There's yet another choice--in fact many other choices--not just Kindle or iPad.
I have a Nexus 7--the Google 7" tablet, which is made by Asus. It's way better than the Kindle Fire, faster, better interface, runs the latest version of android, it's not
amazon-specific, and it's lighter than the Kindle Fire. My friend who has a KF picked up my N7 and couldn't believe how light it was. If you have gmail and use a lot of Google services, they're seamlessly integrated into the tablet. The only flaw with the N7 (to me) is that it has only a front-facing camera, so it's not great for taking pictures. BTW, although the iPad2 has a rear-facing camera, the pictures it takes are substandard. The iPhone has a far superior camera.
Google's coming out next week (the 13th) with a 10" android-based tablet that's going to be competitive with the iPad--and cheaper.
If you want a tablet, you're not stuck with a choice between iPad and Kindle. There are lots of other choices out there. And there are huge numbers of apps for android devices. Look at the Google Play store and compare with the Apple App store.
Of course, if you have an Apple computer at home and an iPhone, you'll probably want an iPad, since you'll want to have all Apple devices. And, I hate to say this, but if your DS is enamored of iPad, he may be disappointed with something else, even if it's better in many ways. My DH (who's a longtime Mac user) got an iPad and ended up returning it. He much prefers my N7, but he wanted a larger screen, so he plans to get the N10 when it comes out next week.
BTW, all you need is a printer with wireless capability, and you can print off any tablet, although I must mention that if you're printing off an iPad, you have to purchase an app. I'm not saying that printing's fun or easy, but it can be done. If you have a new Cloud-based printer, then it's easy. But for those of us with antique printers (mine's 3 years old!), it's a bit funky, because even though my printer has wireless, my desktop computer has to be on in order for me to be able to print something from my tablet. For the person who asked for printer suggestions, get a Cloud-based printer. If Canon makes one, I'd go with that. The print quality on their printers is excellent.
But a tablet (iPad, N7, KF, whatever) is no substitute for a desktop/laptop/etc. For one thing, it's not enjoyable to type on one of these devices if you're a good touch-typist. My 100+ wpm speed on an old-fashioned keyboard is reduced to maybe 30 wpm on my N7 and, having typed on an iPad as well, it's no faster there.
I use my N7 for email, web access, making notes, reading (on a Kindle app, which, btw, you can get for any tablet, not just a Kindle tablet), and some entertainments. I probably would never watch a movie on it, since it seems small to me for that purpose. The only advantage (if it is an advantage) of the KF over the N7 is that you can use the free book rentals on Amazon Prime, which service is available only to Kindle owners, although if Amazon wakes up, they'll start offering the services to non-Kindle owners, since they're losing a HUGE market there.
Did that help or did I just confuse you further?
) but the good thing is that these apps tend to be stable, since Apple has to approve them. There are games, productivity apps, educational apps, photography apps, the list goes on.
