The Apple iPad 2 is the second generation tablet made thinner, lighter, faster, and now with cameras. One nice feature is the new Smart Cover that makes it easier to protect the iPad, and also functions as an integrated desk stand when folded away.
iPad Specs:
- 9.7-inch 1024x768 LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
- 1GHz dual-core Apple A5 system-on-a-chip processor
- Storage: 16 / 32 / 64 GB
- Back camera: Video recording, HD (720p) up to 30 frames per second with audio; still camera with 5x digital zoom
- Front camera: Video recording, VGA up to 30 frames per second with audio; VGA-quality still camera
- Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology
- UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz) [Wi-Fi + 3G only]
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- 30-pin dock connector port
- 3.5-mm stereo headphone minijack
- Microphone
- Sensors: Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor
- Digital compass
- Assisted GPS [Wi-Fi + 3G only]
- Dimensions: 241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8 mm
- Weight: 601 g [Wi-Fi] / 613 g [Wi-Fi + 3G]
'Apple has built the iPad 2 by making everything that was good about the first iPad, better. If it wasn’t for the poor optics quality, I would say that this is a perfect product upgrade. Anyhow, in the current tablet context, it’s fair to say that iPad 2 is an “excellent” product. As long as you understand what it can -and cannot- do, you should be happy to own one.' [ubergizmo iPad 2 review]
'It's slick, thin, and fast. It's also the most complete tablet available thanks to the more than 60,000 available apps.' [tabletpcreview iPad 2 review]
'Of course you should buy this. Unless you want a machine mostly to do things that require a lot of typing or creating things like Excel charts or Photoshopping. (Then you don't want a tablet at all.) Or unless you hate Apple. But everybody else who thinks they want a very personal computer? Yes.' [gizomodo iPad 2 review]
'It might frustrate the competition to hear this, but it needs to be said: the iPad 2 isn't just the best tablet on the market, it feels like the only tablet on the market. As much as we'd like to say that something like the Xoom has threatened Apple's presence in this space, it's difficult (if not impossible) to do that. Is the iPad 2 a perfect product? Absolutely not. The cameras are severely lacking, the screen -- while extremely high quality -- is touting last year's spec, and its operating system still has significant annoyances, like the aggravating pop-up notifications.' [engadget iPad 2 review]
'Apple has put together a superbly capable, class-shaping tablet, which can now legitimately take on not only other slates but lighter ereaders such as Amazon’s Kindle. The iPad 2 benefits from Apple’s cohesive hardware and software development together with the vast third-party developer support of the App Store, consistent and simple to use in equal measure. Apple’s vision of the post-PC world isn’t quite here yet – the iPad 2 still works best with, and at times demands, integration with a “proper” computer – but when it comes to tablets the iPad 2 maintains its position at the vanguard of the market.' [slashgear iPad 2 review]
So, if you are in the market for a tablet, the iPad 2 is a great choice. I believe Gizmodo was head-on with the conclusion.
