iPads are well designed and built, reliable, secure, and easy to use. But expensive, limited in what they can do (though they'll do what you want) and largely incompatible with non-Apple devices. If you get one you may end up buying other Apple stuff. (My wife has two ipads ... and an Apple TV.)

Android tablets vary enormously from very cheap to as expensive as iPads. Unlike iPads they vary in features too. Androids are more flexible and capable than iPads, but as a result are more complicated to use. They are easier to connect to other computers and devices than iPads - though it's not always simple to do so. I have an early Nexus 7 which is very good. (Nexus are Google's 'flagship' brand - the Nexus 9 is current.) Reputable manufacturers include Samsung, Lenovo, Dell, Sony, etc.

I agree that Microsoft's 'surface' or 'surface pro' are worth considering. Transferring stuff from a Windows computer will be easier than the others. I don't have one, though I might get a surface pro if my 10 year old laptop fails.