Tablet PC's for Tweens? What are the alternatives to the iPad?

Apple iPad 2 for your tween?
Are there some alternatives?

The most wished for item in Amazon's tablet computer offerings is...no surprise...the Apple iPad 2.  Many tweens have high hopes of owning the latests and greatest in tablet technology, and when it comes to tech gifts, it's often a battle to keep our budgets in check, with the costs of some of the most trendy gadgets tweens can find.  Nevertheless, there are plenty of tablet PC's out there.  Following, we will take a look at some of the bestselling tablets.


Amazon's top selling tablet is the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer:

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101-A1 10.1 inch Tablet Computer
Click image for current pricing and availability at Amazon
Generally sells at $399.99, for 16 GB version, $499.99 for 32 GB version

• Operating System: Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) Platform
• Display: 10.1-inch WSVGA IPS capacitive multi touch display built with durable and scratch-resistant glass; 178° viewing angle(1280 x 800)
• Chipset: NVIDIA^® Tegra^™ 2 Mobile Processor
• Memory: 1GB DDR2
• Wireless: 802.11b/g/n
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR
• Storage: 16GB eMMC Flash (Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 32 GB (functionality requires future software upgrade)
• Camera: 1.2 megapixel (Front); 5.0 Megapixel (Rear)
• Speakers: SRS Sound
• Card Reader: Micro SD Card Reader
• Input / Output: 1 x Mini HDMI, 2-in-1 audio jack (head phone/mic-in jack), internal mic
• Battery Pack: 24.4 W/h Li-polymer battery (up to 9.5 hours)¹
• Dimensions: 10.67" x 6.89" x 0.47" –inches (W x D x H)
• Weight: 1.5lbs

Another top selling option:  Samsung Galaxy Tablet (wi-fi)

Samsung Galaxy Tablet with wi-fi
Retails at $349.99

• Android Froyo (2.2); CPU: 1GHz A8 Cortex Processor;
• Battery: Li-Polymer, 4000mAh
• Memory: 16GB Internal Memory; Up to 32GB Expandable Memory (microSD)
• WiFi: 802.11 a/b/g/n; USB 2.0; Bluetooth 2.1 Connectivity
• Audio: MP3, OGG, AAC, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, WMA, FLAC, WAV, MID, AC3, RTTTL/RTX, OTA, i-Melody, SP-MIDI
• Display: 7.0" WSVGA Display; 600 x 1024 Pixel Display Resolution; 3.54" x 6.05" Display Size; 16M TFT Display Technology
• Video: Codec: Mpeg4, H.264, H.263, Divx/XviD Format: 3gp(mp4), wmv(asf), avi(divx), mkv, flv

ViewSonic gTablet with 10" Multi-Touch LCD Screen, Android OS 2.2: 5th best selling tablet at Amazon

ViewSonic gTablet
$299.99

CPU: Nvidia Tegra 2 T20 Dual cortex A9(1Ghz) OS: Android OS 2.2

Browser: Android Browser Adobe Flash support

Video Support: MPEG-4/H.264/VC-1,1080P Multitasking Multitouch

Webcam No Phone support No I/O: 1 mini USB,1 mini HDMI Base Storage 16G

Expandable memory: Micro SD card slot support up to 32 GB Sensors

Superpad 10.2" Tablet PC, Google Android 2.1: 6th Bestselling Tablet at Amazon

Superpad 10.2" Tablet with Google Android 2.1
$199.99 (or less, on sale)

Product Features

• 10.2" Android 2.1 Tablet PC Touch
• Screen+WIFI+3G+GPS+Camera+HDMI+RJ45

Processor, Memory, and Motherboard

• Hardware Platform: PC
• Processor: Unknown
• Number of Processors: 1
• RAM: 256 MB
• RAM Type: DDR DRAM

Hard Drive

• Size: 2 GB

As tablet PC's go, they may seem a little bit pricey, compared with tween gadgets such as iPod Touch, and Netbooks.  As a parent of tweens, and an educator who has worked with this age group, as well, there are some definite concerns with this type of device.  My first reservation would have to do with judgement and responsibility issues.  This is a device that could be handled rather carelessly, to say the least, and if my tween were to use a tablet PC, it would be under careful supervision.  Even my most responsible tweens have had some mishaps.  Misplaced glasses?  Handheld gaming systems?  If you've experienced these with your tween, then it doesn't take much to think through the ramifications of such a mishap with an iPad, or any other tablet.  

On the other hand, when it comes to an iPod or smartphone, the size stresses my own eyes, and I don't like the idea of encouraging eye strain in my tweens.  Given the choice of an iPod touch, or an inexpensive tablet PC, I prefer the size of the tablet. 

8GB iPod Touch

If you are considering a tablet as a means of equipping your tween with an amplified ereader device, the cost of Kindle, particularly the Kindle with special offers, is much safer, should a mishap take place.

Kindle with Special Offers
The latest generation of Kindle choices
includes a basic Kindle, priced as low as $79.

In recent months, Amazon rolled out the new Kindle Touch, a touchscreen tablet ereader which also includes web browsing, email, and apps.  In conjunction with the announcement of Kindle Fire, a tablet that costs $199, the other members of the Kindle family have seen price adjustments.  The Kindle Fire promises to be a great tablet choice, at 40% of the cost of the most basic iPad.  There will be digital streaming of video and music, ereading (in color), web browsing, and android apps.

