I think you have more choices in the US in than we have in Australia, but here the main alternatives are Motorolla Xoom, Toshiba Thrive, Asus Transformer and iConia. There is also Playbook, but that has been a bit of a flop. The androids listed above are all pretty much the same. The Thrive has more inputs (USB etc) but is heavier. The Transformer has a slot for a keyboard. The iConia I have heard has build quality issues. I want to buy an Android myself and presently I am leaning towards the Xoom.
The nicest of the Androids though is the Samsung Galaxy but it doesn't have a USB port which I think is the main attraction of an Android over iPad. But that is banned for sale here due to Apple suing Samsung for copying their form factor.

If you want cheaper than those options again there is Kindle Fire. There are also cheap no name brands with resistive screens. Cheap but crap. But some people say they are okay for the money.

I would be very, very careful buying a tablet that isn't an iPad. Most of them are garbage.

Honestly, for the price, I don't know why you'd get any Android tablet other than the Kindle Fire. Honeycomb (which all other tablets use) is a bit of a disaster, and there's no guarantee any will get upgraded to ICS.

Do you know what she want's to use it for? If all she wants to do is read, surf the web, and watch movies, the Kindle Fire is the winner for sure.

Lots of discussion in the other thread about Kindle Fire, tablets, etc. IMO, if you're not keen on iPad then don't get her a tablet.

Yay, RSC!

Here's some tablets to compare:

http://www.theverge.com/products/compare/2506/3997/3767/3137/2750

Also, iirc, you can't get the Samsung Galaxy w.out a data contract from a phone company.

"if you're not keen on iPad then don't get her a tablet."

I think there are other reasons besides the price to not want an iPad.

Just my opinion, man. Hence the IMO...

Perhaps I should clarify that. Maniac's wife has been eyeing an iPad. If he isn't keen on getting her an iPad, then in my opinion he should not substitute in a different product that is in essentially the same category. If she wants a Coach handbag, you don't say enh, I don't like Coach, here's a Kate Spade or a Dooney Burke; get the Coach or don't get a handbag at all. My comment was not based entirely on the objective superiority of the iPad, but also on the dynamics of gift-giving and wives.

Are the Androids that bad? I read the Whirlpool Forums (massive technology forum which has has has separate rooms for technology topics, including a section for iPad and an a section for Android tablets) and I get the impression that the better Androids are worthy competitors for the iPad. Plenty of people who owns both report favorably of the androids such as the Xoom or the Galaxy. There are a few grumbles though, and my impression is that there are more satisified apple customers. But still.. No flash and no USB. That's the downside of the iPad.

HangedMan is right. Get her the one she wants or get something unrelated. Did she gets you tickets to RSC or to some lesser organization's performance(s)?

Hrmm, don't like the idea of an iPad? Have you considered giving here an iBrator?

http://www.maccomedy.com/movies/ibrator.html

@spyman

The issue with the Android tablets is future support. When you buy a Samsung or Motorola tablet, there is *no* guarantee it will be supported or upgraded. You could buy a tablet and find it completely outdated without support in 6 months.

Amazon has a good track record of supporting devices, so I'm less worried about this for the Kindle.

I think a lot of people want an iPad because they don't realize there is anything besides an iPad. Perhaps it would make sense to see if she wants the iPad in particular, or would be happy with any good tablet.

Abgemacht may be right. People want many things because that is what is pushed and in their awareness. When most people think Windows based laptops, they think Dell. But many in the know would rather have the Lenovo line. It's just that Dell is the name everyone knows.

you could always take Justin Timberlake's advice....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhwbxEfy7fg

Good lord people are buying xmas presents already?

Yes. Its such an expensive and wasteful season. I really don't like Christmas. Not to mention having to put up with the in-laws.

Ha, wonder if people will call you a grouch like they me re: Halloween :). I'm with you though. If you don't have little kids I don't see the great appeal.

Christmas is a wasteful orgy of consumerism and not much else. Keep buying useless crap and telling yourself you "deserve" it, silly humans. Do what the advertisements tell you.

+1 Yellowjacket, I was going to suggest the same thing :)

I agree. They had bloody Christmas programs for kids at Burke street three weeks ago (aimed at Spyman cuz he would know where Burke Street is, but I'm sure it is obvious at what I'm getting at).

Thanks for the comments guys - to clarify@ Draugnar - I haven't received tickets yet only seen the envelope so don't know if they are the real thing or for another company at the RSC = I undrstand that several companies are at the RSC next year as part o the Olympic celebrations.

My wife wants a tablet for surfing the net and in particular for shopping. She will never use it for gaming or watching movies

@thatwasawkward - I couldn't agree more but the pressure to buy crap in my case doesn't come from adverts as much as trying to keep someone happy, and in truth I only do that because I can't afford a divorce - I think a tablet is my cheaper solution.

....of course several tablets would also work :)

Tablets are worthwhile, and if you wife wants one, she will love it. You probably love it too. Go for the iPad.

"My wife wants a tablet for surfing the net and in particular for shopping. She will never use it for gaming or watching movies"

Does she buy from amazon a lot? If this is all she wants to use it for, I'd seriously consider the Kindle Fire; it was designed to make it easy for you to buy things.

I made a comment similar to thatwasawkward's to a friend who was already putting up his Christmas lights. He called me a grinch. I told him, "Pretty sure it was the Grinch that sole Christmas, not the Grinch that stole the Saturday after Halloween."

iPad is far overpriced for performance level, as are almost all Apple products. Don't waste your money. Try the Toshiba Thrive, much better.

I know that is not precisely the advice you asked for, but would a cheaper version of an item she fancies still have the desired effect?

Yes, Apple products do seem to have an addicting, brainwashing effect to those who like them.

@Pepijn - "I know that is not precisely the advice you asked for, but would a cheaper version of an item she fancies still have the desired effect?"

I think it will have the same effect - my wife isn't all that tech savvy and I think she uses iPad as a generic name for tablet

The Toshiba tablets are bulky and ugly and have lots of blinky lights. But yeah, cheaper. I don't get the real clamor to save $60 on something you're already spending more than $400 on. Get something of quality if you're going to blow your money like this.

BTW, this thread seems humorous in retrospect.

http://webdiplomacy.net/forum.php?threadID=530196#530621

Read up on opals, find the type that she likes the best, find your price point, order one from Australia, and get it set by a REPUTABLE jeweler. Or just go online and fine a nice one at a reputable online jeweler. :-)

There's something to be said for an unexpected present. :-)

That is a funny thread Putin. Its amazing how much things change in less than two years.