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I want to buy one but have no real clue .....

So what makes are good?
What should I look for?
How much will I have to spend to get a good one?
Wheres best to buy from?

HELP!!!

"So what makes are good? "

So by "IPads", do you really mean tablets?

Probably .... Like I say I know nothing!

At the risk of being laughed at ....

Whats the difference?

Marketing mainly.... your probably better off with the new Nexus 7 as its cheap and does 99% of what the iPad does, but if you want a bigger screen go for a Nexus 10 or iPad

Ah ok.

And I could get that from most bog standard retailers?

They seem to be available for between £160-£200 which sounds cheap to me

Only Apple make the IPad. They run an operating system called iOS, have their own app store for applications. The advantage of going Apple is things are generally simpler (arguably), but you pay a lot more for the brand.

The main rival to the iPad are Android operating system based tablets. You'll find hundreds of makes at prices from £50-£350. There is a fragmented market, some tablets  are stuck on an old version of Android, which may not run the latest applications. But sometimes the very latest Android applications don't run on the brand new version of Android. Due to the popularity of Android this is happening less and less.

NB: You can not use Apple applications on an Adroid device, and vice versa. Almost all major "non Apple" apps are available to both platforms.

Personally the iPAD offers nothing to me that an Android device can't do. And the **NEW MODEL** Nexus 7 is a good bet if the screen is big enough. though the old Nexus 7 might become cheaper when the new model is out. You are looking at around £200 or a bit less for a Nexus (depending on model), quite a bit more for an iPad.

I guess you need to ask yourself a few questions about what you need the device to do, then post back. eg.
  - 3G cpability or just wifi
  - Will you use it to take pictures
  - Are there specific things you want to do with it/applications you want to run on it

etc/...

Cheers Batch

Just want it to downloads movies and shit and take on holiday.  So want a decent size screen.  The Nexus 7 I just googled had a 7" screen which sounds a bit small.

Might be best off taking a trip into currys or something and having a look.

That's the best thing to do, and the first thing I advise any relative/friend that comes and asks me about Tablets. Go and have a look at some. If nothing else, you can see what the different screen sizes are like, how it feels in the hand, that kind of thing. Just don't let a salesperson trick you into buying one first visit...

If you want it for movie-watching and taking on holiday you'll likely want one with a decent battery life. There's a good list here with battery life and screen sizes: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-20080768-251/cnet-tablet-battery-life-results/

Buy cheap but twice as they say. You can get 2nd and 3rd gen iPads for decent prices these days. I'd say they are the most user friendly, and judging by your post its what you need.

I have an 2nd gen iPad which I won. It's a great little travellers toy and does everything I need it to do and plenty more besides.

That said, if I was spending my own money, I'd buy a Nexus Tablet most likely, cheaper and does everything you need it to do.

Is 2nd and 3rd gen code for 2nd and 3rd hand?

No, they're different models- see http://uk.ign.com/wikis/ipad/IPad_(3rd_Generation)

It's generation. Basically means model

Actually made me soapy tit wank

It just shows the effectiveness of Apple's brand. Just like every vacuum cleaner gets called a hoover.

I've an 18 month old Motorola Xoom. Still knocks spots off most of the tablets available these days apart from the newer high end models.

I do quite fancy a Nexus 7 for work though.

Try this out...I like CNET (the US version) for good reviews.

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-tablets/

This. I disagree with almost everything on the UK version, but the US version has yet to steer me wrong buying anything.

Honkytonk: Hadn't thought of it like that, but that's a good shout.

On Tablets in general: I've been toying with the idea of getting one, but I'm not sure I would use it much. I've been waiting for the next gen Google Nexus or the Asus Memopad 7HD. The reason being the price and the fact that they both have a camera. I am more interested in the Asus, as I figure its the same as the Nexus but has an SD card slot.

What will I do with it? Use it on holiday to read books, listen to music & play games, possibly with a bit of web surfing.

I went in Currys last night and was recommended this thing ....

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/ipad-tablets-and-ereaders/tablets/samsung-galaxy-tab-2-gt-p5110-10-1-tablet-16-gb-14643383-pdt.html

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