Based off of years of experience working with Students and Adults on the Teacher side and the Business side I have come up with an argument about the age old question, Chromebooks vs. iPads. Based on the Pros and Cons we layout below it can be easy to decide which one is a better fit for what YOU need whether you are looking for your business, School, self.

Lets Start with the iPad

The iPad released on April 3rd, 2010 to fill a great need in the mobile computing space.
The first iPad was roughly the size of a piece of paper (8.5x11).
The iPad was able to connect to WiFi as well as access to 3G in upgraded models.
The App Store makes it quick and easy to find and download apps.

Pros of using an iPad

With the iPad's thin profile and light weight it is extremely portable, fitting in most hand and shoulder bags
Long lasting battery. An iPad can last the majority of the day even with continuous use.
Fast boot up time. iPads are ready to use within 30 seconds of being turned on, however can be keep on standby when not in use for near instant use.
Apps are very easy to find and download through the App store. Click the App Store icon, search for the App you want and click download and the new app icon will be added to the home screen.
Multiple payment options can be added directly to the iPad to make purchases as easy as scanning your finger.
A great tool for young people to learn on. Students in PreK-2nd grade are able to begin learning on an iPad almost immediately using the touch screen to point and click on the app they want to interact with. In my past experiences prepping in Kindergarten classes they are ready to go with little to no assistance in less than 45 minutes.
Despite the iPads small size it is very durable lasting for many years with little to no maintenance.

Cons of Using an iPad

Out of the box your iPad will not come with a protective case and although the interior hardware is durable the screen can be cracked when dropped.
Not unlike other Apple products iPads are more expensive when compared to its competitors.
On the personal level iPads can be very easy to use, simply set up an Apple ID and you are good to go. iPads are more difficult when it comes to the Business and Education end making you navigate configuration and Apple Manager with support that can be lacking.
iPads can be difficult to use in the work environment, sacrificing the functionality of an actual laptop in favor of what's available on the App Store.
Typing beyond simple searches can be difficult without the added purchase of a third party keyboard.
Not the best learning device once students enter Middle School. Students need to be able to share, save, and print documents in these grades which is not an iPads strong suit

Now let’s talk about the Chromebook

Pros of using a Chromebook

The average Chromebook is small and compact featuring a 10" screen and can fit in most small bags.
Includes a full functioning keyboard and finger touchpad.
Upgraded Chromebook models include a touchscreen.
Seamlessly integrates into Google Apps
High durability, when in closed laptop form the screen and keyboard are protected when dropped.
Much easier to run programs on multiple tabs, even young children are able to multitask on a Chromebook.
Easy to share files with other users and collaborate on the fly.
When compared to an iPad a Chromebook is very affordable, based on the models you are comparing you can expect to see savings upwards of 70%.
With the addition of Google management ($35 a unit) allows and administrator to fully control every Chromebook in the system.

Cons of using a Chromebook

Start up time is slower compared to an iPad and may require more system restarts.
A Chromebook does not have as resilient of an operating system as the iOS used on an iPad
Battery life is only 4-6 hours which is relatively short compared to the iPads 6-48 hours (Dependent on use).
Can be a hard learning curve for new and young users. New users can take 3+ hours to become efficient with a Chromebook especially if they are used to the point and click navigation of an iPad.

Which one is Right for You?

Personal Use: If you are shopping for personal use I would recommend researching both options. Generally the iPad is going to be better if entertainment and ease of use are what you are looking for and a Chromebook is going to be the better option if this is to function more as a regular computer.

Business Use: Chromebook's are the more functional option when looking for a business function. Chromebooks are better able to integrate with the rest of your Windows and even Mac CPU fleet. The more classic laptop form of the Chromebook is also more efficient for business applications.
Education Use: If you are looking to supply your Elementary School with either of these two options the iPad is the better choice. Younger students are able to efficiently navigate the iPads easy point and click screen making working with Apps and accessing the internet easy. People working with Middle Schoolers and above should look more towards the Chromebook. A Chromebook has more functionality when it comes to file sharing and collaborative work as well as making it easier to multi task between open tabs. Chromebooks are perfect for students all the way until College but that is a topic for another day.

Chromebooks vs. iPads