If not the ipad then what instead?

[Dark_Lord_2008]

IPad holds over 70% of the entire Tablet market share. Android Tablets are struggling to compete with the popularity of the Apple brand.

Either get a cheaper IPad 2 or a New IPad with improvements in screen resolution.

Considering the OP already owns a laptop, an Apple IPad would be a good device for him to play around with. Size of IPad either 32GB or 64GB.