There are basically two kinds of tablets: iPad by Apple and Android tablets based on Google’s mobile OS but manufactured by someone else.   Late entry is Microsoft’s Surface tablets based on Windows 8 not yet on the market. 

So what’s the difference?  Plenty between iPads and Android tablets but between one android tablet from another….not a whole lot.

First the big difference between tablets: iPad vs Android based Tablets

  iPad Android
 
Size:
  • one size for now: 9.7"
  • more square in shape like an old TV 4:3 aspect ratio

Good:
 – Suits most needs

Bad:
– DVD movies/TV shows all have black bars on top/bottom aka letterboxed since the iPad isn’t 16:9 aka HDTV like ratio
  • many sizes from 4" to coming soon 14" !!
  • some true 16:9 HDTV aspect ratio but not all. Some are 4:3 like the iPad

Good:
  – Good for webpages when hold the tablet in portrait
   – HD and DVD movies full the screen because it’s the correct ratio unlike iPad

Bad:
  – Its all in perception but when holding it in landscape even though it’s same height as iPad in resolution.  Because it’s wider due to 16:9 aspect it seems too short to surf the web or read a book when holding it in landscape
Apps:
 Plenty of apps, almost too many.

Good:
  – quality of most are very user friendly and great good graphical interface which makes them a joy to use.

Bad:
  – almost too many and impossible to find unless you know exactly what you are looking for.

 Catching up to Apple’s App Store in quantity but not in quality.

Good:
  – Because there so many android tablets out there now.  Quality developers are coming onto Android platform and producing good quality apps.

Bad:
  – Lack of control/Security and no design specification for developers to develop to.   Quality of apps various tremendously including rouge apps that act as malware.  So you have to be extra extra vigil when you download an app by checking reviews and quantity of download.  But basic good practice is if it’s a junk app like babes in thongs.  It’s more than likely a rogue malware.
Battery:
 Great battery life.  10hrs on the average all day surfing and longer if you don’t use wifi or cellular.  Awesome battery life. Getting better but not as good as the iPad.  In general most tablets last 4-8hrs depending greatly on what you’re doing on it.   This will eventually get better with better tablets but can be better already if Android OS and apps manage power like the iPad better.
Display:
 iPad 3rd gen is awesome with the new retina display.  Retina display simply means you can no longer "see" the jaggies on a curved surface like the letter O or corners of the icons.   All this means less strain on the eyes and closer to how your eyes see the world thus the name: Retina display. Android tablets have not yet released any with "retina display" resolution but they are coming.   All android tablets at the moment are as good if not slightly better than iPad 2nd generation.   This is really difficult to see and tell consciously.  It’s more at a subconscious level where you notice the jaggies and lack of definition.   The best way to describe it is the difference between 1080p and 720p HD videos which most can’t tell the difference.
Interoperability:

 		 Well, if you’re a Apple fanboy then you’re all set.  Whatever you do on a Mac you can do on an iPad.  If you’re on Windows or even Linux.  No real worries.  Most files are compatible with exception of videos.  They must adhere to mp4/h264 specifications.  There are many free tools for you to use to covert but it is a tedious process of having to convert and have two versions of the video file. Like the iPad, android is very particular about what format your video files are in.   In general, if they are Mac compatible files then they will play on android tablets.  And  with the right 3rd party movie player app you can play back other video formats.  Caveat is there isn’t any one good 3rd app that plays everything under the sun.  Please see getting videos to play on your tablet article for more info.
Ancillary:
  • GPS / A-GPS
  • 3 axis motion
  • microphone
  • front and back camera
  • wifi g/n
  • Bluetooth
  • Earphone
  • Light sensor
  • GPS / A-GPS
  • 3 axis motion
  • microphone
  • front and back camera
  • wifi g/n
  • Bluetooth
  • Earphone
  • Light sensor
  • Secure SD card slot to expand memory
  • USB port for keyboards and mouse
  • HDMI output
  • Replaceable battery
  • Keyboard docking stations
  • IR Blaser

Hands down Android tablets win this with many more physical functions than the iPad however useful they may be.   But there is one capability that is without question a true asset to have is the Secure microSD capability on most Android tablets to expand memory.

Lastly although both iPad and most Android tablets have cameras for both front and back.  iPad’s camera quality puts Android’s cameras to shame.   The quality of Android cameras are horrible compared to the iPad’s.

 

more here: Differences Between Android Tablets?

 

-Nurdologist