Since its launch, Apple’s iPad was a serious thread to classic notebooks and it raised the technology expectations to another level, unthinkable before and hard to defeat today. Now the time has come for Apple to upgrade it’s iPad, bringing it to a whole new level, to confirm its leader position on the tablet market, so since they have announced the release of iPad 2, lots of people wanted to see what exactly iPad 2 means and what are the main differences between iPad and iPad 2.We are going to present a step by step confrontation, a little iPad Vs. iPad 2 match, based on the specs offered by Apple, and in the end we are going to declare a winner, taking in consideration the price. With all the information aboard, let’s start this battle and see exactly what are the new things bought by iPad 2.
iPad
iPad was launched on 3rd April 2010 and in 2010 Apple sold 14,79 units worldwide. It relies on online services like iTunes store, App store, Mobile Me, iBook store or Safari to personalize and populate the tablet with applications or content. The main idea of this device was not to use any electrical conductivity when you want to select something from the screen, basically making it very easy to use iPad anywhere. It has also an ambient light sensor to adjust screen brightness and a 3-axis accelerometer to sense the devices orientation, to switch from portrait and landscape modes. It was a revolutionary device regarding this sensor because unlike iPhone and iPod Touch, it could support screen rotation in all four orientations.
iPad
iPad 2
iPad 2 is going to be launched on 17th March 2011 and it seems like Apple understood what features it has to add on it, based on the feed-back received from the previous tablet. The question is, have they managed to change the old iPad enough in order to satisfy the customers demands, or they realized meaningless changes and hope to sell iPad 2 due to its predecessors rename? At first sight, it seems like iPad 2 has nothing in common with the old iPad, except Apple’s logo, but is it? Let’s see exactly what the main changes are.
iPad 2
iPad vs iPad 2 Specs: First sight Confrontation
iPad vs iPad 2 Table
We are going to analyze some of the most important lines presented in the table above, and at each section there will be a winner or a tie. Let’s see how the two tablets from apple managed to differentiate and who will win this confrontation.
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iPad vs iPad 2: Dimensions and Weight
The first thing that you’ll notice between iPad and iPad 2 is the size. iPad 2 is thinner and smoother on the edges, being also a little bit smaller. The huge difference is the weight, where iPad 2 manages to be lighter than iPad, making it easier to handle and less solicitation for your hands if you are using it for a long time without putting it down. At this point iPad 2 has the advantage, while iPad stands behind with a little more weight and over-sized dimensions.
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Battery lifetime
When it comes to battery lifetime, we have a tie situation because both iPad and iPad 2 shares the same battery which can provide 10 hours of continuous usage without recharging. It is a pretty good value, if you think that those 10 hours actually means uninterrupted usage of the processor by surfing on the internet, playing games, running different applications or just watching videos. In a stand-by mode, both iPad and iPad 2 can provide a 1 month period before recharging.
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iPad vs iPad 2: Display
Even if iPad 2 is a little bit smaller than iPad, they share the same 9.7 inch display making it again a tie. It can display a 1024 x 768 resolution and it’s made from a fingerprint-resistant and scratch-resistant glass with a great response at the commands. The 9.7 inch liquid crystal display has two important sensors that adjust to ambient light and also the brightness so that you will see the same high quality images even if you move from indoors to outdoors. Nobody wins at this section, let’s move forward.
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Operating System
iPad comes with the classic iOS 4.2.1, as its upgraded version, iPad 2, comes with an upgraded version of the OS: 4.3. The iOS 4.3 brings out a new feature that allows you to customize the side switch button. You can make it a volume button which allows you to toggle between volume on and mute, or to lock the screen in landscape of portrait view. This iOS is going to be available once the iPad 2 launches and the good news is that if you have iPad, you can upgrade it. Considering the last argument, we declare this a tie.
