It's possible that this year's most heated technological argument will center on whether or not Android tablets or Apple's iPad is the better purchase. Let me sum up the differences and state my position clearly. There are several significant distinctions between the two gadgets –

Operating System

The operating system is a major differentiator between the two machines. Google's Android operating system powers Android magch tablets, while Apple's iOS powers the iPad. There is no significant difference between the two operating systems, and both power the smartphones of the two respective manufacturers.

This seems like a personal choice to me. Many app developers today favor Android over iOS since it is simpler to release an app for Android. Users may feel uneasy since some apps require a more recent version of Android, which not all tablets have access to, and older versions of Android may not work at all.

Developers of individual tablet models select when to release Android updates to their products, so while one model may receive an upgrade immediately, another may have to wait months, or even never receive one.

In my opinion, neither side has a definitive advantage. Try out other operating systems if you get the chance to narrow down your options. Android has more of my support than iOS does.

Aspect Ratio

Depending on your needs and how you want to transport your tablet, a large display could be an asset or a liability. When I began looking into Android tablets, I found that the Samsung Galaxy Tab's lower screen size was a major selling point.

The iPad's display is over 10 inches, which is comparable in size to some compact computers. That makes it more cumbersome to carry about, but it's ideal if you intend to use it as a mobile media player while on the go, such as in a backpack. Since I don't usually bring a backpack to meetings but still need to bring something with me, the Galaxy Tab seemed the obvious choice.

There is, once again, no undeniable victor. To begin, you should determine if you prefer a portable, wireless gadget or the largest feasible screen size. There is, however, one important caveat: tablets running Android with screens the size of the iPad will likely be available shortly.

Apps

Android tablets and the iPad may be compared and contrasted without getting into an app war. In my perspective, the tablet's success or failure hinges on the apps it offers. Having used both platforms extensively, I can say that the iPad offers a wider selection of apps than Android does. However, I have not been let down by Android and have been able to locate just about any kind of program I could want. In addition, most developers who create apps for the iPad also create versions for the Android platform.

I would not be shocked to see Android overtake Apple in the future when it comes to apps, given that Android sales are now exceeding iPhone sales and the fact that it is easier to make apps and get in the Android market, as I indicated above.

Cost

Today are several excellent low-priced Android tablets out there, and it appears that even the finest of them are getting cheaper. You can't do much on a tablet without a data plan unless you confine yourself to a wifi zone, so the cost of one or the other is probably going to be roughly the same.

Android, on the other hand, is less expensive overall.

Even while I fully expect this debate to continue throughout 2011, I have decided to take the side of the Android Tablets when pitted against the Apple iPad.