Meanwhile, in staying competitive, Barnes and Noble has introduced the Nook Tablet, costing $249, and has lowered the price of the Nook Color to $199.  The simple Nook Touch is now $99.


If you want more function than that of an ereader, a netbook is a great choice, and I'm much more comfortable with what I've seen in the ASUS versions.  Not to be handled haphazardly, of course, the ASUS netbooks still feel and appear as if they can withstand the close calls a tween will inevitably have.  Setting ground rules is essential, but I would prefer the combination of functions, size, and casing, to the fragility of a tablet.

ASUS EeePc 10.1 inch Netbook
$249.99 at Amazon

If you are intent on any tablet PC for your tween, serious discussion about responsibility is important, as well as protective casing.  An extended warranty is highly recommended for any tween device.

Tween iPod Choices: Nano vs. iPod Touch

Apple products are very much a favorite with tweens and teens, particularly in the last several years with the continued improvements to the top selling mp3 players, iPod and iPod touch.  There are many factors to take into consideration, as you consider which iPod to purchase for your tween, as both the iPod Nano, and the iPod touch, are quality devices.

Cost may be your deciding factor, as the Nano is the less expensive option of the two.  You can purchase the 8GB iPod nano for approximately $135, and the 16GB iPod nano for $165 (scroll over/click images below for current pricing at Amazon).

8GB iPod Nano

The iPod touch, meanwhile, ranges from $210 for the 8GB model, to $275 for the 32GB model, to $365 for a 64GB version.

32 GB iPod Touch

Cost not withstanding, some of the other considerations you may want to take into account, when it comes to an iPod for your tween, will be the use of the device.  While the iPod nano is less versatile than the iPod touch, this can be a great thing for a tween.  Most parents can appreciate a tween's desire to listen to music, and there is nothing quite so great as being able to create custom playlists, and to organize one's music his own way.  Nano is fantastic to this end.  So is iPod touch.  However, with tweens, it's good to limit the technology, to some degree.  While iPod touch has additional use as an internet browser, and has lots of games, calculator and dictionary apps, movie viewers, and even ereader apps, this all can be very distracting to the tween.

Tweens can be very undisciplined and disorganized.  I've raised several, and taught hundreds.  Parents really need to be in charge of technological access, and the disorganized tween will not improve with unrestricted access to a multi-use device.  As a parent, I prefer the Nano to the iPod touch, because my tweens can enjoy their music, and personalize their listening experiences, but don't cause me frustration in neglecting school work, and other responsibilities, as I feel they would if they had something more involved.

On the other hand, the older tween can make good use of the apps available for an iPod touch.  If your tween has demonstrated self-control, and the ability to manage his or her time well, the iPod touch is a versatile tool.  As a parent, if you decide to give your tween an iPod touch, be sure to continue supervising its use, and restrict the use of the iPod if grades slide, or chores are neglected.

Your tween will have his or her own preferences.  However, parental determinations will be the final deciding factor.  Emphasize responsibility, regardless, as an iPod is a significantly priced tool.

Read more about the various iPod choices, as they relate to tweens.

Netbooks for Tweens

While netbooks have been on the market for several years, the netbook of today is already much more advanced than those of a few years ago.  The memory used on netbooks has expanded, and current netbooks generally come with the latest Windows operating systems, whereas the first netbooks were restricted to an older verison. 

Additionally, style has become integral in the latest netbooks, with colorful options.  Size is compact, but not nearly as small as some of the handheld gaming and mp3 devices.  When you consider a technology gift for your tween, a netbook permits ereading, as well.  The portability makes it possible for your tween to find a comfy spot to do school research, and netbooks have become popular school computing solutions in many households, where funds are limited, but access to technology, important.  

I find that a full sized laptop is awkward for my tweens and teens to handle, and we have had some close calls when it is in use.  A netbook is much more suitable in size, and perhaps, just a bit safer when it comes to mishaps.  If you will need to load information from  or to a DVD-rom or CD-Rom, you will need an external hard drive.  However, many netbooks are coming with software for Microsoft Office, and other software, pre-loaded;  all you need to do is enter a product key.  If you have already purchased Office for students, to use on another computer, your product key will allow its use on another device, up to the number of permitted devices per purchased program.  What a nice convenience.

Many top names in computer products produce netbooks, including Dell and HP.  However, Asus and Acer have really focused in on the platform, and have the most economical options.  In fact, the most gifted netbook on Amazon is the ASUS Eee 10.1 inch Netbook, with 1 GB memory, and a 250 GB hard drive.

Asus EEE PC 1001PX-EU27-BK
Most gifted netbook at Amazon:
Click image for current pricing details.

ASUS EEE PC 1001PXD-EU17-BK
This 10.1 inch netbook is the more recent version of the
Asus netbook shown above, available in Black, Blue, and White.
Click image for up to date pricing.

Get Your Tween Reading

Do you need a summer plan for your tween, or for your teen, for that matter?  Put a virtual library right in your tween's hands, with Kindle Ereader.  Kindle is available as a wi-fi only device, or with free 3g access, if you are willing to spend a little bit more.  A virtual library is accessible through your household wireless network, or via ATT 3g.  If that's not good for your budget, there is the cost effective Kindle with special offers, now...available beginning May 3, 2011.  The special offers include sponsored screen savers, as well as offers from Amazon partners such as Audible.com.

Did you know that Kindle could also handle MP3 files?  Audio books are a great way to help your reluctant reader, particularly if that child is an auditory learner.