Son wants a IPAD for b-day to play games...

[luvmylittleboy2003]

but there is no way I'm paying that much for something to play games on. His IEP teacher at school used this as a reward system, which he loves and looks forward to, so now wants one for his b-day.
What can I get that is similar to it for under $200 bucks?
Thanks

 

[DawnM]

How about an ipod touch? YOu can use it exactly the same, it is just a smaller screen.

Dawn

 

[Cindy B]

For just a tiny bit more, you can get a Nook Color. This is an ereader and apparently, you can also play games and such.

 

[DawnM]

Is a Nook Color compatable with apps though and touch screen? I ask because if her child is special needs (and I have one too), it will need to do the SAME things as the one in his classroom or it won't be the right one.

I don't know about the Nook, so I am asking.

Dawn

For just a tiny bit more, you can get a Nook Color. This is an ereader and apparently, you can also play games and such.

 

[luvmylittleboy2003]

Is a Nook Color compatable with apps though and touch screen? I ask because if her child is special needs (and I have one too), it will need to do the SAME things as the one in his classroom or it won't be the right one.

I don't know about the Nook, so I am asking.

Dawn

Great question! I was just looking at the NOOK color and it looks great, but, it does need to be similar to the IPAD and close to doing the same things. Nook looks to fit the bill, but, I'm I have no idea what I'm looking for or doing

 

[DawnM]

Looks like it is NOT compatable....

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_download_apps_onto_a_nook

Unless you are really techie.

 

[DawnM]

If the ipod touch is too small, maybe you can look at a 1st generation ipad.....it will still be about $325-$350, but less than the $500 of an ipad 2.

Dawn

 

[Cindy B]

Looks like it is NOT compatable....

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_download_apps_onto_a_nook

Unless you are really techie.

I have a non color Nook but know people with color Nooks. From what I have read, it does play android apps. I have seen the samples and used the menus.

It doesn't seem too techie to me. That wiki answers is kind of vague. Frow mwhat I have seen, you don't need to Root to make it work.

If it is a specific game, it can be done.

 

[luvmylittleboy2003]

He plays angry birds, bubble ball and talking tom are a few I know he likes.

 

[DawnM]

Android apps and itunes apps are NOT the same. They look different and operate different.

This may not make a difference to many, but to a special needs child this is HUGE.

The techie part came in with needing to jailbreak the unit to get it to play the same apps in the same way. I did a quick Google search for Android apps vs. itunes apps and there were a lot of hits saying they do not look or operate the same.

However, the OP may want to go to a store and test it for herself and play around with both and take her son in so that she can see if it would work.

Dawn

I have a non color Nook but know people with color Nooks. From what I have read, it does play android apps. I have seen the samples and used the menus.

It doesn't seem too techie to me. That wiki answers is kind of vague. Frow mwhat I have seen, you don't need to Root to make it work.

If it is a specific game, it can be done.

 

[Lewisc]

I have a non color Nook but know people with color Nooks. From what I have read, it does play android apps. I have seen the samples and used the menus.

It doesn't seem too techie to me. That wiki answers is kind of vague. Frow mwhat I have seen, you don't need to Root to make it work.

If it is a specific game, it can be done.

I don't know much about apple but I'm pretty sure it doesn't play android apps. There may be some hacks which let you play some Android apps on an apple product but don't count on it.

PP is right. You can get an I-Touch for just under $200. Check Amazon.

It may be too late to get a deal on the original IPad. You can check.

edited to add--You might check and see if the games he plays are available for Android devices. My concern would be if he starts playing a new game at school before an Android version is available.

 

[justcruisin]

You can get a refurbished iPad from Apple for $349.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB292LL/A

I have a nook color and I love it. But, it's not an iPad, that's for sure!

 

[Cindy B]

I know that you can't use Android on Apple. You can use Android on Nook. Some of the games are the same (title anyway). I can't vouch for the playability but I have read that people do use the nook color for games.

