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Ask HN: Has the iPad Won the Tablet Wars?

20 points| fbnlsr | 4 years ago | reply

Lately I've been thinking about getting a new tablet for the house. The last one I had was a Nexus 7. It worked flawlessly and I really liked the format.

I started looking online and it seems that the only ones still alive are the iPad and the Kindle Fire.

Are there any viable alternatives or is it a done deal?

87 comments

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[+] dogma1138|4 years ago|reply
Because at every price point other than $100 throw away/kids tablets they are the best option.

Even the cheapest iPad runs like and feels like a premium product.

You get years of software support, apps do just work and battery life is great.

The last Android tablet I had was a 2015 or 14 Samsung Note 10.1 it was awesome for the time but it only received updates for like a year and despite the pen and the rest it never felt more than a large and within 6 months laggy phone.

I don’t know if Android is better now but back then they had no fucking idea what to do with tablets.

You could download an app and you would have no idea if and how it would run, this is something I’ve never experienced with an iPad.

[+] gbil|4 years ago|reply
Quick search in EU and I can't find any ipad in the 100-200 Euro range, from big retailers maybe something 2-3 years old basic model on 250 Euro. Maybe a EU thing

In any case I wouldn't buy my children a device costing twice as much as a respectable Samsung tablet that will last them 3 years at least (counting security updates: https://security.samsungmobile.com/workScope.smsb ) like Tab A7

[+] cehrlich|4 years ago|reply
There are still some not too terrible alternatives in the Android world, but overall yes the iPad has won the tablet wars.

What is a bit scarier to me is the idea that the iPad might win the general computing wars. I don't mind secondary devices being somewhat locked down for the same reason that I don't care if I can't install Linux on my microwave, but the idea that many people's entire computing experience nowadays happens on a platform that is controlled in the way that iOS is feels like bad news to me.

[+] christophilus|4 years ago|reply
I’m the same. I have left the Apple ecosystem for this reason, other than my iPhone. I must admit; the M1 is tempting me to join the dark side once again. And now that Linux is running on it…
[+] marban|4 years ago|reply
The old saying "You don't gift an Android tablet to someone you love" still applies.
[+] theshrike79|4 years ago|reply
I've switched two 60+ relatives from a cheapo supermarket laptop to an iPad + Chromecast combo.

Both are happy as clams. Zero support requests, FaceTime just works and they know they can just press the One Big Button to get to the start screen if they get lost. Combined with Chromecast on their old TVs both can stream anything to their TV for watching.

[+] ikt|4 years ago|reply
Did you just make that up...
[+] reissbaker|4 years ago|reply
IMO, the iPad is really the best option — and other than that, I'm not in the Apple ecosystem at all, so I feel fairly unbiased. But in terms of build quality, responsiveness, and overall tablet-optimized app library, nothing else really comes close.

The Surface Pro line of hybrid laptop/tablets is pretty interesting as a lightweight laptop replacement with pen support, but I suspect that's not what you're looking for in a "tablet for the house" — the OS is definitely not touch-first.

[+] pjmlp|4 years ago|reply
If you are on US most likely, outside US or countries with similar economies, hybrid laptops with detachable keyboards/touch screens running Windows have kept their kingdom, as Android tablets are mostly running phone apps on a bigger screeen and not everyone has disposable income for iPads.
[+] samwillis|4 years ago|reply
> thinking about getting a new tablet for the house

Interesting that’s how you are approaching it. We have found that tablets are very much more a “household” or “family” device than a personal one.

It’s the one serious frustration with the iPad, I wish Apple would acknowledge that this is the way a large proportion of their customers use them and enable multiple user profiles (like that have on the Apple TV).

[+] AnonHP|4 years ago|reply
> We have found that tablets are very much more a “household” or “family” device than a personal one.

> It’s the one serious frustration with the iPad, I wish Apple would acknowledge that this is the way a large proportion of their customers use them and enable multiple user profiles (like that have on the Apple TV).

After buying a few iPads over the initial years because of hardware improvements, I decided not to buy new ones anymore until iOS (then)/ iPadOS supports multiple users on each device with an easy switching mechanism.

Maybe Apple thought, with its experience in the education market where multi user profiles were supported, that it wasn’t a great experience with its hardware (especially having to download data from iCloud).

But now that iPad Pro and Macs are using the same powerful desktop class chips (perhaps with some differences) and since iPad Pros also have more RAM, the only reason not to support multiple users is to make more money (the iPad is already a small player in Apple’s portfolio).

I’m still waiting for the support to arrive. Until then, I’ll keep using my old iPad Pro till it dies.