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iPad vs iPad 2:Processor
As we can see from the table above, iPad 2 is equipped with new processor from Apple, which can only mean that it is faster. Its dual-core processor can make the difference when it comes on running multiple applications or playing games, but if you add the upgraded version of iPads Apple A4, Apple A5 system on a chip then you have a warranty of this new iPad 2 performance. After you will play a little bit on the new iPad 2, you’ll start to refer at iPad as ancient. This section is won by iPad 2!
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Memory
Here, Apple didn’t specify any exact info about the new iPad 2 memory, but we an assume that it will be equipped with at least 256 MB of RAM ( which will bring a tie at this section ) or we can hope for more and ask for a 512 MB of RAM ( in this case making iPad 2 to win this section, and if we consider that Apple upgraded the processor, we can afford to be 51% sure that iPad 2 will have the 512 MB of RAM). But because we don’t have an official statement of this spec, we are going to consider this section a tie.
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Camera
With no doubts iPad 2 wins this section because, as you know iPad has no front or rear cameras and iPad 2 is equipped with a VGA front-facing camera and a 720p HD rear-facing camera, being optimized for video-calls.
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Storage
Both models, iPad and iPad 2 can be purchased in a 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB version, so nothing new here. Without any further comments at this section: TIE!
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iPad vs iPad 2: Wireless and Geolocation
Both models have the same specs at this section, Apple sharing the tech from iPad to iPad 2. This can only mean one thing: if it was applied for the iPad 2 it can assure us that it works well as you probably noticed on the iPad, if you used this function often. Tie at this section also
iPad vs iPad 2: Conclusion
iPad 2 will come trough AT&T and Verizon (the model with Wi-Fi + 3G) in 17th March 2011 and its price will start from $499. As we could see from the confrontation above, iPad 2 definitely win it, but will it win after its launch? Will Apple have at least the same success with iPad 2 as they had with iPad? We think that they will, but do you?
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i am having difficulties choosing between ipad and ipad 2 and this website really helped. THANK YOU!!!!!
We are glad that we could help you Jessica. Take care!
Such a good review!
!
Thanks for it. It been a while to choose which Ipad to buy.
But now I know, that Ipad 2 meets my requirements
With best regards Pavel.
I am trying to decide between the ipad and the ipad2…(obviously:) )
My situation is as follows:
I run a non- profit organization for at-risk children here in The Bahamas and I was impressed with the educational apps advertised for the ipad2. Are the same apps are available on the original?
As you would imagine we are trying to keep cost down while purchasing a tablet that can assist with our cause and be secured easily.
Personally I prefer my macbook pro but, I need ease of use for children and no virus threats!
I need to make a decision and I am still on the fence.
Hello Tee,
Although the applications are the same for both tablets, because there are no hardware requirements on most of them, I would go for the iPad 2. The price difference is not as big between them and the latest one would receive support for longer periods. Also, it can play multiple media formats so that should help your organization. Once more, if you are looking only from the Apps + virus free view, go for the iPad 1. If you want something more media friendly, go for the sequel.
Hope it helps
my dad asked me which one i wanted for christmas and this lil discussion helped loads!! IPAD 2 is definatly thank u so much!!!(:
Trying to decide which ipad to purchase. I travel occasionally to Europe, can either one be used in another country and do I need any special apps for use in another country? Would I need WI-FI with 3G or would just 3G be enough? I like to watch movies on the plane, e-mail to check on things at home, FB, use internet for information content. Any suggestion would be helpful.
Thank you,
Susan
Well, it’s better to be equipped with the Wi-Fi rather than just 3G. In some countries the 3G network can be poor quality so, a connection to Wi-Fi will save the situation. I would choose iPad 2, mostly because there are lots of improved specs. I had the chance to test both models, iPad isn’t bad, but it you play with iPad 2 you’ll quickly forget about iPad.
In the end, you have to do a test by yourself to check witch one fits you the best. Many electronic stores allow clients to test the products.
Regards, Thomas Chess!
Trying to determine which i pad is best suited for my 6 yr. old grandson who has autism. Please advise.
