AARP's new RealPad

Well, I certainly do have a lot to mull. I'm the OP. What I'm looking for is: check email, find hotels & eateries while travelling home and elsewhere, surf the web. I'd like to keep in touch with gkids either skype or face time. They have mini iPads, but I'm not letting that influence my decision. They also have other options inhouse.

I'm probably going to use it for checking finances etc while out of town as well. I've never had one... and I've never had a smart phone either. So...just starting the explorations.

Thanks
cts