My son is also special needs and that would NOT be a big deal for him. I guess it is a YMMV though.

 

[princessfionasmom]

I have a nOok color that I rooted so I can access the android market and I LoVE it. DH has the iPad 2 (he was in the hospital having a bone marrow transplant in May and he loves it). DD8 bought herself a refurbished original iPad with $$ she got for her communion and she loves it too. DS10 has my old iPhone that he uses as an itouch (no phone service). I really wanted an iPad for myself but with DH getting one we just couldn't spend $$ getting another one so I researched the nook, liked what I saw and took the plunge and it's awesome. It's so easy to root it, lots of videos on you tube showing you how and there are lots of free apps too. Not to mention the nook is a great e-reader and you can dowlnload books that will read to your son. Good luck with your decision. I love electronic toys and the iPod touch, iPad and nook color are all great choices.

 

[Swimalie]

A friend of mine has a son with Autism as well as other disabilities. She just bought her son a first generation of iPad and said it's so worth it. Maybe you can find one refurbished for less.

Oh and my mom has a Nook and she is considering getting an iPad since it can do so much more.

 

[MrsPete]

but there is no way I'm paying that much for something to play games on. His IEP teacher at school used this as a reward system, which he loves and looks forward to, so now wants one for his b-day.
What can I get that is similar to it for under $200 bucks?
Thanks

Coming at this from a different angle, I wonder if this is a wise choice. Right now he's using the ipad at school as a reward -- and he's willing to work hard, behave well to earn that reward. IF he has that reward available to him at home all the time, will he still be willing to work hard, behave well at school?

 

[nyrebecca]

My son has Autism and LOVES LOVES LOVES his ipad time at school. He works for it as a goal as well. He also has one at home that he got last year for Christmas. He works very hard at his goals in school so he can use it there, even tho he knows he has free access to it at home.

With that said, there is no way he would accept anything but the ipad/ipod/iphone apps. I would suggest looking into the ipod touch. You can even get one from a place like QVC that has it on 5 or 6 easy pays over the next few months. (meaning buy it today, get it next week and your payments are spread out over a few months)

 

[merekc]

I can't speak for the other systems being mentioned, and my kids have not had a chance to play on an ipad (other than brief moments at the store).

But my DS wanted an iTouch for his birthday. I said no way, too expensive. However, when i started looking at toys. I realized I pay $25-40 for toys that get played with once and then shoved in a corner. He has several extended family members that give him gifts each year. It just made sense to have them all go in and get him what he really wanted and would really use.

I can't say enough about how great the iTouch has been. I ordered an older generation model off the refurbished section on apple.com. I believe it comes with a one year warranty. I wanted it to do three things. Play music, games and movies. I didn't care about being able to facetime or take pics. So I was able to get more memory and still come out cheaper than the lowest priced current model. I believe they are currently offering a 32 gb, 2nd gen for $179. Also, Discover gives 5% cashback.

There are tons of free games, including educational one. Several blu-ray movies that we already owned had digital copies to load on it. There are some revolving, decent digital movies you can download for as low as $5 even though we haven't had a need to do that yet.

I cannot wait for our next road trip!

So basically you would be getting like a minature iPad. If you think size wouldn't matter for him, that is the route I would go.

 

[luvmylittleboy2003]

Hmmm....really thinking about going with i itouch, since it a mini version of ipad and way cheaper. My only concern is the small screen, but, he loves to play on my phone so maybe it really wouldn't bother him

 

[JB2K]

OP - I have a young child in the autism spectrum and while I was initially reluctant about what many consider to be an "extravagant" purchase, it was worth every penny spent to get my son an iPad (as he uses it for a variety of learning functions).

My best advice to you is to look at resale sites (eBay) or through Apple, themselves and see if you can buy a first generation, Wi-Fi only, 8 GB iPad (as he most likely won't need all the bells and whistles).

Also, be prepared to spend a little money on suitable apps -- there are some free apps, out there, but many of those aren't as fully-featured as their pay counterparts.