Printed from www.pcpro.co.uk
Posted on March 2nd, 2011 by Jonathan Bray
Apple iPad 2 review: first look
So we now know what the iPad 2 will look like, what the specifications are and what it can do. You know when it will be here and even what the price will be like (click here for our live blog of the announcement and the news story). But what is it really like in the metal, what is it like to hold and use?
iPad 2: read our full and comprehensive review here
At the launch event we had the opportunity to hold one of these babies, use it and experience it. And our first impressions are positive. That’s not suprising, given that its predecessor was a pretty polished product, but the iPad 2 takes things to the next level.
Physically, it’s a subtle, yet significant change. The iPad 2 is much thinner and lighter than its predecessor: in fact, at 8.8mm front to back, it’s thinner than the iPhone 4 and rivals Samsung’s upcoming super-slim Galaxy Tab 10.1. At 601g for the Wi-Fi version compared to 680g of the previous version it’s much more svelte, and when you pick it up the design changes are immediately noticeable. You could never call the original a porker, but this embarrasses it.
In the hand it’s like a giant iPod touch with a matte aluminium rear panel, and as you’d expect from Apple, it feels supremely well built, with nary a hint of creak nor mismatched seam anywhere. And the port, buttons and switches are all found in familiar places. There’s a front-facing VGA video camera, and in the corner on the rear, a 720p-capable camera too. As for the rumours of Thunderbolt integration, well they turned out to be just that – rumours.
One really nice feature about the new design is the new screen cover. Using magnets built into the case of the iPad 2 itself, this snaps neatly into place on the long, left edge of the device. It’s self-locating and protects the screen without adding too much to the bulk or weight.
The IPS display is unchanged, though, and that’s a mild disappointment: it’s still 9.7in from corner to corner, still sports a resolution of 1,024 x 768, which means it lags behind many of the upcoming Google Android Honeycomb tablets. It still looks lovely, though, and the IPS technology ensures great viewing angles and excellent contrast.
It was difficult to tell how the new processor, and the improvements to Safari, affect the performance of the device, but it did feel extremely responsive and the new hardware should give plenty of headroom for more demanding applications in future (the new iMovie and Garageband apps to name but two).
Just to reiterate, however, the iPad has a new dual-core 1GHz A5 processor, and uprated graphics. Apple claims “up to nine times” faster performance for the latter – a typically vague statement from Apple – but it again should give games developers headroom to develop even more ambitious titles. What should also add to the gaming experience is the new three-axis gyroscope, allowing finer control for steering in driving games and the like.
The only concern we have is over battery life. Apple claims its engineers have managed to keep its efficiency to the same level as the original, but with a far more powerful dual-core processor and slimmer profile it’s hard to believe that the device will last for the 10 hours continuous use Apple is claiming.
But with prices that are set to come in at the same level as the previous version (the Wi-Fi version will cost $499, $599 and $699 for 16GB, 32GB and 64GB; 3G comes in at $629 $729 and $829), and a design that’s lovelier than ever, we have no doubt the iPad 2 will be a huge success. We await our review sample with interest.
Second opinion – The iPad 2: yes, but still, what’s it for?
You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
34 Responses to “ Apple iPad 2 review: first look ”
Leave a Reply
Authors
- Barry Collins
- Chris Brennan
- Christine Horton
- Darien Graham-Smith
- Dave Stevenson
- Davey Winder
- David Bayon
- David Fearon
- Ewen Rankin
- Ian Devlin
- Jon Honeyball
- Jonathan Bray
- Kevin Partner
- Mike Jennings
- Nicole Kobie
- Sasha Muller
- Steve Cassidy
- Stewart Mitchell
- Stuart Turton
- Tim Danton
- Tom Arah
Categories
- About the bloggers
- Android App of the Week
- cloud computing
- From Gmail to Hotmail
- Green
- Hardware
- How To
- iPhone App of the Week
- Just in
- Microsoft Office 2010
- Newsdesk
- Online business
- Random
- Rant
- Real World Computing
- Software
- View from the Labs
- Web
- Windows 7
- Windows 8
Archives
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
advertisement
March 2nd, 2011 at 8:34 pm
As predicted by many, not a major update, but a good incremental improvement. If I already had an iPad I wouldn’t upgrade, but as this will be my first, I’m quite happy (as soon as it’s released onto the Apple store to buy it!).
