The Christmas shopping season is almost here once again. Usually around this time everyone is starting to compile their lists and trying to figure out what gifts they will buy for their loved ones. Sometimes the hardest people to shop for are kids that are not your own. This can be especially challenging when you don’t have any kids of your own. Hopefully, this guide will help you figure it out by comparing two of the best Christmas gifts for kids this holiday season.
Just like the iPad and other tablet computers are in demand by adults, so are tablet computers that are made for kids. The kid’s tablet computers are some of the most loved and most sought after learning toys on the market, and these products are taking over the holiday shopping season. Two of the top brands in tablets for kids are the Vtech InnoTab and the LeapPad Explorer, but which is better?
Both of these tablets are fairly comparable design wise, both are recommended for kids ages 4 and 9, both offer a wide range of learning features and applications and most important they are both on the list of the top 10 Christmas toys in 2011. Let’s compare them and see how these two tablets measure up to make the decision of which one to purchase for the children on your shopping list.
The Prices
The Vtech InnoTab costs around $80 and that makes it $20 less than the LeapPad Explorer. The price is an enticing factor for the Vtech, especially since the features of both tablets are so comparable.
But, it’s also necessary to take into account just how much it will cost down the road, and this is especially true if you are the parent, or very close to parents who may have money issues. Extra game cartridges for the LeapPad have an average price of $20 in comparison to the those for the InnoTab that cost $25. Also, please note that the Vtech InnoTab is not compatible with games from the V Reader as opposed to the LeapPad which can use the same cartridges as the Leapster Explorer. This can be important when considering these products as gifts for kids for those that all ready have those earlier products.
Design And Display Features
The overall design of both products is virtually the same. Both of these tablets for kids come with a five” color screen, both of which are touch screen and can be controlled with a stylus, both feature a tilt sensor to identify movements, and most important is the fact that both the Vtech InnoTab and the LeapPad are very durable, user friendly and attractive.
Memory
The memory differences between these two devices is notable. The Vtech InnoTab only has 64MB integrated memory, for more an SD card will have to be purchased separately. The LeapFrog LeapPad comes with a whopping 2GB, which is under most circumstances more than enough for most kids.
Camera
One big distinction in features between the two tablets is that LeapFrog LeapPad comes with a camera. This is a superb feature for kids that want to take pcitures, but are too young to own a more expensive real camera. As opposed to using the InnoTab, the LeapPad allows kids to snap pictures and record video.
Features
While both of these tablet computers for kids have a ebook reader, picture viewer as well as a video player, the LeapPad does not have an MP3 player, while the InnoTab does. But, the InnoTab does include video and photo capture tools, unlike the LeapPad.
Bottom Line
It is a hard choice to make when it comes to Vtech InnoTab versus the LeapPad Explorer. While the Vtech is cheaper, the cartridges cost more, so that $20 savings may cost much more in the long run. And LeapPad has a camera, but not an mp3 player, both of which are attractive features for kids. The bottom line for parents is to choose the features that are most important to your kids and consider the costs down the line. For those that are buying for kids that are not their own, the ultimate fact is that either one makes for a wonderful gift for kids and most any parent and child would appreciate such a thoughtful and valuable gift.