Ask Paul: April 30 (Premium)

Happy Friday! I’m kicking off the weekend extra-early today because my wife and I are going on another short trip, this time to complete our Global Entry appointments since we’ll be traveling internationally again this year.
Android tablets
ErichK asks:

Hey Paul. Regarding tablets, one of the areas that iPad seems to have an advantage is in things like music production software. Stuff like that is obviously not important to everybody. Now, I have a coworker who owns a Samsung Galaxy Tab, and he seems very happy with it. Do you think it could be argued that, if really the main things you want to do are surf the web and watch YouTube, that an Android tablet might actually fit the bill, especially if you don't want to pay the price premium for the Apple product? (Granted, the Galaxy Tab can get a little pricey too, but I think overall Android tablets are cheaper, especially if, God forbid, one even opts for the Amazon Fire.) Of course, iPad quality is superior to all the others, but on the other hand, in my experience, the Android tablets I've owned weren't all that bad either in that department.

People often say that “[some product] works fine for my needs,” and that’s fine. And sure, if your needs are very basic, any device will probably be OK. One could make a case for a convertible Chromebook, too, I guess, and get some additional PC-like functionality.

But I feel like we’re forgetting or ignoring that the iPad isn’t all that expensive. A base 10.2-inch iPad costs $329, which is reasonable for the performance, capabilities, and quality. And that iPad is a much better product than any Android tablet with a similar price. So I’m not sure there’s a real premium being paid there. More to the point, sometimes you really do get what you pay for. I can’t imagine anyone regretting an iPad purchase. (He says, knowing that just writing that will of course trigger that exact testimonial.)

To be clear, I would very much prefer there to be some Android tablet that was a better value---or was just “better”---than the iPad. But I’ve never seen such a thing, not since the Nexus 7 anyway, and me using an iPad every day pretty much says it all: I’d never do that unless it was the best choice and it wasn’t even close.
All-In-One PCs
JF-NYC asks:

I like the look of the new iMac but want a touchscreen and Windows. Do you think Microsoft should make a cheaper version of the Surface Studio for this segment of the market?

Yes. Yes, I do. A Surface Studio Display would also be nice. Just a 3:2 display of any kind would be nice.

What's my best option for an AIO that costs around $1,500?

I don’t have a lot of experience with recent AIO PCs. I did use some HP Envy AIOs, including one with a curved display, but they weren’t touchscreens. And I think touchscreens make more sense on a PC where you can change the angle of the display, as you can with Surface Studio. That’s not something I’d need or want, ...