@BlossomingLuddite I completely agree. I've tried a number of Android tablets, my Nexus 7 was a great device. However, I took a punt and tried an iPad Mini 4. It's a great bit of kit, and the OS performs wonderfully.
I don't use iCloud, iMessage or iAnything really (apart from the app store), so my engagement in to the walled garden is very limited - best of both worlds.