iPad, Kindle Fire HD or Galaxy Tablet?

[olecow]

I appreciate everyone's input.

 

[thebeesknees]

OK, to piggyback another question onto the OP's:

I am wanting to get an ipad, but can't decide if I should get the mini or the regular one. I have an ipod touch, but it only has 8gb which we used up in no time, so I worry that the mini won't have enough space at 16gb, but from a size standpoint, it is appealing that it could fit in my purse easily. The regular ipad looks so much bulkier, but seems like the higher memory would be a big plus. Anyone have both and which do you prefer? We aren't big gaming people, I would mostly use it for ease of checking email, surfing the web while I'm out, etc., since I don't have a smartphone.

 

[wenrob]

OK, to piggyback another question onto the OP's:

I am wanting to get an ipad, but can't decide if I should get the mini or the regular one. I have an ipod touch, but it only has 8gb which we used up in no time, so I worry that the mini won't have enough space at 16gb, but from a size standpoint, it is appealing that it could fit in my purse easily. The regular ipad looks so much bulkier, but seems like the higher memory would be a big plus. Anyone have both and which do you prefer? We aren't big gaming people, I would mostly use it for ease of checking email, surfing the web while I'm out, etc., since I don't have a smartphone.

You can get the same amount of memory on the iPad Air and the Mini, maybe I'm misunderstanding your question? The biggest difference in the Air and rMini is the size of the screen, the Air is very light and not bulky at all. My teen has the Air, I have the rMini and DH has a iPad 4th generation. His is a bit "bulkier" than ours. We all carry them to and from quite frequently. At first I was slightly jealous of the screen size on DD's Air but I love that I can just toss my rMini in my purse and it's light enough that a lot of the times I forget that I have it in there. I personally would not get less than 32GBs. iPad apps tend to take up more space than the iPod/iPhone ones in my experience. I also like to carry a selection of movies, magazines and books with me. Add to that photos and music and well, it all takes up space. Hope this helps!

ETA: Here is a comparison chart of the models available. I personally would not get either of the 16GB models as they are previous generation and new generation should be coming out in Oct so in the tech world they'd be "old" right out the gate. I also wanted to add that a lot of people (including myself), think they will "only do this or that" on them but then figure out what they're capable of and do much more. Just something to keep in mind.
https://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/

 

[dizzyinwdw]

We have iPads, iPods, iPhones, kindle fire (HD and original), regular kindle (k2 and newest version). For reading a kindle is the best-- get the paper white to read in the dark. I use the kindle app on my iPhone to read at night. We only use the kindle fire for the kids when we travel--they have some apps on it and I download movies and tv shows to keep them busy. Kindle free time for kids is awesome. Plus I don't cringe if they drop it. For web surfing, email, etc we use the iPad, iPhone, iPods. We find the fire too slow for these activities and prefer the apple interface. We also use amazon instant video app to watch content on the iPad.

 

[Hisgirl]

We have all represented here at our house and then some.

I purchased the Galaxy for the sheer reason I didn't want to be a crowd follower and automatically buy an ipad.

I kept it 13 months. After that time, I decided it just wasn't throwing me over the moon the way the Ipad seemed to do for my friends, so I took it back. It wouldn't connect into wifi easily and it turned out to be a common issue so amazon took it back...after 13 months! (and a 10% restocking fee)

My husband loves his kindle and has used it for internet but.....after we both gave in and got an Ipad....there was no looking back.

It's everything everyone says about it...all that and a bag of chips too! It was easy to set up, easy to use, it's a great camera, and honestly, I'm more impressed with this than any electronic I've ever seen, hands down.

if I had to choose, I would purchase an Ipad again and again. Buy a refurbished one and save some bucks.

 

[pryncess527]

my iPad is worth every penny. I know many people think Apple products are overpriced, but in my experience they last so much longer and are so much more reliable than the alternatives, they really are worth the cost. As Judge Marilyn Millan likes to say, "Lo barato cuesta caro -- the cheap comes out expensive"

Though I bought a Kindle first, and for dedicated reading it's still the best.