[+] rbanffy|4 years ago|reply
You can get cheaper tablets, but it's hard to beat the value: OS updates for longer periods, decent performance, and premium build.

My daughter has a cheap Lenovo tablet and the amount of crap apps she asks authorization to install is astonishing. If feels the Android store is full of grifters (the Amazon one is worse, which is really hard to conceive).

[+] taubek|4 years ago|reply
Was there even a tablet war? Was anyone even close to iPad? I've had several Android based tablets and each one had its own quirks. With iPad you exactly know what you are getting into.
[+] pjmlp|4 years ago|reply
Laptops like the Surface.
[+] jsnell|4 years ago|reply
For a reality check compared to the echo chamber, statcounter has the iPad usage share at 55% (and stable over time):

https://gs.statcounter.com/vendor-market-share/tablet/worldw...

Analysts put the iPad market share at 34% in 2021 (modest growth):

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS48826122

(I don't know who buys or uses Android tablets these days; they were always miserable devices, and I got off that train somewhere around 2015. But it does appear that they're sold in greater numbers than iPads, and actually used a decent amount rather than just thrown into the bin.)

[+] elp|4 years ago|reply
It very much depends on which country you are in.

So for North America or anywhere with a high iphone usage it makes sense and the small amount extra for the iPad is completely justifiable, but I think in other countries it ends up coming down to price.

For the 3rd world Android phone usage is probably close to 90% so its significantly less likely those people will change OS for their tablets if they get any. Significantly lower salaries so that 30% extra for the ipad is a big one.

Then the $100 kids tablet market is HUGE. No one cares if the kids tablet is slow as long as they don't break/ are cheap to replace.

If you are using the tablet mostly for consuming (web, movies, reading) then the real difference in performance between the 2 systems is not really noticeable. The most noticeable part is the time for an app to start / switch after that performance is very comparable.

[+] christophilus|4 years ago|reply
I wonder if those tablet-based kiosks and cash registers count? Those seem to be mostly non-Apple from what I’ve seen.

Edit: I don’t think those should count, as I see them as their own category, not a tablet.

[+] gruturo|4 years ago|reply
The iPad conquered the premium tablet market and left pretty much no survivors (if we count convertible laptops separately - but even if we don't, I assume they don't really make a big dent in numbers, esp. if we checked how many are actually used in tablet mode. That's just an assumption though - reader beware).

On the low end, I guess it's more of a mixed bag, with hundreds of models from hundreds of brands, some quite ephemeral or existing on Amazon/Aliexpress/eBay only. But indeed the kindle fire stands out for delivering amazing value for money - I have 3 at home (a 10inch, and a 2-for-1 8inch promotion they run periodically) and, while they are very, very clearly no iPad, they work remarkably well once you add the Aurora store to them (admittedly not the most newbie friendly operation, but most people can find a techie friend to bribe with a pizza).

If Amazon ever puts out one with a true USB-C (capable of video out, unlike current ones), I'll try going on a short holiday with only one of these, just to see how it works out.

If they make one which ships with Google Play Store/Services out of the box (or find a legal way to proxy to the Play Store through their own), I expect they'll sell well.

[+] fmajid|4 years ago|reply
The iPad created the mainstream tablet market.
[+] tomp|4 years ago|reply
Depends why you need it for.

If you need a phone in a tablet form, buy an iPad.

If you need a computer in a tablet form, buy Microsoft Surface Go. I give nothing but raving reviews for it.

[+] darkmuck|4 years ago|reply
I enjoy my Surface Go 2 but the battery life isn't very good.
[+] devilkin|4 years ago|reply
I've tried out an iPad pro two years back. I returned it after testing for three weeks (great return policy in that particular chain).

It's magnificent hardware, but the software side was such a gigantic letdown if you're any kind of IT person. I really tried for three weeks to get used to it, but nope. It's too locked down for my use.

Things that immediately popped to mind:

* non-existant multi-tasking.

* no support for more than one user (really? wtf?)

* lack of any form of file management

* policy of the AppStore that you cannot test apps (I know this changed meanwhile)

* Certificate management is a pain unless you use Safari

* Lack of choice of apps (I really don't like apple mail)

* "The Apple way whether you like it or not".

I went with a Samsung S6 (upgraded to S7+), and I'm really happy. I can't say I'm missing anything - I've got dedicated apps for the things I want them for. The lifecycle of Android is improving - it's not to the same level yet as Apple, but we're getting there. Big pro (for me) is that you can also install 3rd party ROMs, which can extend the longevity.

[+] theshrike79|4 years ago|reply
Yes, the tablet wars were won around Android 4 when it was clear that Google didn't care about the large screen format.

My kid is around 10 and they're on their second iPad. The first one was an iPad 2 I got used and had to upgrade when it was too old to run Netflix.

