It's ok but the android ecosystem is fractured in my opinion and the quality of the experience depends on who manufactured the device. It also winds me up that android release a new version but most devices don't get updated

That's very true. The Android market is rather fractured (although - to be fair - you can't run the newer versions of iOS on an older iPad; unfortunately more and more apps require the latest version). The moral is to go for a Nexus; they (obviously) work beautifully with the Google apps and are also the first to be updated. (Disclaimer - my son's partner works for Google.)

I have an Android Tablet, Phablet and a Win 8 laptop, and I prefer the Android, to get the proper updates you need to get either a Nexus device or a Google edition, My Phablet is a Samsung Note II and the Tablet is a Nexus 10".

The only thing I get my laptop out for is when I'm downstairs watching the telly and like you have to look up IMDB to remember an actors name, that just won't come to me, happend the other day with Roy Hudd, recognised him, but just couldn't think who he was, one of the problems with getting old

I wouldn't touch Apple at all, I had too many problems with their iPod trying to connect it to iTunes on a Windows PC in the past, and their system is too locked down for my liking.

There's a conflict of interest there -
you might think the 7" would be as large as could be accommodated in the handbag, but experience with my tablet(7") and my wifes (10") suggest that if Google Earth is a serious requirement, then 7" won't be enough.
Apart from that, our main lack is a decent of "office" applications with an Android device - this may not be something your wife would need.

Bought Nexus7 32Gb about 13 months ago. No problems and, as you say, are kept up to date - currently running 4.4.2

Hi, Nadger, long time - no see!

Trust you are keeping well!

There are several 8" full windows 8 tablets around now, models are available from Dell, Toshiba, Lenovo and Acer.
I have been using the Acer W3 and even though the screen is not as good as the Toshiba 8" or the Dell Venue Pro 8", the fact the battery lasts all working day and it has a mini HDMI out slot allows me to get everything I need done with it.
I will probably upgrade if a 7 or 8" model comes out with a built-in 3g/4g sim slot as that's the only missing requirement for me.