 

[Stephaniesue]

I haven't read all the other posts, but here's my 2 cents.

Have you checked into a Nook? I have a Nook HD, it has a 9 inch screen and I LOVE it. I can surf the web and read books too. My DH got it for me this past Valentines day, much better than flowers .

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

OK, to piggyback another question onto the OP's:

I am wanting to get an ipad, but can't decide if I should get the mini or the regular one. I have an ipod touch, but it only has 8gb which we used up in no time, so I worry that the mini won't have enough space at 16gb, but from a size standpoint, it is appealing that it could fit in my purse easily. The regular ipad looks so much bulkier, but seems like the higher memory would be a big plus. Anyone have both and which do you prefer? We aren't big gaming people, I would mostly use it for ease of checking email, surfing the web while I'm out, etc., since I don't have a smartphone.

I had the first generation iPad, now have iPad mini. It seems as if the iPad was too bulky. The mini is a better size. Of course before even using either one of them, I got an OtterBox for them...which that adds bulk and weight, but a necessary evil for me. Between the two of them, of course I like the mini better. The speed is not a fair comparison because they were made in different generations. Portability and just ease of handling favors the mini. However, the bigger screen can be nicer for use. It is a tradeoff really. The mini will be cheaper. It is all in where your priorities lie. For me, I chose easier handling and portability along with a little bit cheaper price tag. For others, it might be worth getting the bigger screen.

If storage space is an issue, the iPad mini has storage ranging from the mentioned 16gb all the way up to 128gb just like the full sized ones (if you get the Retina display based on what is available on the Apple website currently). Of course that would raise the price a staggering amount.

It might go without saying... it cannot be used just like a smartphone when you are out. You will have to find free WIFI in order to do stuff online if you have the basic wifi models. They do of course make iPads (regular and mini) that will work w/Verizon and AT&T (probably other carriers too), but again that raises the price of the iPad and requires paying for a data plan with the carrier.

Free WIFI isn't that hard to find while you are out. Many restaurants, stores, hospitals etc... have free WIFI.

 

[Nztara]

Based solely on personal experience, I suggest the iPad. We have an older iPad, but it still works very well for all of our needs. We use it for toddler apps, Netflix, browsing the web and email. We do not download movies.

I had a regular Kindle, which I loved, but it was stolen. It was replaced with a first generation Kindle Fire HD that had major issues. Amazon replaced the defective unit with one that has battery life issues. It is now strictly used for the Free Time app for my child. Maybe they have improved, but my experience was not good.

 

[Cinderella_68]

Another overwhelming vote for iPad, here. I have a second gen, DH has a third gen, and our kids all have minis, a move to keep them from always using ours, and being able to clear their apps from our iPads. The mini is too small for me. I like the size, but miss my larger screen. Started out with a nook, then a nook color. Haven't used either one since DH got me an iPad.
The only advantage to a Kindle that I can see, is that if you are a Prime member, you can read a lot of the books for free.
When I cracked my screen, I was able to get it fixed for $150, (not by Apple,) even though it was tempting to just get a new one.

 

[Lolsmum]

I have an ipad, a keyboard kindle and an iPhone 5S. My husband has my old ipad and an iPhone 5S. My kids both have kindle fire HDs. My daughter's is a year newer than my son's.

Honestly, for reading my go to is my kindle keyboard, but I will read on any of the tablets before the one just due to size. I generally don't take my ipad out with me, again due to size, but the kids' Kindles are small enough that they go with us on days out or for one to use while the other has gymnastics or football.

I rarely use a kindle fire to get online, but it has been fine when I do. My kids are young enough (7 and 8) that they don't spend a lot of time online and when they are, we prefer it to be on the laptop where it's easier to keep an eye on them.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the three if all you really want is reading and the internet.