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"Think Apple\u2019s iPad and iPad mini are the only go-to tablets for educators? Well, think again, because here are five iPad alternatives that offer great specs, pricing and school-friendly features.\n1. Amplify Tablet\nThe recent decision to split News Corp. introduced a new division tasked with providing digital learning materials to the education market. That division, named Amplify, has since sprung into life with the 10-inch Android tablet designed specifically for K-12 education.\nManufactured by Asus, the tablet offers a quad-core Tegra 3 system-on-chip and the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system, while battery life is quoted at 8.5 hours. While that in itself isn\u2019t revolutionary, the Amplify tablet impresses with its array of education-friendly features.\nEye-tracking technology helps the tablet push out an \u201Ceyes on teacher\u201D message if the child\u2019s attention wanders, while teachers can use the Amplify tablet for planning lessons, sending out assignments and managing students' tablets during lessons.\nFor instance, teachers can see if a student is looking at email instead of following the lesson. They can block certain apps from the tablet and shut down digital access completely.\nThe entry-level Amplify tablet starts at $299, with training and customer care (largely provided by former teachers) included as part of that price. However, schools will have to pay $99 annually for a two-year subscription to the digital learning materials. Schools with bigger budgets could opt for the $349 Amplify Plus, which comes with a 4G data plan.\n2. Dell Latitude 10 Essentials Configuration\nDell aimed at both the education and enterprise markets when it launched the Latitude 10 essentials configuration Windows 8 tablet in January.\nEarly adopters are impressed with the tablet, which can be managed easily through Windows Service Center, allows for secure log-in with Dell Data ProtectionAccess (an integrated security management suite using a fingerprint and smart-card reader) and encrypts data with Microsoft BitLocker Drive Encryption.\nOne study, admittedly commissioned by Dell and carried out by Principled Technologies, showed that the 10.1-inch Latitude 10 was 17 times faster and 94% less expensive for deploying compared to the iPad and 99% faster for software updates. The tests concluded that the tablet was 85% cheaper per device to maintain over a three-year period.\nAnother report from analyst Patrick Moorhead claimed that Dell's tablet is more secure than the iPad.\nThe Latitude 10 essentials model is now available for $579 for the 64GB model. A 32GB edition is set to launch later in the year for $499.\n3. LearnPad Quarto\nBritish company Avantis Systems has launched a few models under the \u2018LearnPad\u2019 name. These start from $226 and go up to $454 for the premium LearnPad Folio. But it is the $302 LearnPad Quarto that is likely to attract most school IT buyers.  \nOffering a 9.7-inch 1024 x 768 IPS display, the Quarto allows for excellent viewing angles, and also boasts a dual-core 1.6GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, dual-facing cameras and connections for micro USB, SD and HDMI. The model is Wi-Fi-only, but the battery life is respectable at 8 hours.\nWhere the LearnPad range really scores however is in its ability be packaged up with other useful education features.\nFor instance, schools can order 20 or 30 Quartos for their classroom with cases, pre-installed educational activities and a charging trolley, while mains chargers, USB cables, USB device converters and \u2018Getting Started\u2019 guides are also thrown into the mix.\nOptional extras include silicone USB keyboard, headphones for children, styluses, as well as \u201Cpremium\u201D curriculum apps and eBooks.\n4. Kuno Tablet\nOne of the early players in the education tablet space was Kuno, an Indianapolis-based company known for its education-focused Kuno tablet.\nNow running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and offering a 1.2GHz processor and 16GB of memory, the 9.7-inch Kuno tablet taps the CurriculumLoft\u0092 mobile learning solution for device, app and content management. It's also Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) compliant for keeping kids safe on the web.\nThe tablet features dual-facing cameras, USB and HDMI connections and a 1024 x 768 resolution display. The battery life is quoted at 7 hours for video and up to 10 hours for browsing the Internet.\nSchools have deployed the device \u2014 Martin Elementary in Illinois, for one, has rolled out 1,200 tablets, while San Felipe Del Rio District in Texas has 1,600 Kunos.\n5. Amazon Kindle Fire\nAmazon\u2019s Kindle Fire tablets aren\u2019t just for entertainment \u2014 they can also be used for education.\nThere are more than a few options to choose from: the 7-inch Kindle Fire at $159, to the 8.9-inch HD LTE version, which sells for $399. However, judging by numerous case studies and the tight budgets often applied to education, it may be that the low-end $159 model is best suited to the classroom environment.\nIn terms of specs, the Kindle Fire offers a 7-inch 1024 x 600 resolution display with Gorilla Glass, for resistance to scratches and falls. It also sports connection ports for USB, an audio jack and stereo speakers.\nWhere the Kindle Fire really comes into its own however is with the services offered through Amazon.\nFor starters, each Kindle Fire is linked to the user\u2019s Amazon account and this in itself carries 5GB of free storage on Amazon\u2019s Cloud Drive. Files can be synchronized to the Cloud Drive over Wi-Fi.\nFurthermore, students can rent electronic textbooks from Amazon and scope out Amazon\u2019s Appstore for all kinds of apps, including those focused on education. There are also advantages for the IT managers, providing they sign up to use Amazon's Whispercast.\nUsing the cloud-based service, IT administrators can roll out apps, documents and books to various Kindle Fire devices, including tablets brought in to school on a bring-your-own (BYO) basis.\nPasswords can be enforced to protect content, while admins can also stop users from doing a factory reset, visiting Facebook or Twitter or buying content from Amazon. Kindle users can also be organized into groups.\nImage via Spencer Platt/Getty Images"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2013/04/05/ipad-alternatives-for-school/>