Everything you need to know about the Apple iPad 2

Barely six weeks after the US launch, the iPad 2 is here! Thanks to 19 million sold worldwide, the iPad is a brand in itself & the limited stocks are selling out fast. Karan Bajaj, Nimish Dubey & Hitesh Raj Bhagat cast a critical eye on the iPad 2 to figure out just how much better it has become and whether its worth your hard-earned money


SHOULD YOU UPGRADE?
If you play a lot of graphics intensive games or do audio/video editing then its worth upgrading to the iPad 2. Video calling is another potential reason to upgrade with the the new camera additions. Also, if you are the type that likes to try out a lot of applications with applications running in the background, the iPad 2’s dualcore A5 processor will work its charm here. On the other hand, if you use the iPad mainly for multimedia i.e., watching videos, listening to music, you don’t need to upgrade. Most applications for social networking/entertainment/ productivity do not require the dual core processor or the gyro sensor in the iPad 2 and are likely to not need it in the immediate future.


iPAD 2 VS COMPETITION
In terms tech specs, the iPad 2 does not really pose too great a challenge to other tablets like the BlackBerry PlayBook, Motorola Xoom and the forthcoming Samsung Galaxy Tabs (8.9 and 10.1). The real edge of the iPad has always been what one could do with it, rather than the insides. And that, thanks to the App Store, remains unchanged — BlackBerry and the Android 3.0 tablets, for all their promise and beefy specs, are not really in the same league. Until that changes, other tablets will always be playing catch up with the iPad. No tablet can do more, as “there's an app” for just about everything. The Apple aura and good looks help too. As does that relatively low price tag.


NO CHANGE HERE
For starters, the screen size and resolution is identical to the iPad 1. Which means that the approximate length and width stay the same — those who need a more portable device should consider a 7-inch tablet. The battery life is still excellent — about 10 hours on a single charge, which, for the occasional user, could translate into a week or more of battery life. The basic layout of the buttons (volume rocker, mute switch, power button) and ports (30-pin connector, headphones) remains the same, though the placement is not exactly the same owing to the reduced thickness. And finally , the interface and basic operation is unchanged, so existing users will be right at home.


BURNING QUESTIONS

Is the performance enhancement apparent?

Yes, if you’re using an application that requires a lot of processing power. So if you are tweaking video clips in iMovie or playing a game with rich graphics (like N.O.V.A. 2) or just messing around with tunes in GarageBand, you will see a significant improvement – screen load times are shorter and especially in iMovie, video editing and even changing the sound happens at lightning speed. We have not seen too many notebooks do it this fast!

Just how good is the Smart Cover that Apple is promoting?

After using it for a while, we think it has more style than substance. For one, it does not cover the back of the tablet and it can come off while carrying the iPad inside a particularly crowded bag Yes, we love the snap-on hinges that ensure the cover is properly aligned and the fact that attaching the cover puts the iPad to sleep, and peeling it off switches it on. But the truth is: we’re already looking for a more solid cover for the device.

Will existing iPad 1 accessories work with the iPad 2?

Mostly, no. The Apple case for the iPad 1 might work in a pinch, but is not ideal. The camera connection kit will work, but the desktop dock and keyboard dock will not since the iPad 2 is a fair bit thinner. Third-party cases and mounts for the iPad will not work because the slimmer, tapered design changes the placement of buttons and ports slightly. Plus older cases will not have an aperture for the camera lens or the new speaker grill.

How much of a difference exists between the US and India prices for the iPad 2?

The US price for the base version of the iPad 2 (16GB Wi-Fi only) is $499 — that translates to roughly Rs 22,500 — which means that it is cheaper by Rs 7,000. The difference in price goes up when you look at the top-of-the-line 64GB Wi-Fi + 3G version — Rs 46,900 in India and $829 in the US (or Rs 37,200 — a difference of Rs 9,700).

Does the reduction in weight and thickness make much of a difference?

Since the iPad 2 is a device that you have to hold up, every gram reduced is very welcome (and noticable). The reduced thickness looks very good when using it with the Smart Cover, but is a moot point if you plan to get a case with some more protection.