- HubPages»
- Technology»
- Computers & Software»
- Computer Buying Guides
Best Computer Tablet For Kids - LeapPad2 Or VTech InnoTab2
VTech - InnoTab 2 Or The Leappad2 Interactive Learning Tablets
Each year manufacturers flood the market with new gadgets for kids. As technology is advancing so darn quickly, parents not only find it difficult to keep up, but wish to make sure that their child has the knowledge and understanding for the innovative new learning methods that are part of our modern education systems. Because we are more likely to find our kids learning by surfing, clicking, and making social media pages than by flipping tangible pages and playing hide-and-seek in the yard, is it important to discover the best interactive learning tools that allow a child to stay ahead of the proverbial curve. To find the best tablet-style learning device for young children, I have taken a look at the two big hitters; Leappad2 and the new kid on the block, VTech - InnoTab2. Both are rated as best serving young children around ages 3 to 9. Here is what I found out about these interactive technologies for children.
Why VTech - InnoTab 2 Interactive Learning Tablet Ranks 5 Out Of 5 Stars
VTech - InnoTab 2 Interactive Learning Tablet
Pros
The price is pretty darn good when you consider it is the new addition to the tablet for kids family of gadgets. The housing has been improved upon a little from the previous version to bring better durability; after all, kids are bound to drag this thing around, drop it, and fling it among any number of other tactical measures for interactive play. The previous version had parents concerned about the seemingly "super glued" housing. As parents can tell you, super glue is a pretty poor match for a vigorous 5 year old!
This tablet has some pretty nifty apps and learning ability to keep any youngster happily engaged in tapping, dropping, and creating for hours. One of my favorite attributes of this tablet is that it offers parents the chance to track their child's learning progress or goals for better understanding of a child's learning needs, or strengths.
Vtech - InnoTab2 Specs
- 5" color touch screen
- 1" x 6.2" x 8.1" dimensions
- Weighs just under 3 pounds
- 4-differnt media players—MP3 music, photo viewer, e-book reader, and video player
- Tilt-sensor for educational game playing
- USB cable to connect PC and/or MAC with learning toy
- SD card slot for expanding memory up to 16 GB (not included), comes with a 2GB onboard memory
- A wide variety of apps from games to art to education, all available on cartridge
- You can personalize it up to 4 users.
Cons
Even as the housing has been—somewhat—improved, I still like the feel of durability offered by the Leapfrog family of products over the VTech. Even as the weight of the InnoTab is more substantial (just under 3 pounds), the LeapPad's 1.7 pounds simply gives the impression of greater durability—it's like the LeapPad2 is ready for whatever your child can throw at it.
The InnoTab2 is a little slower at loading apps from its site and app use than the LeapPad. Also, the touch screen may be a little too sensitive, making accidental app loading a pain when you don't intend to use that app. The screen may be a little less bright, even with the adjustable brightness function, it just doesn't seem to be enough. Similar to the original (first generation) LeapPad, it may not be all that user friendly for the 3 year old age, but geared more for 4 or 5 years and up. Some swiping control may be difficult for the youngest users due to the touchy touch screen.
Camera Video Feature
This child's tablet has a rotating camera and video so children can take pictures or video of themselves or of family and friends. Cool stamps and effects can be applied to editing the images.
VTech InnoTab 2
What's In The Box When I Open It
- InnoTab 2 Learning Tablet
- 2 styluses
- Learning Lodge Navigator installation CD
- "Ready, Play & Create" cartridge
- USB cable
Touch Screen / Motion Sensor
The 5" screen seems just about right for tiny fingers and hands to enjoy interactive learning apps as well as game play. The VTech device makes it pretty fun to emulate what parents do on their grown up tablets; drag and drop, flick, tap and so on. This thing has an on screen keyboard, calendar, calculator and many of those utilities they watch the folks putting to use. Which of course makes it all the more fun!
What Apps And Downloads Come With The VTech InnoTab 2
The InnoTab 2 comes with two motion games, and two free downloads—from Learning Lodge Navigator—so your children can start playing right out of the box. But where it surely surpasses the LeapPad is in the up-to 32 GB of memory you can add to the fun by using the (purchased separately) SD card. This would appear to offer endless data and just that much more fun!
