A year ago, Apple released the original iPad, a product that essentially spawned the entire tablet market. Since then, a lengthy list of competitors – think Dell Streak, Motorola Xoom and Blackberry PlayBook – have cropped up.
Such competitors have tried to leapfrog the tablet that started it all by adding features upon features, then highlighting those additions. The iPad lacked an HDMI output, they said, was short on pure horsepower, was missing a camera and didn't have Flash.?
The list went on and on, but now Apple is back with the iPad 2, a second-generation product that seems to specifically address many of those disses. The result is another high-class offering from Apple, even if it isn't nearly as groundbreaking as last year's offering. Let's take a closer look at the iPad 2.
THE FORM
At first glance, the iPad 2 looks a lot like a regular iPad. Its 1,024x768 LED display is completely identical to the original's screen, and every button and hookup – from the standard 30-pin USB-to-iPad connector on the bottom to the volume rocker on the right side to the 3.5 mm headphone jack on the top – is placed right where it was on the first iPad. The display looks as good as it did before, although it's disappointing that Apple didn't upgrade to the Retina display being used in the iPhone 4.
There are subtle differences, though, mostly related to size. Somehow, Apple has removed some of this iPad's girth; it's just 0.34 inches thick – thinner than even the iPhone 4. The bezel has also been trimmed ever so slightly, resulting in a slightly shorter product. On the back you'll get that familiar cold steel iPad feel, although this time it feels slightly smoother and flatter, allowing the iPad 2 to sit comfortably on any surface. There are two cameras – one in front, situated almost invisibly on the top center, and one on the top right-hand side on the back.
Despite all these additions, there is still no microSD or SD card slot, so you're limited to whatever storage you have on your model. And it would surprise you how quickly you can chew up 64 GBs.
The entire package clocks in at a scant 1.35 pounds for the AT&T 3G model (the heaviest one of them all), but it still feels sturdy. If there is a shortcoming to the new arrangement it is that the 30-pin connector no longer slides fully into the back of the iPad; its bottom is somewhat exposed even when fully inserted.
The overall feel of this new iPad is one of sleekness. This is a beautiful gadget to carry around.
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