Apple iPad 2 Review
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Considered a marvelous feat in its own regard, Apple’s engineers have managed to impressively make the latest iPad 33 percent thinner than its predecessor – while still retaining its purported 10 hours of continuous video playback. Strictly using Wi-Fi and manually setting its brightness to the 50 percent mark, we’re able to get at least two solid days of normal usage with the iPad 2. Clearly it’s more than acceptable since even heavy users can go on for even a good day without the worry of charging it.
Conclusion:
As much as Apple touts its wonderfully new slimmer design, which we openly agree as being eye catching, one of the most alluring things about the iPad 2 is its spot on pricing. At $500 for the entry-level model, you’re presented with a fantastic looking tablet that’s filled with plenty of goodies to make it a worthy successor. Although it might not be a dramatic leap over its original in terms of pure hardware upgrades, it’s fittingly more in line as being an evolutionary step for the line. In addition, there’s no arguing that Apple is going to sell a boatload of iPad 2s, especially when they have a tight grasp on the market right now in this category, but there is one alarming concern that we have.
Of all things, the biggest eyesore with the iPad 2 is its stale and stagnant iOS experience that hasn’t necessarily reached a new level in keeping up with the times. Still slim when it comes to the personalization aspect of iOS, we just feel that it’s time to see the platform overhauled – much like what we see with Android 3.0 Honeycomb to separate it from its smartphone OS sibling. As much as we adore its simple nature, it’s going to require some work in polishing up some key aspects of its interface to truly deliver that surreal next world tablet experience. Looking at the rapid pace that Android is evolving, iOS will quickly need to follow in a similar structure with each new iPad release in order to keep its masterful hold on the market.
Software version of the reviewed unit: iOS 4.3 (8F191)
Apple iPad 2 Video Review:
Pros
- Impressive thin profile
- Fast performance with its A5 processor
- Enabled for video chat
- Solid price point
Cons
- Shoots terrible photos
- Same old iOS experience
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24 Comments
1. 3MTA3 (unregistered) posted on 16 Mar 2011, 07:21 1 0
So why in the picture does the ipad 1 & 2 dwarf the XOOM? 9.7 incher compared to 10.1 XOOM but in the picture they make the maxipads larger than everything else? Even Engadget did this - give me a break!
6. p0rkguy posted on 16 Mar 2011, 09:01 2 0
I don't know about you but that seems like the correct scaling in the pictures.
The iPad is using a 4:3 while the Xoom is using 16:10. So it's not weird for the iPad to be "taller".
2. Shubh (unregistered) posted on 16 Mar 2011, 07:24 3 1
I'm no apple fanboy and I gotta say this product is a winner!
And 1st! :)
25. RobinMATHuur (unregistered) posted on 15 Apr 2011, 13:39 1 0
sorry u are SECOND :D hahahaha
5. not good enough (unregistered) posted on 16 Mar 2011, 08:33 4 1
"we’re greeted with a product that pushes the envelope in the design and hardware department"
OK, I'll give Apple a justified 'A' for design however, pushing the envelope in the hardware department they did NOT do whatsoever.
Let's see. . .
Poor cameras--VGA 0.7MP?!?! That's just sad!
NO standard ports--hdmi, usb => purchase an expensive proprietary dongle.
NO SD expansion slote => make sure you upgrade to the larger version because you can't expand the memory or have easy file transfers.
NO 4G => that just gimps the device => upgrade to iPad 3 asap
NO HD screen - retina display may not be possible but at least a bump to HD would have been nice.
Only 512MB RAM. . . what's that about?
Sorry, no real envelope pushing on the hardware side whatsoever.
And you all pretty much covered how "stale" iOS is. . . enough said.
7. Ant1 (unregistered) posted on 16 Mar 2011, 10:28 1 0
Has any 1 notice,that since app 4.3 update photos taken by the iphone 3gs cannot be access,because they are hidden behind the album notice on the album screen of the phone
8. Sniggly posted on 16 Mar 2011, 10:47 3 0
Yeah, this was a fair review. I had to skim a lot of the details, but it seems you remained objective this time, Phonearena. Good job.
9. someoneeslse (unregistered) posted on 16 Mar 2011, 12:51 0 0
lol..so a low end device like samsung ace has as a negative point no flash
but this ipad 2 doesnt? if the camera is bad why not put bad quality camera? now shoots terrible photos? give me a break~
Xoom: - No Flash from the onset
IPad2: ...zZz..
why not mention the lack of SD cards or the lack of 4g? or even the bleed screen problem?