InnoTab2
LeapPad2 Specs
- 5" color touch screen
- 1" x 5.2" x 7" dimensions
- Compatible with cartridges or downloadable apps
- 1.7 pounds
- 4 GB memory (a library of 325+ game cartridges and downloadable apps)
LeapPad2
Pros
There is no doubt that LeapPad2 is the undisputed champ in interactive learning for PC or MAC. The sturdy construction and colorful look has been part of why parents adore this line of products. The LeapPad2 in particular, has brought some really fun and innovative stuff to the tablet table this year. To begin with, their device comes with a whopping 4 GB onboard memory, which is actually enough to do just about anything your kids would like to do. They have also added in a faster processor to keep up with your child's improving skills. It comes with 5 apps, as well as having over 2500 skills in just about every academic subject available. Tried and true, it is easy to see why LeapPad has been so successful.
Cons
Kind of missing the boat in terms of being the most innovative. The InnoTab2 has advancements that outweigh the LeapPad user experience over all. In terms of technology, the InnoTab2 just has the feel of a modern forward designed tech device. it also wins over the LeapPad2 as it has a nifty secure Wi-Fi feature that surpasses what we have seen in past versions of this, or other children's tablets.
LeapPad2
LeapPad2
What's In The Box When I Open It
- LeapPad2 Explorer Tablet
- 4 GB of memory
- USB cable
- Learning Songs app (5 songs included)
- Pet Pad writing app
- Cartoon creativity app†
- Art studio app†
- Free app download†
- 2 built-in cameras and video recorders (front and back)
10 Reasons Why VTech InnoTab2 Is Better Than LeapPad2
- The InnoTab2 has only one camera, but it is very innovative in that the camera rotates. This feature alone will improve the gaming experience for all ages.
- It comes with two styluses, great when one goes missing!
- Even though it comes with 2 GB of memory (LeapPad comes with 4 GB) you can use a SD card to add up to 32 GB. This makes for virtually endless use!
- Your child can start using it right out of the box, whereas the LeapPad requires setup using the installation CD.
- It comes with 17 ready-to-use apps!
- Built in tilt screen for everything InnoTab2. LeapPad2 only tilts with certain apps.
- Hit the handy "?" key and you can hear a recap of instructions or discover more information about an app (very cool).
- You will find a manual with your purchase.
- Has secure Wi-Fi, which seems far more forward thinking in terms of keeping children of all ages safer. Your child can search for new apps at Learning Lodge Navigator® while being unable to get to the rest of the internet.
- Has a very cool 400 Mhz Processor, not too shabby for a kid's toy!
Leappad2 vs VTech InnoTab2
VTech InnoTab2
| Leappad2
| Winner
|
---|---|---|
The InnoTab2 has only one camera, but it is very innovative in that the camera rotates.
| LeapPad2 has two built-in front and back cameras and video recorders.
| InnoTab2
|
It comes with two styluses, great when one goes missing!
| Comes with one styluse, but feels more familiar to hold than the InnoTab2 styluses. Is less slick and easier to hold onto for tiny hands.
| Leappad2 Explorer
|
Even though it comes with 2 GB of memory (LeapPad comes with 4 GB) you can use a SD card to add up to 32 GB. This makes for virtually endless use!
| 4GB of memory, a faster processor and a library of 325+ game cartridges and downloadable apps.
| Tie
|
Your child can start using it right out of the box, whereas the LeapPad requires setup using the installation CD.
| The LeapPad2 learning tablet comes with five apps. You can also select one of four popular apps to download free to your tablet. Also find a library full of amazing educational and age-appropriate apps for kids!.
| InnoTab2
|
Built in tilt screen for everything InnoTab2. LeapPad2 only tilts with certain apps.
| By pluging your child's device into your computer it quickly tells you what games your child has played, how long they have played them, and how successful they were.
| InnoTab2
|
Hit the handy "?" key and you can hear a recap of instructions or discover more information about an app (very cool).
| ----------------NA------------------
| InnoTab2
|
You will find a manual with your purchase.
| ----------------NA------------------
| InnoTab2
|
Secure packaging, but pretty easy to open.
| Not such easy to open packaging
| InnoTab2
|
What You Think Really Does Matter!
Which computer tablet would you choose for your child?
With everything from old fashioned board games to high tech computer games lining the shopping mall shelves, deciding on gifts for your kids is no easy task. In a pinch, grabbing the newest tech toy can come back and bite you in the pocketbook. But, it would seem that the VTech InnoTab2 computer Tablet for kids is a real treasure. Its more modern and "grown-up" like functions can serve to keep your youngest children ready for the next phase of technology knocking at the educational door!