Should I get a Nintendo 3DS XL or a tablet?

Answer 1

Whether you get a 3DS XL or a tablet depends on how you entertain yourself. If you must have the graphic you should go with the 3D XL. If you can deal with so-so Video Games and will get use out of all the apps that a tablet has to offer, then go for the tablet. I would choose the tablet.

Answer 2

It would depend on what you are planning to use it for. If you mainly want to use it to play games on, the Nintendo 3DS would probably be a better choice. However, the tablet also has many functions that the Nintendo 3DS does not have, such as opening PDFs, using as a flashlight, accessing the Play Store, and so on. There is Apps for so many things, you could use the Tablet in many ways that you would have never thought of before.

Though the Nintendo 3DS can play music, watch videos, open pictures, use camera/record sounds and use the web browser, these functions are extremely limited. For example:
- Music is limited to 100 songs per folder and it takes a while to load the music
- Videos cannot exceed 10 mins and have to be in the proper dimensions to play on the 3DS
- Cameras are very low quality and resolution with small dimensions
- The Web browser runs quiet slowly and does not have Java or Flash

That said, the main purpose for the Nintendo 3DS is, obviously, to play games which the 3DS does exactly that. There are many notable exclusive games only for the Nintendo 3DS and generally, App games are not viewed very positively. The library of games on the Nintendo 3DS is vast and with the Virtual Console service, you can play games that were released on the old Nintendo consoles such as the NES, SNES, GBC and some SEGA consoles.

Therefore, if you want a device that is versatile and can do many things, the Tablet would be your best choice. If you want to play games and have access to the wide library of games available exclusively to the Nintendo 3DS, then the 3DS is for you.