10. Nikkco (unregistered) posted on 16 Mar 2011, 14:11 2 1
The Ipad 2 is an incredible product and rivals any tablet out there now or yet to come. This is my first Apple product after trying the little green alien and there's no comparison. I realized that Android (whether tablet or phone) is just a sad wanna be follower (not a leader).
The cameras which you all are making a big deal about are insignificant because they are not meant to replace your digital camera. They are there for facetime and incidental pics. The screen although not rated as high as the pixels on the motorola xoom is just as nice if not better. You can't always go by specs. The HDMI is taken care of with an adapter - problem solved.
To all the nay sayers.... get a life and get your head out of your @$& because its clouding your judgement.
11. luis_lopez_351 posted on 16 Mar 2011, 16:52 0 0
ooo a sexi picture frame ;) me like...so what how big is the frame??? I'm planning to put a picture of a "Android rocks" in it.
12. 530gemini posted on 16 Mar 2011, 18:00 0 1
Don't fix what's not broken. There is nothing wrong with the iOS' interface. It's simple and very easy to understand. It's plug and play. It's the apps where developers can make use of different types of animations and interface gimmicks. Personally, I like iOS interface the way it is.
14. AppleGuy1212 (unregistered) posted on 16 Mar 2011, 20:12 2 0
I love how before iPad 2 came out phonearena was saying that it would be nice to have a back camera but it wouldn't have to be something for serious photographers, considering who wants to hold a 10 inch pound and a half tablet in the air. This obviously isn't supposed to replace your point-and-shoot digital cameras, it was just something people were asking for.
15. IOS5 (unregistered) posted on 17 Mar 2011, 03:20 0 1
Phone arena mentioned that there's other tab in the market offer more higher resolution screen than iPad 2 right but did they offer quality graphic like iPad 2 offer?! Don't think so and forget about the camera it's not that important for a tab cuz I'm not gonna shoot video or taking a photo with 9" ir 10" even if it has 12 m pixel camera every day loll.
16. blueFox posted on 17 Mar 2011, 04:02 1 0
Hmm. While they try to look impartial, I'm not 100% convinced... Like another user pointed out, the delay in implementing Flash support is a problem with Xoom yet the complete lack of it is okay with iPad?
18. Crucial (unregistered) posted on 20 Mar 2011, 00:30 0 1
Allow me to answer your question sir. The lack of flash in iPad will only be obvious while surfing flash intense website. If you use the tablet to surf sites like CNN, you can still watch the embedded videos since they are in HTML 5 format.
Also, Adobe just launched an application where it allows web developers to convert their flash into HTML5 format. So in the near future, we can probably see more HTML5 compatible websites that can be independent of flash for website animation.
I won't deny having flash is a good thing. However, seeing how it drains the tablet battery life and also cause slight jerkiness in the browsing experience, it is not all that glittering.
19. Amir (unregistered) posted on 20 Mar 2011, 18:07 0 0
Nowruz mobarak !
Happy Nowruz !
best wishes in new year Dear phonearena
20. yann posted on 22 Mar 2011, 08:17 2 2
What is the purpose of this device? Size like a laptop and power of a mobile phone?
I've both. Why do i need such stupid device?
21. Lee (unregistered) posted on 23 Mar 2011, 03:45 1 0
This device sits in between a cell phone and laptop. Obviously if you have both a laptop and cell phone then this device doesn't serve much of a purpose. But in my case I recently gave my old laptop away and when I looked at a replacement I realized my only needs were web browsing, music and movies. The iPad does all that extremely well while being more portable and having better battery life than any laptop I've ever owned.
22. James J (unregistered) posted on 26 Mar 2011, 23:44 0 0
Granted it was quite expensive, I am very impressed with the iPad 2. The video quality is the biggest difference from the first one. I downloaded the Remote Access app from my employer, DISH Network, to remotely stream live HD TV. The picture is absolutely amazing!
23. dane64 (unregistered) posted on 29 Mar 2011, 17:07 1 0
I bought the Ipad2 and returned it the next day. It was buggy and not very user friendly. One speaker? What is up with that, Apple. I love my Mac, but there tablets suck. I am waiting for the new Samsung Tablet that looks like it rocks.
Georgia you are still the hottest blogger in my book!! Keep up the good work.
Your friend in Maine