Does the new cover fold completely back so you can use the device in your hand without removing it?
March 2nd, 2011 at 8:34 pm
How much RAM do the new models have? My existing iPad sometimes runs out of memory ( not SSD but RAM )
March 2nd, 2011 at 9:38 pm
No Flash, Or Extra Storage which should have been the first improvements.
March 2nd, 2011 at 9:39 pm
I would guess that it has 512MB of RAM like the iPhone 4. Was hoping to see a higher screen resolution. 1280×1024.
March 2nd, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Surprised to see that the iPad is still not capable of running Flash Player. Not. A damp squib ahead of iPad 3 later this year. Still don’t know what I’d do with it if I had one.
March 2nd, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Ok update, not great, but ok. I will be sticking with my current iPad. Does anyone know if garage band will be available to the iPad 1st gen with the 4.3 update?
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:46 pm
Will make my long train commute go a lot quicker – can’t wait to buy one
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:51 pm
Any comments on multitasking? The first iPad is pretty clunky in this area.
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:56 pm
How about giving us the screen size in millimetres?
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Any news yet on whether or not iPad 1 will continue to be for sale at a reduced price? If they knocked a couple of hundred quid off it you’d have a bargain.
March 2nd, 2011 at 11:36 pm
UK apple store showing new iPad 1’s at £100 off, starting at £329 The refurb store was showing used iPads startng from around £379, but I imagine they are going to be around £299 which isn’t bad
March 3rd, 2011 at 12:12 am
You’re not surprised at all, Kevin
You know exactly why it doesn’t and won’t. And that iPad 3 speculation is just that.
March 3rd, 2011 at 12:18 am
I take it there is no sound on your video, or is it just my machine?
I look forward to hearing your podcast comments on its weight since I remember that was one of the main criticisms some of the staff had.
March 3rd, 2011 at 12:57 am
No USB or mem slot so cannot connect my camera, a real shame as serene ideal for looking at the days shots while travelling. I just hope the opposition will be as good as I will not get a new iPad wiThout this.
March 3rd, 2011 at 5:57 am
Pity there is no SD card socket built in and again no Flash Player
March 3rd, 2011 at 6:50 am
As an existing iPad user I will not be upgrading. Very happy with it, biggest problem is still no support for Flash Player. Apple need to sort out their differences with Adobe or it will be rerun of the old Windows vs MacOS of the 80s and 90s.
March 3rd, 2011 at 7:12 am
Yet another money-grabbing exercise sure to be bought by the millions of deluded Applytes.
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:11 am
so its smaller and has a 2nd camera. Wow.
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:22 am
Good pics and thoughts as usual guys but is it enough to keep ahead of the pack for the next year? Personally I don’t think so.
Also the iPad 2 isn’t enough to make me want to move into Apple’s walled garden after being used to the freedom, flexibility and customisation of Android smartphones .
I await some hands on time with the new Galaxy Tab and Motorola Zoom before deciding if it’s time in general to replace my trusty travel netbook with a tablet PC.
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:22 am
It’s a nice update, shame they left the screen resolution the same.
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:25 am
@Joe – the price for iPad 1 has dropped to £329.
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:27 am
@SirFico – Use the camera connection kit – I have not had a problem with any of my cameras – Sony DSLR, Sony point and shoot, Sanyo Xacti.
March 3rd, 2011 at 10:02 am
it looks nice but still has less functionality than my netbook which is a lot cheaper.
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:03 am
LOL expensive junk; my Advent Vega
is MUCH cheaper and far more capable than either WiFi iPad, after some visits to Modaco
March 3rd, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Samsung Galaxy Tab and other Android pads operate independently of a PC or Mac. But iPad/iPod/etc are dependent on iTunes which is abysmal. Good though the iPad 2 looks, I will stick with my Tab, awaiting Honeycomb. Also I am free of Apple lock-in. My BlueTooth is not braindead. Etc.
