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TABLETS ARE INCREDIBLY handy devices, provided you know what you’re using one for. While the screen size of smartphones have gotten bigger in recent times, tablets can be used by the family for a number of activities where a laptop or smartphone might not suit the situation.
So assuming you want to get one for the family, what should you be considering?
Who is going to be using it?
It makes little sense to invest in a kids tablet if it’s intended for the entire family. That said, certain tablets designed for children use a version of Android which would mean certain stores like Google Play or Amazon’s own app store can be accessed. Provided you don’t mind using a smaller tablet
Also, Android tablets allow you to create user accounts, which makes separating kids and parent usage easy, while Windows tablets have family safety mode.
What size is the screen?
This might sound silly, but since tablets are designed for consumption, it means they’re going to be held a lot.
So for a small child, holding a tablet that’s 9-inches or larger may end up being unwieldy. Most tablets come in 7-inch formats, but some are naturally larger so keep that in mind.
How much wear and tear must it endure?
Most children tablets come with a protective casing as you may as well assume it’s going to be dropped at one point or another (accidental or otherwise) if a young child is using it.
If you get a regular tablet, it’s wise to get a protective case for it as well.
What’s it going to be used for?
Another obvious question, but since tablets are primarily designed for consumption, you need to figure out what your kids will be using it for. Will they be playing games, watching videos, reading ebooks, or using specific apps designed for children (colouring apps, learning apps, etc.).
If you’re leaning more towards the latter, then it might be better to research children tablets instead of going for the more established examples out there.
Could you replace it with a smartphone/streaming device?
As useful as tablets are, there are always times where a smartphone or laptop will better suit a task. Tablets are mainly consumption based devices (i.e. used for watching or reading) so remember that it’s not a straight swap for a laptop or smartphone.
For example, if you find that your kids watch YouTube from your phone often, investing in a device like a Chromecast might be a better alternative.
What’s your budget?
Probably the most important consideration for parents. The price of tablets vary wildly Children tablets are usually below €150, the majority of 7-inch Android tablets are priced around the €100 – €250 mark while more premium tablets like the iPad air would start at €489 and rise depending on how much storage you need.
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Be sure to delete the browser history before the kids use it. Yes dads im talking to you.
Go incognito.
If you have more than one child buy them one each of the exact same model and colour and put a sticker on them to tell them apart the iPads not your kids you should be able to tell your kids apart,to avoid serious headaches
Why only Dads in the words of David Brent “women are just as filthy as men”
Of you’re using Android just set up different user accounts for everyone.
If all the family using it – don’t bloody sync it with your phone….!
I was reading a book on the tablet and my husbands google hangout message came up. He was engaging in banter with a co worker. When another flashed up saying ‘I hope she isn’t on the tablet at home’ I decided to join in mortifying them both. Its happened a few times.
Buy a cheap tablet from china to start kids off. 50-100 euro price range with all the specs of more expensive models.
What website do you use?
My sister in law has her 1.5 year old using one. Sorry but that’s just wrong. Our child won’t get one till he’s at least 4 or 5. Its sad seeing young kids with their heads stuck in them not interacting with the world.
Agree 100% family guy. their so little and their imaginations never get a chance to develop or their social skills. Will be interesting to see what happens in schoolyards in a few years. Parents use them to keep the kids quiet, all the time forgeting kids arent meant to be quiet, theyre meant to be kids
Fair Enough but sometimes you need a few minutes get something done without kids interrupting you
You can buy an iRulu 7″ Tablet on eBay for €40. I bought one about 8 months ago and it’s given me no problems.
Like peeing maggie? I miss the days i could pee in peace…..
How about considering not getting one and getting back to the ancient art form of conversation and human interaction?
……says he putting down his phone. True, but the problem is so epidemic we need to use the technology to get the message across.
We, as humans,can multi task, there’s room for conversation, reading and ipad usage
Unfortunately schools are now drifting towards iPad on a daily basis ,
Nothing wrong with ipads,and lets think of the future, ipads, and similar,are going to be part of everyday life, its just progress. Once we had slates and chalk, nothing stands still
iPads are not the problem, correct. Over use of them is the problem.
With my kids it limit usage to a couple of hours at the weekend. We now converse as a family.
