With the huge following the iPad has generated the previous year, it is not surprising that the iPad 2 has made a similar, if not bigger, impact on the market. The iPad has practically paved way for the tablet market, setting the bar pretty high for competitors.
The iPad, however, was far from being the perfect tablet having a number of issues on both its software and hardware. The recent release of the iPad 2 is in most instances an attempt to address some of the shortcomings suffered by the original iPad. With the release of the iPad 2, the question still stands: does it live up to the hype it has generated?
External Hardware
If you own one of the first gen iPads, the first thing you’ll probably notice about the iPad 2 is its size—it’s a tad smaller than the first model and a whole lot thinner. The iPad 2′s thickest part measures only .34 inches, making it around a third thinner than the original model. It is also a little bit lighter than its predecessor, but not so much that it becomes instantly noticeable. The iPad 2′s surface is similar to the older model with one difference: cameras, both front and rear-facing.
Yes, Apple has finally added the much-needed (and the much-asked-for) camera on the iPad 2. It may be too early to jump for joy, however, as the iPad’s camera proves to be inferior compared to even the iPhone 4′s. However, with the cameras in place, despite its quality, the iPad 2 now offers video call capabilities to users—a rather useful feature on any tablet.
As is essential to most tablets, Apple promises better battery life on the iPad 2. Several tests have shown Apple to have made good on this promise, with results pegging the iPad 2′s battery life with a continuous video playback, WiFi and a relatively bright screen setting, to last 10 hours and 30 minutes.
Hardware Conclusion
Video call capability, battery life and a sleeker design is huge step up from its original model, but the iPad 2 offers little else in terms of its external hardware improvements. Despite this, the iPad 2 is set to be a top competitor (as Apple has always been), in the second generation tablet market.
Ipad 2 Software
A successful tablet finds an effective balance between its hardware and software. Reviewing the iPad 2 on its hardware alone is a disservice to Apple, which has shown a commendable effort at improving some of the issues encountered by the first generation iPad.
Software
Software for Apple is a touchy subject. While the company has developed a competent and competitive operating system for the iPad, most owners believe Apple could have done better.
As Apple rolls out the iPad 2, Flash compatibility still remains an Apple owner’s wet dream. With the iPad 2 having no Flash support, it looks like Apple continues its crusade to avoid anything that has to do with it.
The software update that came with the iPad 2, however, has some welcome surprises up its sleeve, most notably, faster browsing. Tests have shown the iPad 2′s browsing to be almost twice as fast compared to the original iPad running on the older operating system.
Multitasking on the iPad 2 proves to be better in every way compared to its predecessor. Side by side, it quickly becomes apparent that the original iPad’s multitasking capabilities is pretty clunky.
Camera Applications
There are notable applications that had rolled in with the release of the iPad 2— FaceTime and Photobooth. With the iPad 2 sporting front and rear-facing cameras, it is hardly surprising that camera apps will be made available. FaceTime, and Photobooth are hardly new applications if you own other Apple products, but on the iPad 2, these are huge steps forward. Both applications refreshingly work well with the tablet, considering its low-quality camera. The workability of the apps more than make up for the iPad 2 camera’s lack.
Software Conclusion
The software upgrade is an excellent complement to the iPad 2. The tablet’s improved processor and memory , coupled with the new operating system allows for a significantly faster experience. All these combine to make the iPad 2 a definite improvement, propelling it once again to the top spot on the tablet market.
Ipad 2 Internal Hardware
Internal hardware is an equally important focal point for any tablet. A device can have the best software and external hardware, but it can only go so far with limited processing power. Apple has promised better overall performance with the iPad 2, stressing a new and improved internal hardware.
The Insides
While the iPad 2 may look a lot like the original iPad on the outside, save for the front and rear-facing cameras, it packs a significantly different and better internal hardware. The iPad 2 boasts a 1 GHz dual core processor, the A5, that is a leap from the A4. The dual core processor handles the iPad 2′s multitasking like a charm.
Playing around with the apps, the iPad 2 has also clocked in consistently higher speeds compared with the original iPad and with the iPhone 4. Performance tests have registered the iPad 2 at more than twice the figures clocked in by the iPhone 4 and almost 40% faster than the iPad.
The iPad 2′s RAM receives mixed reactions. Having only 512Mb of RAM, the iPad 2 is at the same level as the iPhone 4, and has twice as much as its predecessor. The increase in memory helps in the tablet’s browsing speed which was somewhat of an issue for the first gen iPads. Some, however, believe that the iPad 2 could have done with more RAM. At the moment, tests have proven the phones memory to be enough, coupled with the tablet’s processor.
Internal Hardware Conclusion
The iPad 2′s increased processing power has allowed for faster performance, making its other improvements even better. While the phone’s RAM is could have been a little better, there is no indication of it bottlenecking the processor’s performance, so there really isn’t any major problems. In fact, performance is better than ever.
Overall, the iPad 2 is a huge leap forward, deserving of some of the hype it received. The improvements, most notably the OS upgrade and the processing power, mesh together extremely well to provide users with a fast and intuitive experience—both of which are hallmarks of a top of the line tablet such as the iPad 2.
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