Kindle Fire, then root it/load a custom rom. I love Apple for the quality of their products, but I cannot stand the completely closed platform.. Android is just capable of much much more.

I have the Kindle Fire & wouldn't want an I-pad because it doesn't suit my needs. I-pads seem to be more about all sorts of apps and online activity & I only like to do reading. Occasionally, I'll use it to go online if I'm in the kitchen and need a recipe or something quick like that. I get confused with all sorts of apps and stuff. Lol. The Kindle Fire is really nice. Great for reading and I like that I can read in the dark, the text of the books are nicely sized & I can do things like get my school lectures on my Kindle. It has some neat features.

It's hard to recommend one or the other because I don't know what types of things you want it for. Online stuff? If so, you might want to go with the I-pad. If the majority of what you plan to do with it is reading, I don't think you'd be disappointed with a Kindle by far. I also like the size and shape. I can easily carry it around or hold it & also I can just prop it up on my knees or a pillow next to me while laying down and read almost hands-free (except turning the pages!) Lol.