Ipad Mini

[Argyll]

Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong section.

I want to buy two Ipad mini’s for my kids Christmas aged 6&7 however a guy at work reckons Google’s Nexus 7 is a better option.

I have no idea about these tablets but I’m more inclined to opt for the Nexus 7 as I hate buying in to the whole iTunes thing and I’m guessing Android would be better to get free games and apps

Apart from the Ipad mini being more expensive is it superior to any other tablet or would I just be paying more for the name?

[flik]

There are a few video comparisons between the 2 on YouTube mate.

[Geko]

Android wins for me every time. Plus the Nexus 7 is cheaper.

[dpSparhawk]

I think this is a no brainer.

iPad mini is over priced, plus it's locked into Apple's bullcrap if you choose not to JB. They won't really be bothered about the so called superior build of an Apple device (which is the weak argument most hardcore apple fanboys use) or the so called superior screen which isn't actually the best quality screen compared to the iPad 3 anyway.

Plus, you'll save £200 buying two Nexus 7's and still be able to get thousands of apps for them. In addition, the ability to drag and drop HD movie files to it in Windows Explorer or via Airdroid (fantastic app) and play with zero conversion required as opposed to the nightmare that is iTunes is also a clincher in my opinion.

My son is 4 and a half and I plan on buying myself a Galaxy Note 10.1 (I have a G-Note phone) which although will primarly be used by myself will serve as a perfect media player and educational tool for longer trips out in the car.

[GTI]

If money isn't an option, but the iPad Minis.. no Contesto. Better Apps, better user experience, better customer support, more cachet with other kids, higher resale price etc.. I can argue the toss over this all day long as I have a house full of Apple and Android tablets and phones and am a serial gadget junkie.

[emu]

my 4 year old and 6 year old love my nexus 7

[Argyll]

Thanks for your input guys.

GTI you threw a spanner in the works there as you're the only one that went for Apple lol. Money isn't really an issue but I'm a great believer in 'buy cheap buy twice' although there are exceptions.

I'm veering on the android but I'll have to have a serious think about this.

Thanks again for all your help.

[Armoured Hawk]

If money's not an option go for two Nexus 7's and buy yourself something with the change. I just bought my fourth Nexus 7 today from Curry's to replace the one my son is using all the time. The rest have went to family as their so good. Had no issues with build quality or reliability and Google play support is very good if anything does go wrong.

Plus points for Android i would say are ease of use and value for money especially the nexus 7. Even if you go for the 16gb direct from Google your still £110 cheaper than the Mini. Best thing you can do is get yourself along to Currys if your unsure and get a play about with them both i can honestly say you won't regret going for the 7, don't listen to what other's say about Android being not user friendly the JB 4.2.1 update adds some really good options into the mix and my 8yr old can fly round the menus like you wouldn't believe.

Get a play with both if you can but even with Google, Google music and films are getting better all the time and no messing around with anything like iTunes which is a blessing in it's own.

[Argyll]

Yeah thanks mate. I had the iphone last year and iTunes really puts me off buying anything apple related but I do admit the build quality of Apple products is really good.

I had a look through youtube and looked through some of the comparisons. I guess it's all subjective as some say ipad and some say nexus.

As it's for my kids who are still quite young I think I'll probably opt for the nexus but if it was for an adult I'd probably go for the Ipad mini.

[Welsh Pete]

FYI, the quoted ship date for the iPad mini (from Apple) is 19th December...if nothing goes tits up...2 weeks eh!!! Thats 3!!!

Ive just ordered one as a Christmas prezzie.

[ss30]

Yeah thanks mate. I had the iphone last year and iTunes really puts me off buying anything apple related but I do admit the build quality of Apple products is really good.

I had a look through youtube and looked through some of the comparisons. I guess it's all subjective as some say ipad and some say nexus.

As it's for my kids who are still quite young I think I'll probably opt for the nexus but if it was for an adult I'd probably go for the Ipad mini.

That's what I would do m8 just incase they drop them

[BigBrand]

I find it utterly astonashing how the youth and children of todays generation are so comfortable with technology.

4 year olds using Tablets, playing games, logging int and turning it on. What a leap forward in ability through generations.

When I was 4, erm 43 (ahem) years ago, I was still being bathed by my mother in a steel box my dad got from the local scrappy, over an old coal fire. We used to make fire with sticks and string and play stupid games outdoors.

I wonder where we'll be in another 50 years.