The only true use-cases for Android tablets are for home automation.

With Fully Kiosk Browser[0] you can have the screen activate on camera motion and automatically load the home automation front page. Any $100 tablet can do this until the browser is too old and you can't update it. Then you throw it away and get a new one.

This is the one thing the iPad can't do. You could theoretically put it in a box and use the built-in kiosk mode to have the screen on at all times with the Home app enabled. But the screen will burn in and you'll have a bad time.

(There are some extremely ruggedised Android tablets for industrial use, but I'm not counting those)

[0] https://www.fully-kiosk.com

[+] kkjjkgjjgg|4 years ago|reply
I bought a Galaxy Tab S6 Lite last year and I prefer it over my iPad Air.

I actually think the iPad has horrible usability. My only recourse is a friend who is an Apple Fanboy and can give me hints like "you can search for apps by swiping with your finger up (or down, can never remember) from the middle of the screen". Before that, I was unable to discover apps I was sure I had installed.

Also every iOS app seems to have its own approach to navigation, as iOS doesn't have universal back and home buttons like Android.

Unfortunately Android is also copying more and more of the Apple approch and introduces undiscoverable gestures. I personally hate gestures with a passion.

But to each their own.

Where Apple my score big time is with longterm support (security updates).

Ultimately you have mostly the same apps on both platforms.

[+] tjansen|4 years ago|reply
For younger kids, the Amazon Fire 10 kids edition tablets are nice (nearly indestructible, cheap, parent controls and a lot of content if you subscribe to Kids+). If you have several kids, you can get 3 Amazon Fires for the price of an iPad. They are useful as long as kids don't need to use a browser, because Amazon's Silk is horrible. And you should probably avoid the Fire 7/8, because they are too slow... (haven't use the latest 7/8 models, but they still have slower CPUs than the 10 inch models)

But for adults, I don't think Android tablets are worth the trouble. iPads just work, while Android apps do not always work that well on tablets. Also, iPads are really fast. And while they are more expensive, they have a much higher resale value.

[+] rbanffy|4 years ago|reply
I got one (previous, non-USB-C) for reading magazines and my biggest complaint is that it's very heavy for its size. It feels much heavier than a 10" iPad and it feels very sluggish. The microSD card sometimes stops working (and since some apps were moved to it because built-in storage was running out), they become inaccessible). It's a good value for a quarter of what an iPad costs, but an iPad is a lot more than 4x more usable.
[+] AltruisticGapHN|4 years ago|reply
iPads are GREAT value. I can still count how many iPads I've had since I got into it:

- around 2011 I had an iPad 2

- resold it half a year later, granted, because I wanted the new RETINA version ... which I used until late 2016 !! It was still usable for anything but browsing, when browsing the the 512 MB RAM wasnt keeping up with the bloated web, and it wasnt holding more than one tab in memory so it was becoming a hassle, otherwise back then all my RSS apps etc worked just fine

- then I bought an iPad AIR 2 early 2017, which I am still using today! I could probably get another couple years out of this one

That's 3 iPads over 10+ years.

Nowaadatys the iPad is also pretty much a PC if you connect a USB hub you can use a keyboard, a mouse ...

[+] APock|4 years ago|reply
> Nowaadatys the iPad is also pretty much a PC

This is completely untrue and the fact that people think being able to connect a mouse and keyboard make it a PC is appaling.

The complete OS experience is terrible for anything other than the most absolute basic tasks, and there is not hardware way around that.

[+] Fire-Dragon-DoL|4 years ago|reply
Every android tablet I tried essentially has performance problems and uninteresting apps. Phone doesn't have this problem because I never game on my phone, I'd rather read a book. Given this, I suspect the problem might be related to tablets being more "leisure devices", basically a game console. Now, a game console that doesn't perform and doesn't have good games ends up in one place: the closet.

Steam deck might replace all usages of a tablet from my perspective (and Apple should be more concerned about them).

iPad it's not laggy and has good games, so that serves a purpose.

[+] rk06|4 years ago|reply
For now, yes. Just a couple of weeks back, I was looking for a tablet with decent specs and a headphone jack and a fingerprint sensor (I don’t trust face unlock). And there were zero android tablet matching that criteria. While budget iPad line has fulfilled those requirements for a couple of years.

Now, There have been many android tablets released in recent years. And if you don’t have “peculiar” needs, you might find something worthwhile.

I do not like Apple’s ecosystem. And would prefer android ecosystem. But Apple has best hardware and offers twice the longevity of an android. So, I have chosen to use iPad

[+] supernova87a|4 years ago|reply
In what sense do you not trust face unlock?