>>> which are to be preferred IoS or Android based?
I have an ipad (which I love) and will give you my honest opinion.
My ipad gets extensive use, browsing, reading, apps, streaming media (iplayer to the TV) and if Im out for the day, or doing someones PC then it goes with me.. and I dont think theres been a day in the past year or so when Ive not used it.. in fact I dont think I could be without a tablet now.
Pros
~ They are sexi and just work.
~ They integrate well with other apple products and make everything easy (eg ipod, ATV etc)
~ For some reason they are considered the elite ;/
Cons
~ They dont integrate well with non-Apple products. You can only bluetooth other Apple devices.
~ I dont like how locked down the system is - ie you cant install Flash and theres no usb access - This annoys the hell of out me.
~ Upgrade & spare parts is expensive or impossible when compared with Android. ie Apple rip off and charge extortiant prices for spare adapters, nor can you simply upgrade the memory.
If it wasnt for the fact that it works so well with my ipod and Apple TV (which I already had), then I possibly would have gone for an android tablet.
>>> a Kindle or similar has functions beyond its basic use.
The Kindle Fire does.