Great questions Estelle.
now the ipad is great if you want to be told what to do and how to do it
The android has many more free apps, a stronger OS and enables you to chose how you use your system. More access to back end stuff.
The ipad is great...no USB connection...can't connect to your PC (unless you have a MAC) and costs heaps more.
if you can get online through your mobile, which most can, then you don't need to run a sim on your ipad...
Heaps more options, lots of extra things, stable OS...and well heaps cheaper...
my asus was $750...with keyboard, 32 GB, GPS and lots more...
don't know about the samsang...sound expensive love.