Value Tablet for Kids

Rizla · 09-20-2012, 03:05 AM

I'm looking into a tablet for kids.

They like to play games, so I figure on a 10 inch screen. Being into games, I think it's important that it has a reasonable processor and a fair amount of RAM. At the same time, I don't want to spend an arm and a leg. I am looking for value.

Wireless capability will be important.

They are kids (6 and 8) so the more robust it is the better, but I suppose all tablets are equally fragile. The location is Spain if that makes a difference.

I don't really want a very proprietary format (Amazon, Apple). The more open the platform the better. I think Android would be the best way to go with a greater offering of software. Thanks.

HarryT · 09-20-2012, 03:24 AM

I would not let any 6 or 8-year-old use a tablet. They are not toys, and will not stand up to rough treatment.

charmian · 09-20-2012, 07:10 AM

Firstly, I agree with what Harry T said.

Secondly, I do not think Android has a better tablet gaming app library than iOS. I own an Android tablet, and though I didn't buy it for gaming, I was disappointed to see that many games I wanted to play were iOS exclusive. (And there were also some available for Android, but not for my specific tablet.) However, this does depend on what kinds of games you like. If I were buying a tablet for gaming, I would buy an iPad. (Unless I were emulating)

Rizla · 09-20-2012, 08:36 AM

Less bang for your buck though, no?

arcadata · 09-20-2012, 08:41 AM

@Rizla - How about the Google Nexus? Just $199 (although.. it doesn't fit your size requirement)

(*The kids in our home prefer the IPad though and they're very careful with it - 5 years old and 10 years old)

hellraiser06 · 09-20-2012, 03:23 PM

For games, I think, 7 inch tablet is more apt.. Try playing temple run on an android 7" and a 10" and you'll know. However, iOS is a better platform for gaming, and iPad does not have a 7 incher....

But, overall, I would suggest an iPad over any other tab for gaming.. This is coming from a guy who uses ASUS transformer and the only apple product that I have is an iPod nano.

AnemicOak · 09-20-2012, 03:49 PM

My 8 year old niece uses my tablets all the time and is more careful with them than I am

. She prefers my Asus Transformer TF101 as it has a larger screen. "Older" models like the TF101 (or similar Acer models) can often be found as refurbs now for less than $200, although I don't know about shipping outside the US.

She also has an iPod Touch and there are a few games that she plays that just can't be had on Android, but it hasn't been any real problem so far.

charmian · 09-20-2012, 03:54 PM

Re: Bang for the buck.

When it comes to larger tablets, there isn't that much of a difference, especially when you compare the updated iPad2 they are also selling.

The Google Nexus 7, though, is currently the Android tablet most recommended, but it is 7".

Rizla · 09-21-2012, 03:24 AM

I'm surprised people are saying that 7" is >= 10" for games. I just assumed 10" was better.

I find tablets confusing. They all look the same to me

What are the options / issues re: CPU and RAM? Should one get one which allows memory expansion via SD-card? What kind of CPU is quick and what kind is looking slow these days?

NickyWithNook · 09-24-2012, 08:39 AM

My kids use my and their dad's iPads all the time and we've had no problems. The older one (10) has her own Nook Tablet with a N2A card and has had no problems. I have no problems with kids using tablets.

I think Apple is better than Android, but of course iPads are more expensive. I don't know that larger is necessarily better for games though. Everything is just smaller and it doesn't seem to bother my kids. They prefer the iPads but I think it's due to what games are available, not size. My daughter does a LOT of reading on the Nook Tablet, though, both when using it as a Nook, and on the Kindle app when using it as an Android tablet.

09-20-2012, 03:05 AM	#1
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	Value Tablet for Kids I'm looking into a tablet for kids. They like to play games, so I figure on a 10 inch screen. Being into games, I think it's important that it has a reasonable processor and a fair amount of RAM. At the same time, I don't want to spend an arm and a leg. I am looking for value. Wireless capability will be important. They are kids (6 and 8) so the more robust it is the better, but I suppose all tablets are equally fragile. The location is Spain if that makes a difference. I don't really want a very proprietary format (Amazon, Apple). The more open the platform the better. I think Android would be the best way to go with a greater offering of software. Thanks.

09-21-2012, 03:24 AM	#9
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	I'm surprised people are saying that 7" is >= 10" for games. I just assumed 10" was better. I find tablets confusing. They all look the same to me What are the options / issues re: CPU and RAM? Should one get one which allows memory expansion via SD-card? What kind of CPU is quick and what kind is looking slow these days? Last edited by Rizla; 09-21-2012 at 04:19 AM.

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09-20-2012, 03:24 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I would not let any 6 or 8-year-old use a tablet. They are not toys, and will not stand up to rough treatment.

09-20-2012, 07:10 AM	#3
charmian Addict Posts: 386 Karma: 1814548 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle PW2	Firstly, I agree with what Harry T said. Secondly, I do not think Android has a better tablet gaming app library than iOS. I own an Android tablet, and though I didn't buy it for gaming, I was disappointed to see that many games I wanted to play were iOS exclusive. (And there were also some available for Android, but not for my specific tablet.) However, this does depend on what kinds of games you like. If I were buying a tablet for gaming, I would buy an iPad. (Unless I were emulating)

09-20-2012, 08:36 AM	#4
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	Less bang for your buck though, no?

09-20-2012, 08:41 AM	#5
arcadata Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,230 Karma: 4651787 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle, Kindle Fire, iPad, iPod Touch, Sony PRS-350	@Rizla - How about the Google Nexus? Just $199 (although.. it doesn't fit your size requirement) (*The kids in our home prefer the IPad though and they're very careful with it - 5 years old and 10 years old)

09-20-2012, 03:23 PM	#6
hellraiser06 Yaabbaa dabba doo Posts: 76 Karma: 5348 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: India Device: Kindle Touch wifi, Kindle 3 Wifi, Asus Transformer TF101	For games, I think, 7 inch tablet is more apt.. Try playing temple run on an android 7" and a 10" and you'll know. However, iOS is a better platform for gaming, and iPad does not have a 7 incher.... But, overall, I would suggest an iPad over any other tab for gaming.. This is coming from a guy who uses ASUS transformer and the only apple product that I have is an iPod nano.

09-20-2012, 03:49 PM	#7
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	My 8 year old niece uses my tablets all the time and is more careful with them than I am . She prefers my Asus Transformer TF101 as it has a larger screen. "Older" models like the TF101 (or similar Acer models) can often be found as refurbs now for less than $200, although I don't know about shipping outside the US. She also has an iPod Touch and there are a few games that she plays that just can't be had on Android, but it hasn't been any real problem so far.

09-20-2012, 03:54 PM	#8
charmian Addict Posts: 386 Karma: 1814548 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle PW2	Re: Bang for the buck. When it comes to larger tablets, there isn't that much of a difference, especially when you compare the updated iPad2 they are also selling. The Google Nexus 7, though, is currently the Android tablet most recommended, but it is 7".

09-24-2012, 08:39 AM	#10
NickyWithNook Guru Posts: 748 Karma: 3942770 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Michigan, USA Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite (Don't use Nook anymore)	My kids use my and their dad's iPads all the time and we've had no problems. The older one (10) has her own Nook Tablet with a N2A card and has had no problems. I have no problems with kids using tablets. I think Apple is better than Android, but of course iPads are more expensive. I don't know that larger is necessarily better for games though. Everything is just smaller and it doesn't seem to bother my kids. They prefer the iPads but I think it's due to what games are available, not size. My daughter does a LOT of reading on the Nook Tablet, though, both when using it as a Nook, and on the Kindle app when using it as an Android tablet.