Apple has continued to make a compelling experience for users with the iPad. Easy form and function playing to the masses. Not a one size fits all but one size fits most.
There are many android tablets out there. I have an original Galaxy Tab 7″ with AT&T. Now that I have it I don’t think that I could go for very long without it. I do more than just play Angry Birds. Work, Play and web browsing just makes things quick and easy. Evernote, Any.Do, Kindle, Music and Navigatiion are my most used apps. I like it because when I am at the office I can easily slip it into my pants pocket and keep my hands free while in the lab.
The real problem that I see with android tablets is that there are too many cheap throw together models. This really breaks the confidence of the consumer. Buy an $89 no name device that crashes a lot or never is updated or buy an iPad that is backed by a big company. Most people will head the Apple way. Google needs to pull back the distribution of the android system to just be available to elite hardware manufacturers. Like Samsung, ASUS and Motorola. Google needs to create a certified tablet type, just like Intel has done with ultrabooks. Buy a “Platinum Android Tablet” and be assured of quality and O/S updates.
Now Microsoft has thrown their hand into the arena with the Surface tablets. For businesses I can see where this type of device could work, The pro model running full Windows 8, where you can run desktop applications that connect to your business system. You could probably erase the thing and load Windows 7 back on it and really be productive. The key is going to be price. If you sell the Pro for $999 you kill it. no one will buy it because iPads are less and can still remote into your network infrastructure. Price the Windows RT version at $599 and still no one will buy it, no apps, no desktop, If google releases a $200 tablet that can run remote desktop apps why would you buy the Windows RT device? You won’t. ( FYI Microsoft, Windows RT = Stupid, Consumer UNFriendly )
What to do? First off if you don’t need a tablet, don’t buy one. If you do need a tablet get one with a good brand name that is the size you are comfortable with and at a price you can afford. Whether that is an iPad or Android device, just head to the store and play with them. All the core apps are on both iPad and Android. More tech people lean to android where main stream pick up iPads.