which tablet for the parents?

[DNA]

Well the title says it all.... But here's the interesting twist... I need it to be able to handle mandarin Chinese input via touch screen.

I know the Ipad2s have the ability so my question is... Is there a similar tablet out there that would provide better bang for the back? My parents typically would use it to Facebook and occasionally email people in mandarin as the touch screens make it that much easier for them. Does anyone know if the Kindle fire or the Nook color would allow for a comperable experience or should I just suck it up and join the evil empire and grab an ipad?

I'm also open to suggestions for other Tablets as well.

Thanks in advance.

Dan

[BRANDON7766]

I'm pretty tecchy and really like android, but it's really hard to beat apple products. Just buy the iPad...honestly.

[I_Love_My_.38]

[DNA]

Brandon, thanks for the advice.

I_Love_My_.38, welcome to my ignore list.

Anyone else with an android tablet suggestion? Or with knowledge of which tablets support Mandarin Chinese (traditional)?

Thanks in advance.

Dan

[TheThousands]

ZTE makes an android tablet which fully supports mandarin (as they are based in Shenzhen). When do you need it by? They are hard to find in the US without a contract but I can have my girlfriend mail one to you or put you in touch with their sales department.

Edit: Archos also makes a decent tablet, I believe my sister has one.

[Ahmad]

As much as I don't like the idea of tablets iPads are the best. Wait for the iPad 3 it'll be out in no time.

[high_revs]

i don't like apple much too. but they are successful for a reason. +1 vote for ipad/ipad2

[weinerd]

iPad UI is more intuitive and user friendly than any Android I've used, so would be simpler for people that are less tech savvy imo.

That being said, you can get 7" tablets that have android 2.2 or 2.3 for under $200 that are decent. My wife likes the Fire UI but I don't know what languages it can handle. If it wasn't for her liking the UI, I would have saved $75 and gotten her a Cruz Velocity T301 or whatever android 2.2/2.3.

My kids can figure out my iPad way easier than my wife's Fire...

[gorn5150]

I just gave my father in law an Acer Iconia A500. It is the android tablet that gives the most bang for the buck. All the same components of the high end tabs at about $100 less. He loves it. I don't know if it will handle Mandarin, I have the windows version and it does not.

[orchard]

Go to Android market and look at keyboard and and input applications. There appear to be several apps, but the comments are in Chinese so I can't tell.

[Syst3m Ov3rrid3]

iPad is more user friendly and easier on the eyes I think. If your parents are the techy kind of Parents, then a Android Tablet. Still waiting for a comparable Windows Tablet (JUST the tablet, no convertible tablets) with good battery life compared to an android tablet (just about 10 hours)