March 3rd, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Peoples perspectives appear to be:
- It’s Apple and therefore evil
- but it doesnt have a * where * can be anything from a USB connector to a warp drive
- my abacus can do loads more and is cheaper
Please can we take all of the above as read. I am more interested in : how will it work with skype (as opposed to facetime), how will the printing work? after being used for a while how are the screens standing up to scratches?
When the Ipad 1 was launched it was interesting: those not at the event said it wouldnt catch on; those who tried it out for real, who touched and used it said it would be a run away success. Does the same split exist with the Ipad2?
March 3rd, 2011 at 2:19 pm
chrisfixit-yes lets all go back to windows mobile/Blackberry and keyboards as the smartphone interface.Surely Nokia are deluded as its only a matter of time before google android accepts failure also.
Zoom=heavier/slower/more expensive/poorer graphics.Independence comes at a price.Msoft knows this well
March 3rd, 2011 at 2:21 pm
“in the hand it’s like a giant iPod touch”
Well, yes. Because that’s essentially what it is. Not to take anything away from the iPad but what is it, other than a 10 inch iPod Touch?
March 3rd, 2011 at 3:57 pm
“so its smaller and has a 2nd camera. Wow.”
So it’s at least twice as fast, yet manages to be thinner/lighter, be the same price AND maintain a 10h hour battery life. And that sweet smart cover? Oh and 65,000 dedicated apps? WOW.
Was more than what I was expected for an ‘incremental’ update..
March 3rd, 2011 at 5:34 pm
I love the iPad, (I have one that I’m typing on right now), it is amazing. I’m betting that everyone that has put a negative comment has never even used one, the iPad is an experience, without using one you can understand what it’s like. I would really like to get the iPad two, but I’m perfectly happy with mine (my biggest grudge is the smart case, which should have been an original feature, and that it comes in WHITE!!! Something else that should have been original). However if and when the 3 comes out I will update then!
March 4th, 2011 at 10:12 am
People like to knock the iPad; whats it for ? too big to be portable, doesn’t support flash, no true multi-tasking, overpriced.
I was edging with that side of opinion, but I jumped at the chance to buy one 2nd hand 6 months ago at a very good price and haven’t looked back since, it is easily the most used device in my house, used by the whole family, and I use it for work too. The iPad2, I will get one when I see it at a reasonable 2nd hand price, but the best thing for the sceptics, with the flood of upgraders the iPad1 will be cheaper 2nd hand, so get one and try it for yourself.
March 6th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
All you Yearners-for-Flash, you just don’t “Get It” do you? This is a Post-PC device. It doesn’t NEED Flash anymore!
When you immerse yourself in the Apple ecosystem, Flash is no longer relevant. You no longer need to use it. Want News & Information? There’s a PAID app or PAID app subscription for that!
Wanna get a Film Review? Surf the Net or use an App? Local Restaurant? App or Net? When you use the non-Flash Apps why support archaic Flash?
When/If you do go out in the “wild” to look at cheap sites, with low quality (paid by Ad) information that have Flash, you use a PC/Mac laptop! That’s what these power hungry heat-sinks were built for!
Flash – It’s like wanting to use leaded petrol for your electric car!
March 9th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
The new iPad 2 looks good, and while the improvements may not suit everyone’s tastes, they are going in the right direction. Better to get incremental improvements that are tested and work than twice as many that are untested, rushed out and cause problems later on. I own an iPhone 3GS, am waiting to see whether to upgrade to the iPhone 4 or what date the iPhone 5 will be released in Ireland. No problems with the phone, the technology is sound, no keyboard, mouse, wifi adapters etc to get lost, broken or damaged. Good luck to Apple, the technology market needs something to shake it up, the original iPad spawned a lot of ‘wannabe’ iPads, probably because the clone makers decided it was too good an opportunity to miss making quick cash out of.
March 28th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
It is indeed an impressive device. I’m an android fan but I gotta admit that I’m absolutely tempted to move to iOS. Feel sorry for those who just bought the first old fashion iPad