Hi guys,
I need some advice. I currently have an iphone and a laptop but was thinking of getting an ipad for Christmas. The only thing is im finding it hard to justify buying one as surely they are just a larger iphone?
Seeing as i already have an iphone and a laptop, can you shed any light on why it would benefit me to buy an ipad? which one would you suggest for a first time buyer if you think i should get one?
Your help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Well Jonathan, the iPad blends the principle of a phone into a laptop, allowing you to do things at a larger scale than with your iPhone and with more ease than with a laptop. At this stage, my personal opinion is that tablets are just a luxury for those that only want to watch movies or play a game, and a good tools for those that want to do their work on a basic level. I am talking about people who’s job does not depend on high-resource using tools, like writers.
It all depends on what you want to do with the iPad.
i was thinking of buying an ipad. myself, an interior designer, as i keep traveling, i wanted to understand whether i can do sketching on ipad. plus i like to read books(e-books on ipad). sometimes, if required, access autocad files in case of emergency. Does excel & word documents work on an ipad. does it have a USB connection? should i buy it, if yes then ipad1 or ipad2
Alex, thanks for the reply. Ive decided not to go for an ipad but instead go for the Asus Eee Pad Transformer, looks like a lot more for the money.
Excell & Word documents work on the iPad, but you may need to download an application to open them. Both devices have an USB port.
Answering Tom re autistic child and ipad:
On Sunday, 10/23, 60 Minutes had a whole segment on using the ipad with autistic children. It was pretty amazing. Check it out.
Doris
I’m looking at the Ipad for academic reasons….mostly for pdf’s of journal articles. I might also use some of the web utilities when on the road. It’s looking like the original might be the way to go for my needs….do you agree?
Is the facetime used as an app or can it be used wth skype or how does that work?
In just one word differentiate between ipad1 and ipad2.
One big drawback that I have been hearing about with respect to the iPad and the iPad 2. They don’t allow you to view video through various media players such as adobe flash drive. I am nervous that if I purchase this product I am going to be disappointed with its shortcomings. Any thoughts or ways around this?
Trying to decide whether to beg for ipad or ipad 2 any major differences that could affect my decisions when all i like to do is game on it?
I have a great opportunity to purchase a barely used ipad 1, 64gb, wifi/3G for only $325. I love the idea of using facetime on the ipad 2 but at current prices, I would only be able to get an (Apple) refurbished ipad 2, with “32gb” for $499 and “NO” 3G. Although, I am not that stuck to the 3G, as I could always pay to hotspot through my cell phone. But for the price differential….am I nuts to turn down double the GB’s and pay more for having a camera? I can facetime through my iphone! My usage is video streaming (netflix) and checking emails etc…
If I have the 3G Model will I need to have a monthly subscription with a cell phone provider?
I currently use AT&T for my phone, but I do not pay for a data package.
After owning both the original iPad and the iPad 2 64gb versions, the decision is easy. iPad 2 all the way. Although they are a bit more expensive than the original, every extra penny is well spent. Personally I could care less about the cameras and the slimmed design of the 2nd version. But after a day of playing around on both, my arms and hands fell much less fatigued using the iPad 2 because of the weight difference and after 5 minutes of playing around on the 2nd one, you can tell that it is much faster than the first. After owning both I would say just spend the extra money and get the iPad 2, not only can you get lots of new accessories due to most of the acessories unique to the original have ceased production but the extra speed and for most people aesthetics are well worth it. You won’t be disappointed either way, but from an owner of both, buy the iPad 2.
I think that is one of the so much important info for me. And i’m glad studying your article. But should commentary on some normal things, The web site taste is great, the articles is really nice : D. Just right job, cheers
Can I use a webcam with the iPad to Skype? How does running PowerPoint look on the iPad? From my research, it looks like I will need an app to run PowerPoint, yes? trying to decide whether to keep the used iPad I got as a gift or sell it and get an iPad 2…
thank you for your input, especially about autism, the link was very helpful and exactly what we were looking for
Whats the price range from the 16gb to 64gb?