Being a big fan of Android, you might think that I would probably conclude that Android Tablets are the best. But let us not get ahead of ourselves. I have really thought about this a lot and has spend several ours debating with myself. Debating with oneself is probably the hardest to do since you can win and lose at the same time.
Don't worry, I'm not going bananas, yet.
So, let us begin the comparison shall we?
First time users of Android Tablets and iPads know that such process is pretty much easy. However, if we are talking about the noobs of the noobs, the winner for giving the best learning curve is the iPad simply because it was tailored to be handy and easy to use. Android Tablets, however, are not far from behind. It also offers easy to use features but I guess one of the strong points of Android Tablets is that it can also cater to advanced users as well. But in this round, the iPad wins.
Hardware Features
When it comes to features, the Android Tablet wins by a mile. Why? Because the Android Tablet can be a card reader, usb drive reader, usb storage itself, and easy transfer of files. The iPad fails miserably on this part. Your iPad cannot survive with that iTunes while an Android Tablet can be used to transfer files using its handy dandy USB cable. But the iPad can be a powerful feature-perfect tool if you are a Mac person. Sadly, here in the Philippines, specifically here in Davao, we are windows users.
Applications
Here's where I am in an impasse. The iPad has lots of applications in its arsenal. Even more applications compared to Android Tablets. But there are applications that I wanted to be in Android and at the same time with iPad. Both tablets are pretty much useful in everyway when it comes to applications. For example, the Android has a pretty cool document reader and can make a full use of the USB port on most Androids, but the iPad has some pretty neat tools like exploring the solar system and whatnots. iPads have the most stylish and fun to use limited apps and the Android has crude-looking but useful applications. However, the award goes to none for this round because it really depends on the students need.
Status ElevationI know this is not really a category we look into but there are some students who are simply just in it for the attention. In overall, the iPad has the WOW factor. Simply because it is seen almost everywhere in the world! From foreign TV shows to local news anchor, the iPad simply is a status elevating device. But the Android tablet is not far from behind. Still, Android Tablets got a bad rap of being a poor man's iPad because of the Chinese low quality tablets that has been popping up now and then. But it actually really depends on how you project yourself in these devices. BUT the round still goes to iPads. It is indeed status elevating.
School Work
Here is the tricky part. Tablets are getting pretty much popular these days and some schools are actually offering tablets for their students. Many of the students nowadays get tablets to be a PDF reader. Instead of carrying huge bulky books, tablets are pretty much very handy. For Highschool students, it is really depending on the lesson your teacher does and as for the college students, it all depends on your course. As I have asked Medical Students, it appears that iPad and Android Tabs are pretty much popular. Both devices can read PDFs but I have heard complaints that iPads are a pain to share PDFs. But still the applications that the iPad provides are pretty much very useful as well. As for Android Tabs, the lack of several applications are a dissapointment. As an IT student, I find Android Tabs useful since I pretty much use it for viewing powerpoints, reading pdfs, searching the internet and storing school projects through the usb or ftp (YES, Android Tabs can double as an FTP server). I can't decide who wins on this one since I haven't really interviewed enough students with Tablets. Personally, as an IT student, Android wins but as for this article, I have to be fair. No one gets a point.
Multimedia
Perhaps this is where Android Tabs shines. Multimedia is one of the strong points of an Android Tablet since it can utilize the CPU well provided that you have the right media player. Android Tabs are a pain in playing videos if you can't find the right player for your device but it really shines on just simply copying videos from your computer and can even save YouTube videos (provided, again, that you have the right app). As for the iPad, if you are a patient person, you can simply convert videos into an iPad viewable format. However, you cannot share the media easily without plugging it or syncing it through iTunes which can be a pain often times. However, the iPad shines with it's picture viewing because its built-in gallery is intuitive and flashy at best. The Android Tab, however, is not that flashy but pictures are viewable. But one thing I hate the most in iPads is how the pictures are transferred. You still need iTunes while in Android Tabs, just drag and drop, ftp it, bluetooth it, and even directly download it from any memory card with a usb card viewer. It's a no-brainer. Android wins this round.
Games
Like the Applications section, iPad has loads of nice and flashy games. Android tabs have it too but they're not as enjoyable as the ones found in the Apple App Store. Still there are some games being ported to the Android Tabs but I guess it is not enough. However, Android is quite young and it has a time to grow but Apple wins this time. Point goes to the iPad.
Conclusion
Basing on the points in this article, the iPad clearly wins. But, we also have to digest other details in this article. Basing on real-world conclusions, both tablets are pretty much useful depending on the field you are on. However, these two devices are not exactly a strong replacement from your notebook. The notebook is so far the best tool for any students, however, with some time of getting used to, you can actually use any tablet device for your schooling. Personally, as an IT student, the iPad has some of the tools I am looking for that the Android Tablet cannot provide. However, the Android Tab and all its features allow me to be far more productive in my studies. The different widgets in the homescreen allows me to remind myself for quizzes and projects. The USB functionality allows me to save an e-book and read it on the go. And some other features like easy file sharing and ftp.
As an IT student, I recommend an Android Tablet, specially those with USB capabilities.
However, as a geeky tech guy, any Tablet can be your best friend depending on the functionalities that you need.
Hope this article clears everything up.
Until Next Time...
