Should you buy an Apple iPad or an Android tablet?

iPad (/ˈaɪpæd/ EYE-pad) is a line of tablet computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc., which runs Apple's iOS. The first iPad was released on April 3, 2010; the most recent iPad models, the iPad Air and second generation iPad Mini, were revealed on October 22, 2013 and went on sale November 1, 2013, and November 12, 2013, respectively. The user interface is built around the device's multi-touch screen, including a virtual keyboard. The iPad has built-in Wi-Fi and, on some models, cellular connectivity. There have been over 170 million iPads sold since its release in 2010 (as of October 2013).

Tablets are a wonderful choice for anyone who wants a portable, connected, large display device. While the jury is still out on whether they are best for content consumption or creation (we think they can do both), there are few who will deny that tablets are here to stay. If you've decided to indulge yourself and get a tablet, the foremost question in your mind would be whether you should buy the most popular tablet, the Apple iPad, or its strongest and usually cheaper competitor, an Android tablet. Both these gadgets have their pros and cons, so here are some features that you should consider before taking a decision.

Software and apps
Anyone who has used the iPad will tell you that the true strength of the device is its software and vast app repository. The iTunes App Store has applications for just about everything you would want, from word processing and checking your blood pressure to hardcore gaming and video editing. Android is catching up fast in this department, but it's not there yet. However, it does handle social networks more seamlessly and usually provides a better Web browsing experience due to its support of Adobe Flash, which Apple lacks. Currently, the iPad is leading, not least because of the number of malware scares we have had on Android. My choice: The iPad

Hardware
In terms of hardware, it's a close battle between the iPad and its Android counterparts. If budget is not a constraint, Android would seem to hold the edge with faster processors (some have quad core processors), more powerful cameras (up to 8 megapixels) and, in most cases, easily expandable memory. However, the iPad scores on the most important facet of the tablet-the display. The new iPad's retina display is better than anything Android tablets can offer currently. You will have to choose between the best display and the best innards.
My choice: Pick an Android tablet if you want faster processor speed and high-megapixel cameras, but buy an iPad if you want an awesome display.

Ease of use and performance
Both Android tablets and the iPad have simple, icon-driven interfaces. However, where they tend to differ is in the Apple's consistent interface across all its devices (all iPads run iOS 5.1). Android tablets, on the other hand, tend to look and behave differently on the surface, thanks to the layers placed by manufacturers (Sense by HTC, TouchWiz by Samsung) and the fact that they run different versions of Android (currently, tablets are running Android 2.2, 2.3, 3.0, 3.1 and 4.0). Also, the single button interface of the iPad is far easier to handle for most newcomers.
If you consider hardware benchmarks, the leading Android tablets would take a beating. However, the stark fact is that because of the number of Android tablets in the market (there are more than a dozen right now), it is difficult to measure them by a standard benchmark. Some Android tablets perform very well, others less so. Apple scores here once again, mainly because of its standardized hardware and software combination. Two iPads of the same generation will behave alike, while two Android tablets running the same software, but from different manufacturers, will not.
My choice: The iPad

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