Sorry for hijack

[Geko]

If money isn't an option, but the iPad Minis.. no Contesto. Better Apps, better user experience, better customer support, more cachet with other kids, higher resale price etc.. I can argue the toss over this all day long as I have a house full of Apple and Android tablets and phones and am a serial gadget junkie.

As are most people on digital forums. A serial gadget junkie is kind of the Modus operandi of members here. Most have moved on from Apple and their lack of pioneering, you are still stuck. If the ipad mini cost the same as the Nexus then we could have the conversation on comparisons. But it is no better than the nexus and costs more.

Everyone will have their preference, but most people prefer Android over iOs these days.

Apps is arguable. I have found nothing on iOS that I can't get on Android for over a year. I have also found most android apps to be free (albeit with ads), that are charged for on iOS.

[Nibb]

Only problem with the Nexus 7 IMO is the battery life...it can be a bit shit.

Otherwise its excellent and I use it far more than my ipad!

[blaggard]

I find it utterly astonashing how the youth and children of todays generation are so comfortable with technology.

4 year olds using Tablets, playing games, logging int and turning it on. What a leap forward in ability through generations.

When I was 4, erm 43 (ahem) years ago, I was still being bathed by my mother in a steel box my dad got from the local scrappy, over an old coal fire. We used to make fire with sticks and string and play stupid games outdoors.

I wonder where we'll be in another 50 years.


Sorry for hijack

Long dead. . . . .

[GTI]

But it is no better than the nexus and costs more.

Everyone will have their preference, but most people prefer Android over iOs these days.

You're speaking in generalisations mate... the iPad Mini is no better than the Nexus 7.. on what metrics?

• The Mini is better engineered with more premium quality components
• It looks unique, not generic like the Nexus 7
• Its got a bigger, brighter screen (albeit lower res but at that size who seriously gives a f***) that fills the frame with minimum bezel
• Will run all prev gen iPad apps at native resolution
• Its guaranteed to have a higher resale value in 6, 12, 24 months (in the space of a few months the Nexus 7 8GB has gone obsolete and the prices of the remaining models have tumbled)
• Has a native browser and email client that you will want to use.. unlike that which you get on ICS/Jellybean

I bought a Nexus 7 16GB and kept it for about 3 weeks before getting bored.. the hype was definitely greater than the reality. It hit all the headline specs .. high res, quad core etc.. etc.. but managed to feel cheap and the colour gamut and brightness of the screen were clearly where corners had to be cut to get the pixel count up (you get what you pay for folks.. no surprise). I've since played with the iPad Mini, and its definitely an object of beauty and just feels so right in the hand. The way the screen fills the front of the unit means you're drawn into the content.. as opposed to just peering in. Difficult to explain really.

Anyway, if they were priced the same.. it wouldn't even be worth dicussing... so the major advantage the Nexus 7 has is Price .. and if that really is your strongest driver, and its for kids I would be more tempted to get a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.. there are some spectacular offers on, with cash back. Not bleeding edge spec, but well built, good screens and better customer service than Asus/Google.

[braymond]

Having just bought an iPad mini - I would concur with the above . And I'm no apple fan boy. The picture quality is fantastic watching films / movies . Hdtvtest did a comparison of nexus vs mini screens - despite the high res the colour reproduction on the nexus is well off .
Both are great gadgets though

[Goldberg]

Had the Nexus 7, sold it after about a month and took a loss.
Always been an Apple fan and I now have an ipad mini.

BUT it is for the kids. Will they appreciate the iPad over a Nexus 7?

As stated the battery life on the Nexus 7 is poor. This I believe is down to the constant updating of apps etc.. I am sure it is easy enough to turn off though.
In addition the ipad is easier to use. I have invested so much money in Apps etc.. that I am tied into Apple for the future.

[maltloaf]

Apps is arguable. I have found nothing on iOS that I can't get on Android for over a year. I have also found most android apps to be free (albeit with ads), that are charged for on iOS.

I run several devices on both iOS and Android and in my opinion, Android apps are like fisher price versions of similar function or even the same named iOS apps. The iOS ones seem to always work that little bit better. Add to that the play store being an absolute mess then it's horses for courses and really only down to what the individual in question wants from their mobile devices.

[blaggard]

I run several devices on both iOS and Android and in my opinion, Android apps are like fisher price versions of similar function or even the same named iOS apps. The iOS ones seem to always work that little bit better. Add to that the play store being an absolute mess then it's horses for courses and really only down to what the individual in question wants from their mobile devices.

Agreed though I reckon iOS would do well to emulate the 15 no charge feature, not ALL developers subscribe to it but I'm much more likely to try an app on my S1 than my iPad. . .