I have a school iPad and the only things I use it for is this site.

It's really not that innovative, impressive, or enjoyable.

So you haven't played any DS stuff, then? If that's the case, I'd lean towards 3DS. The DS has an absolutely monstrous backlog of games that could entertain you for a very, very long time. Granted, tablets (particularly Apple's tablets) have quite the amount of quality games as well.

The best part about this is that whether you go for a 3DS or an iPad, you have the option of playing The World Ends With You, which is an absolute blast.

I own a 3ds xl, ps vita, iPad 3, iPod 5gen. I love thm all.

All I need now is a laptop to do my business on. Mac book pro I might get.

But on topic, for your I'd choose the iPad mini. The quality of the device is top notch.

If I were you I'd get a 3DS. It's eventually going to become a necessity in Nintendo handhelds. There are pretty good games coming to it already and more to come as everything switches from the DS to the 3DS.

Some Good 3DS Games:

• Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask
• Paper Mario Sticker Star (I highly suggest if you haven't played a Paper Mario game yet)
• Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time
• Mario Kart 7 (Good to begin with IMO)
  Kid Icarus Uprising
• Scribblenauts Unlimited (Also available for Wii U)
• And as you are already looking forward to, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, the next main-series Pokemon game, and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Magnagate or whatever.

Good luck with whatever you choose

3DS because it has a whole crap ton of great DS games, eShop titles, GB games, GG games, NES games, G&W games, and 3DS titles both at retail and online

If you're looking for a multimedia device, get the iPad (or iPad Mini).

If you're looking primarily for games, it's a bit of a tougher decision.

Contrary to misinformed belief, there's actually a pretty great lineup of games (that aren't casual) on the App Store. The absolutely amazing Chaos Rings trilogy, the classic Final Fantasy remakes/ports, & The World Ends With You from Square Enix. World of Goo, Bastion, the Infinity Blade series, and later entries in the N.O.V.A. & Modern Combat series' are also top notch from what I hear.

Then you have the 3DS with great 1st party titles, such as Ocarina of Time 3D, Super Mario 3D Land, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Paper Mario: Sticker Star, and New Super Mario Bros. 2, as well as some great 3rd party titles, such as Dead or Alive Dimensions, Tales of the Abyss, Resident Evil: Revelations, Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance, & Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D.

Great choices either way, really.

Get tablet.
Get Jetpack Joyride.
Thank me later.

If you get a tablet, get something with Android. The Nexus 7 looks good but it has no slot for an SD card which is lame.
Maybe get a Nook and root it.

What you have to understand is an ipad is definitely the WRONG choice with the description you gave. You said you didn't like the iphone, so i highly doubt you'll find much more to like in the ipad.
So, i would go with the 3ds if i were you. And coming from someone who owns both, i use my 3ds way more ( only really use ipad for internet)

Well considering the iPad actually has games worth playing...

You're basically asking specific use toy vs. everyday useful, helpful item. I use my Tablet way more than my 3DS so I say the tablet.

If you want to play games go with a Nintendo 3DS, if you want to work get a iPad. But if you already have a iPhone a lot of the features on the iPad are not really esclusive.

If you really are dedicated to playing Pokemon and Luigi's Mansion, I can't see how you could settle for anything less than the 3DS. However, if you can wait to play those games than I would recommend getting a tablet. Tablets just do more things in addition to playing games. However, the next question is what tablet you want to get. If you really are dedicated to playing games, then I would have to recommend getting an IOS-powered device. The simple fact is that there are just so much more IOS games than games on Android or Windows-based tablets, and unless Windows 8 on tablets is akin to Windows 7 on standard computers then the fact will likely remain.

Okay , if you don't really like your iPhone. Tablet isn't going to be any better for you. iPad is way overrated.

3DS, trust me. You can download full retail games and there are some pretty good eshop games , like Mighty Switch Force and Pushmo.

3DS isn't a toy
It's a dedicated gaming handheld console that absolutely wipes the floor with the rubbish found on junklets

Nintendos been a toy company since 1889 though

True that... Though when you consider, a lot people use tablets as toys.

3DS. How is this even a question?

Hell no, IPad 3 pwns it.
Angry birds star wars edition alone beats any 3ds game. Plus most iPad games cost only 69p to £3-5.

Bottom line is get an IPad and support the best company ever and that is Apple.