Christmas Gift For My Daughter: iPad? Kindle Fire?

[MarcZ]

My daughter is wanting an iPad for Christmas and I'm not sure I want to spend that kind of money on it. Would the Kindle Fire be a better option? By the way, she is 10.

I've split this off from the old Kindle thread so that it gets the attention it deserves
-ViRGE

 

[CuriousMike]

My daughter is wanting an iPad for Christmas and I'm not sure I want to spend that kind of money on it. Would the Kindle Fire be a better option? By the way, she is 10.

Consider the Google Nexus 7
http://www.google.com/nexus/7/

 

[darkewaffle]

On one hand the Kindle/Nexus/Nook lines tend to be far better values dollar for dollar, on the other hand if she wants an iPad just because it's an iPad not because she wants a tablet, you may want to re-consider altogether [not because she wants an Apple product, but because she wants something expensive for the 'wrong' reasons].

 

[preslove]

There's also the iPad mini.

 

[Sloper]

iPad Mini.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Teach her EARLY

She can't always have what she wants. More valuable lesson than some overly expensive/stupid tablet that will waste her time anyways.

And if you do decide to get her one, for god sakes don't get her an apple product and limit yourself.

 

[bigrash]

Get her the ipad mini or Nexus 7.

 

[Chocu1a]

Kindle fire would be the perfect gift for a child. The ipad or mini is just too expensive for a child.

 

[badb0y]

If she asked for an iPad get her an iPad. You don't have to spend 500$ to get the full sized one you can just get her the mini which is just as good (except the screen).

 

[JACKHAMMER]

The Kindle would be the better choice. It's cheaper than the ipad, plus has the more robust content ecosystem. Are you a prime member, being one certainly increases the value of the Kindle. My guess would be the parent control features are better on the Kindle than the nexus device. If not the Kindle, I would go with the ios device that bests fits your budget.

 

[Phynaz]

If she asked for an iPad get her an iPad. You don't have to spend 500$ to get the full sized one you can just get her the mini which is just as good (except the screen).

This.

 

[nickbits]

I'd get her a mini. I don't think xmas is the best time to teach "you don't always get what you want". She will not be happy with a Kindle fire. Most likely all her friends have iPads and then she will be the outcast.

 

[s44]

I don't think xmas is the best time to teach "you don't always get what you want".

Sure, when you're talking about $50 toy sets. But a $350 tablet? You gotta be kidding me.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I have the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 and it's a great device for consuming Amazon content with an Amazon Prime subscription. But as a real tablet it pales considerably against the iPad and Nexus 7. It's a little slow, and requires rooting to get access to Google's apps, such as Play and YouTube.

Nexus 7 is a great tablet. But for a child I think an iPad or iPad mini is a much better choice. The apps are still better and a lot more games.

 

[Vdubchaos]

The apps are still better and a lot more games.

I don't understand why people keep saying this about Apps on Apple.

How are Apple store apps better?

I found it to be quite the opposite. Apple not only charges you for apps that are completely free on Android. They also prevent your device from playing some apps to get you to buy their new product.

It's been 3 years and I still have never purchase 1 app on Android (simply never had a need to).

 

[jpeyton]

Android 4.2 on the Nexus 7/10 has multi-user support, so your daughter can have her own set of apps, settings and parental controls applied.

And if you're on a budget, Android is a lot more wallet friendly. A Nexus 7 is $199, vs. $329 for an iPad Mini.

 

[preslove]

7" tablets run smartphone apps fine. I had no issue with getting games for my rooted nook color.

10" tablets are a different story, however.

If you don't want to spend more than $300, get a nexus 7.

 

[HN]

if she asked for a tablet then the debate between one or the other is worthwhile.

if she asked for an ipad and you get her a not-ipad, you probably will have been better off getting her something different entirely.

 

[TuxDave]

I don't understand why people keep saying this about Apps on Apple.

How are Apple store apps better?

I found it to be quite the opposite. Apple not only charges you for apps that are completely free on Android. They also prevent your device from playing some apps to get you to buy their new product.

It's been 3 years and I still have never purchase 1 app on Android (simply never had a need to).

This is a rathole but I'll still mistakenly comment. If you really want to talk more about it, PM and we can compare a list of top gaming apps (I don't have access to an Android device, I'm guessing you don't have access to an iOS device). Let me know.

As for the OP, iPad hands down.

 

[MarcZ]

Thanks for the good suggestions. I am thinking the ipad mini at the moment. As far as the people that don't think I should give her what she wants, its not about that. I am a believer that our children need to understand technology because it will play a large part in whatever career you choose down the line. Will she use it for games, skype, browsing... I'm sure she will. But having a device that can also teach is valuable outside of the money spent on it.

 

[Chocu1a]

Little 10 year old kids don't know an iPad from a fire. Most people call every tablet an iPad. Unless you have lots of disposable income, they will break an iPad in less than a year.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Honestly, android doesn't compete in tablets. iPad wins hands down.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

The Nexus 7 is better than the iPad Mini and significantly cheaper so I would give it a serious look.

Despite what the iFanboys claim Android has plenty of apps with tablet support.

 

[ponyo]

Little 10 year old kids don't know an iPad from a fire. Most people call every tablet an iPad. Unless you have lots of disposable income, they will break an iPad in less than a year.

Say what? 10 yr old kid is ~5th grader. Even most 1st graders know what an iPad is. My 9 yr old daughter knows how to use her iPad better than me. My 4yr old nephew who's in preschool know what an iPad is and has his own. My 2yr old cousin has his own iPad and know how to play Wizard of Oz and Barnie using Air Video. That is the beauty of the iPad. Children and grandparents can figure it out and use it.

The way I look at it is you either buy them what they want or not buy them at all. Fire is not iPad substitute.

 

[MrX8503]

iPad mini. The kids games/apps/education is much better on iOS. Android tablets have smartphone blown up apps. Plus, iOS is easier to use.