The iPad 2 has hit the shelves worldwide, and Apple is struggling to fill orders amid huge demand. I managed to get my hands on one to see whether the iPad 2 lives up to the hype and whether it is worth the upgrade from the first-generation iPad.
Design
There is nothing evolutionary in iPad 2’s design compared to its predecessor, but small enhancements have made it look and feel more polished. Notably, Apple managed to make the iPad 2 smaller, thinner and lighter. The iPad 2 is has a height of just under 10 inches, nearly 8 inches in width, and less than an inch thick. It is also light, at just 1.33 pounds.
There are now color variations, with options of a black design in addition to the default white. Combine this with its curved design and rear edges, and the iPad 2 is smoother looking and more comfortable to hold than the first-generation model. That being said, the metallic silver rear feels slippery when handled with dry hands.
Hardware
A disappointment is that the iPad 2 has the same 9.7 inch, 1024 by 768 pixel resolution display as the last model. Apple did, however, make quite a few enhancements in other regards, including the addition of a dual core processor, front and rear cameras, three-axis gyroscopes ,and 1080p HDMI output capability.
These features combined with those of the original iPad keep the device at the technological forefront. Among the carry-over features are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, built-in speaker, microphone, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, and AGPS (in the Wi-Fi + 3G models).
Performance
Remarkably, the iPad 2 still managed to retain the superb battery life of its predecessor even with the added horsepower. With the new gyroscopes, the iPad 2 seems better able to detect changes in screen orientation, and it is easier to use its automatic screen rotation feature.
Cameras
Although I’m glad the iPad 2 features both front and rear cameras, as it opens new possibilities in taking photos, video, and in making video calls, the extremely poor quality of the cameras came as a disappointment.
Even in well-lit rooms, videos and photos taken with the rear camera are grainy looking and uninspiring. THe quality of the front camera seems even worse, but is grudgingly acceptable for use with chat applications including FaceTime.
Software
The launch of the iPad 2 prompted the release of the Apple iOS 4.3 operating system, which improves browser performance, adds broader AirPlay support, and gives new options to configure the mute switch to be used to lock screen rotation.
Games and media applications are also releasing updates to take advantage of the full 1080p HDMI high definition output capability of the iPad 2.
Media
The combination of the operating system upgrade and the new dual core processor makes Web browsing a more enjoyable experience on the iPad 2. Sadly, it is still unable to view websites with Flash content, which limits the online experience.
The iPad 2 is capable of displaying stutter-free video 720p, which makes it a wonderful for watching movies on the go. However, since it only has a single built-in speaker, it is unable to produce stereo sound, and may not be loud enough for some environments. This problem can be circumvented by plugging in a stereo headset or external speakers. Using a Digital AV adapter, which is sold separately, the iPad 2 can even output 1080p HD video straight to an HD television.
No doubt, the iPad 2 also excels as a gaming device. WIth the added processing and graphical capabilities, we can expect more advanced, resource-hungry games to be released for the device in the near future.
Accessories
Of all the accessories released for the iPad 2, the Smart Cover is definitely a must-have. Instead attaching it using unsightly clasps or straps, the simple cover adheres magnetically to the side of the iPad 2, leaving the display completely uncluttered when opened. Besides protecting the screen, it also puts the iPad 2 to sleep when the cover is closed, and automatically wakes it up when opened. It can even be folded into a few different positions to be used as a stand for the iPad 2.
Another useful accessory is the Apple Digital AV adapter that enables the iPad 2 to output pictures and HD videos to a HD television. It also allows for video mirroring that can take whatever is shown on an iPad 2 and duplicate it on an HD television.
Verdict
The iPad 2 is undeniably the best table device currently on the market, despite not having the best hardware specifications. It looks good, has a good feel to it, and is reasonably priced for what it features and delivers.
If you are an existing iPad owner, however, there are few reasons to upgrade. Yet with looks and additional power aside, one good reason to upgrade would be if you need video conferencing on your iPad. Anyone who does presentations could also find the upgrade worthwhile, thanks to its HD video output capability.
[etRating value=“ 4”]
