I don't know what country specifically or how iPads are priced there, but just picking Germany at random the iPad's list price starts at 379€. Quite a deal they've got going...
One pan make many valid arguments about iPads vs PCs, and open vs walled gardens, but calling an iPad a 'read-only' device is NOT one of them.
My brilliant 12 year old daughter is an artist (both 2 and 3d, depending on her whims), and uses an iPad as a creative device that literally has no peer from other, more open ecosystems.
My 14 year old son learned the basics of coding on an iPad, and can use his for writing, math homework, and an incredible level of creative output programming various robotics devices he has.
An iPad does live in a walled garden, but it is far from a read-only device.
No, I really don't. The kinda of things my daughter does on an iPad aren't possible on paper, and use a part of her brain that she doesn't trigger when she uses pen or paint and paper. Also, she does both.
Can you recommend any creation apps? I'm trying to make my iPad more useful to me than the browser and video watching device it currently is, but have had a hard time finding good apps for art and coding.
There are literally hundreds of great art apps - it really depends what you're in to. Procreate is perhaps the most popular, but there are options for animation and 3d art as well. Like any area of software, different tools fit different uses.
Setting aside the very necessary questions around the pros and cons of ed tech, from a strictly IT-management standpoint the support costs for iPads will be vastly lower than for PCs, especially a 350€ PC.
(Assuming they're well-insured and/or the children don't abuse them, etc.)
This sounds like words of a programmer. And I agree with your point to some degree, I would never consider an iPad for my work as a developer.
But this point is unfair to other knowledge workers. For example, my SO would get much better workflow from an iPad, especially with the pencil. The workflow includes a lot of research and note taking, including annotating images, and a mouse/trackpad is just too clumsy for this. The iPad seems perfect for that. I plan to get her one, currently waiting to see if they will refresh the iPad pro lineup in March.
Mind you that a 350€ laptop PC does not come with nearly as much longevity (due to bad build quality), performance and user satisfaction as the similarly priced iPad.
I believe iPad is a great force multiplier of the good 'ol pen and paper. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I bet the kids pick it up in a heartbeat.
For the more advanced endeavors, a 350€ PC as a second device. Not that expensive for a hobby, I think this is in reach of most parents.
