Choosing a tablet for 7 yr old

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berry

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#179310 3-Sep-2015 15:21

Does anyone have any thoughts on tablets for kids? They will mostly play games and might watch the odd movie (e.g on car trips).

We've looked at a few and think i've narrowed it down to either nextbook 7.85" android 4.4 for $129 or hp stream 7 windows for $134
Both have front and rear cameras, similar processors, microsd slots, and we have decided 7" will be big enough for them and dont really want to spend much more as we will be buying two. The HP has 32gb storage which is nice, whereas the slightly bigger screen might be nice too.

I guess the main thing is whether windows or android is better? Or does it not make much difference? Dad and older brother have windows laptops, i have a macbook so none of us have used android. Currently no tablets in the house.

Thanks!

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#1379175 3-Sep-2015 15:28

My kids got them WiFi only iPad minis. They're happy. Too good for 5 year olds but heh

jaymz

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#1379220 3-Sep-2015 15:41

My gut feeling is that you will want to go with the android tablet. the reason why is that they will have friends who will have tablets who will suggest games to get and play, and most of them will either have android or IOS tablets so finding those games will be easy. Windows is a bit limited to the selection of games and apps.

I got my two step kids the samsung galaxy tab lite for xmas last year ($169 i think) and they come with a samsung app called "Kids Mode" which is brilliant. It allows the kids to play all the games you assign but stops all the annoying ads and stuff that would let them download other apps and go online (they are 6 and 8 so we dont want to allow them online just yet)

berry

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#1379229 3-Sep-2015 15:55

@zocster - lucky kids!!

@jaymz - that's exactly the sort of tips I'm looking for - didn't think of the friends factor. We looked at the Samsung tab 7 lite but it's over $200 at the moment. Might keep an eye out for specials as $169 might be do able. Thanks!

zocster

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#1379256 3-Sep-2015 16:23

i figured since they be using the ipad at school they can take all those 'learning apps' home with them, is all, but yeah, for your issue, I guess android is the way to go.

Handsomedan

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#1379261 3-Sep-2015 16:27

My kids have both got iPad mini's as well.

If I was doing it all over again, I'd probably still pick iPads.

In saying that, I have friends that have bought their kids the Windows-based tablets and they love that they are "like a proper computer" and yet still very much a tablet.

Depends on whether the kids are used to Windows or not as to whether they'll appreciate the platform or not.

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xpd

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#1379265 3-Sep-2015 16:36

Can get earlier model iPads from EBGames cheap, might not handle latest iOS but could be something worth looking at as a cheap option.

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berry

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#1379344 3-Sep-2015 18:49

@xpd - thanks, I did not know that, might check that out too.

As nice as the iPad mini would be I just don't have a spare $1000 to spend! They are only with us on the weekends so wouldn't be using these for school.

I'm leaning towards android, I'm sure they'll figure out how to use it if they don't already know!

JimmyH

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#1379397 3-Sep-2015 20:55

Personally, I would buy the cheapest droid that will do the job.

Kids that age can be pretty hard on delicate equipment, and one drop onto a hard surface is all it takes. You want something that won't make you wince too hard if you have to replace it after they break it.

scuwp

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#1379404 3-Sep-2015 21:10

Our kids have always had iPads, by virtue of hand-me-downs when mum and dad have upgraded. I would personally be careful of buying anything too old in Apple as they have a tendency to suddenly not upgrade the OS, then you are stuck with only installed current apps.

Whatever you get make sure they have a good cover as well. Found the iPads to be valuable for car travel, and the educational apps/games are amazing. Once they get a bit older however YouTube rulz!!!

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Jase2985

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#1379414 3-Sep-2015 21:30

JimmyH: Personally, I would buy the cheapest droid that will do the job.

Kids that age can be pretty hard on delicate equipment, and one drop onto a hard surface is all it takes. You want something that won't make you wince too hard if you have to replace it after they break it.

my son has had access to an ipad2 from about 18 months old, for educational games etc. hes pretty good about taking care of if.

Hes better/knows more about using it than his mother does and hes about to turn 3.

Ipads are great, just not the cheapest.

roobarb

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#1379431 3-Sep-2015 22:11

berry: Does anyone have any thoughts on tablets for kids? (e.g on car trips).

...

I guess the main thing is whether windows or android is better?

Strongly recommend Windows, most cars already have one for each passenger, iSpy is a useful application.

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berry

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#1379605 4-Sep-2015 10:59

JimmyH: Personally, I would buy the cheapest droid that will do the job.

Kids that age can be pretty hard on delicate equipment, and one drop onto a hard surface is all it takes. You want something that won't make you wince too hard if you have to replace it after they break it.

Yeah - these kids are in this category. I'm sure some kids are great at looking after stuff but I think I would be thoroughly pissed off if they broke an ipad. at least with a $100 option then I can handle that better.

Good point about older iPads. If we had hand me downs to pass on then might be a different story.

Cheers for all your replies people!

Geektastic

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#1379982 4-Sep-2015 21:01

No kids but if I did I'm not sure I'd want them having anything computer related until they were about 13. What's wrong with books?!

scuwp

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#1379985 4-Sep-2015 21:18

Geektastic: No kids but if I did I'm not sure I'd want them having anything computer related until they were about 13. What's wrong with books?!

Your kids would be intelligent, witty, well read...social outcasts! Jeez drive them to school in a horse and cart why don't you. Ha Ha.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Jase2985

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#1380035 4-Sep-2015 22:20

Geektastic: No kids but if I did I'm not sure I'd want them having anything computer related until they were about 13. What's wrong with books?!

and have them grow up so far behind the 8 ball when it comes to technology?

my 3 year olds daycare use tablets and laptops for education videos and activities. my son know how to use the buttons on the IPad and can use the number pad.

look at jobs these days you need to have computer skills, the sooner you start the better you will be, generally speaking

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