learn.

Adults are also quick to learn - once their 3 year old has smashed the screen on their expensive tablet.

I think you are underestimating 3 year olds. They don't go around smashing everything!