Tablet Comparison: LeapPad Platinum vs LeapPad 3

The LeapPad Platinum and the LeapPad 3 are both children’s educational tablets from LeapFrog. The 3 has a 5″ multi-touch capacitive screen with a resolution of 480×272 pixels, whilst the Platinum is a 7″ tablet with a resolution of 1024×600, also with a multi-touch capacitive screen. Both tablets run on LeapFrog’s own operating system, rather than such as Android, and the cases of both tablets are designed with children in mind, being strengthened and purpose-built to reduce the chance of them being damaged.

Both tablets have USB slots, for plugging them into other devices and recharging the tablet, and both also have a stylus. Each has a built-in speaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as a microphone. Each also has two cameras, one front and one rear facing, each of which is 2.0 megapixels on both tablets.

Each tablet can download apps and other content from the LeapFrog App Center, as well as take LeapFrog cartridges. The Platinum comes with 8 gigabytes (GB) of built-in memory, compared to the 4GB of the LeapPad 3. Neither tablet has a memory card slot for expanding the available memory.

Both also have WiFi, allowing internet access, although this access is strongly controlled and limited to a list of LeapFrog approved content online. Parental controls are therefore extremely strong on both tablets; only LeapFrog approved content can be purchased for the tablets and only LeapFrog approved content can be viewed. This does mean that both tablets are more limited with regards to what they can be used for.

Both tablets come with 10 apps, but the Platinum also comes with 6 Imagicards and a mini-game.

Both the LeapPad 3 and the LeapPad Platinum are educational tablets, not more general entertainment ones. They should only be used if education is the primary intended use of the tablet; they are not suitable for more general usage. The educational abilities of both are very good, and adjustable to a child’s age and level. The Platinum is a bigger, better but more expensive tablet than the LeapPad 3.