We use technology too much.
I don’t need to check the news 18 times a day. If something significant happens I will hear about it.
Talk
Read
Radio
That’s the way to go. Not head stuck in some iPad detaching from life. iPad is fine but jeep it in it’s place and limit usage.
Can picture all these kids sitting around like zombies playing on their tablets at lunchtime instead of kicking a ball around or playing tag. The future is bleak
Not really, ipads are just something that is part of life, there will always be time for physical activity
They are part of life if you let them be. I decide if the iPad becomes part of my family. It is not compulsory and I can get by fine without one or using it very little.
I bought a hudl from Tesco up the north for my 6 year old brilliant android tablet would recommend
Am the owner of http://www.tablets.ie so i think i should help in giving some advice here, If you’re set on buying a tablet you’re going to get a glorified smartphone without the phone, I’ve gone through a fair range on tablets myself as i’m a gadget freak but if you want to get something that’s value for money grab yourself a Chromebook http://tablets.ie/pages/google-chromebook.php (i know that doesn’t go well with what i sell but just been honest)
Tom have you seen the new skylanders tablet that smyths are advertising? Any good for 7 year old?(Sorry for hijacking the thread)
I’m not familiar with them sam sorry, but before i started tablets.ie i had kidstablets.ie and from feedback from customers if a tablet is fairly cheap well just expect what you pay for. That’s why i mentioned the Chromebook, That’s the only device i’ve personally found great value for money if you’re looking for a device to surf the net. I’ve an 11 year old son who i use for testing :-) If there were a range of Tablets and a Chromebook in front of him to choose from to play with he’d use the chromebook every time. Also as far as i know shortly you’ll be able to use android apps on a chromebook as google and doing an upgrade.
A missing question. Do you care at all about value for money?
If the answer is yes there are only about 3 tablets that you should consider the kindle fire HD, the nexus 7 and the nexus 10
Have avoided getting one as really haven’t needed one and the kids aren’t that interested in games etc. Back studying by distance learning and while I have the laptop I was wondering about getting a tablet as I need to research a lot of on-line papers and write up reports quickly. Thinking it’s probably better to trade-up laptop wise but any tech-savvy people out there on tablets that are used to write up documents and papers etc? Any point?
Windows Surface 3
Upgrade laptop. Tablets are still a one-trick device, fundamentally. (I have no idea why you were redthumbed for asking this, incidentally)
I know! It was a genuine question! Thanks, think you are right. Reckon if I got one it would just be taken over by the kids!
Thanks anyhow
Have a samsung galaxy tab and while i adore it its a bugger to type anything longer than a brief email with and always go back to the laptop for more word heavy work. Would agree with upgrading the laptop
There is very little a good ipad cannot do that is equal to a laptop. Get a wireless keyboard and you can use it exactly as a laptop, plus less weight and far more portability. Dont know why you call them one trick ponies
Stay away from apple too limited unless your an idiot. They’re great for idiots.
If it’s better or worse than a blue ghost
Must check the news on my iPad for the 15th time today. Must also check Facebook to see if any of my friends have just had lunch. Must also check if it’s raining in Moscow at the moment.
I must get a life :)
We’ve had 4 tablets. The first was a cheap one that wouldn’t work properly so it was changed to a Samsung 7″. This did my son fine but he preferred his dads mobile still. My daughter then got an iPad mini which she is happy with and my son likes to steal on her. I got an iPad 4 which everyone prefers to use. They use them mostly for YouTube and reading. If I’m getting anymore tablets, they will be full size ipads, they just seem to prefer them. If anyone is interested their aunty bought the ipads as refurbished ones from Apple US and sent them over as gifts. Saved a huge amount of money compared to the price over here. They were brand new in the box.
Agreed, many try alternatives but end up with ipads. There is, in the end, no substitute for quality
Just returned 2 Google Nexus 7 tablets to Argos as both developed dodgy mini USB ports. They were ok tablets but you couldn’t charge them and frankly they were average build quality. Replaced them with 1 iPad mini which is overpriced, but the build quality, operating system and display is just light years ahead. Apples pricing structure does them no favours, but there products are built to last
Have an original iPad. Still going strong.
Get a Chromebook. Tablets aren’t designed for the type of work you plan doing.
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