Apple iPad vs Apple iPad 2

With the announcement of the iPad 2 on March 2, 2011, many are wondering what the differences are between the original iPad and the new iPad. We'll run them down and give you an idea of whether it is worth it to upgrade to the latest version of the iPad tablet.

iPad Camera

One of the biggest changes between the original iPad and the iPad 2 is that the iPad 2 has front and rear facing cameras. This is a big deal for people that do a lot of video conferencing, but also for photographers, and bloggers that want to have a single device that can do it all. The rear-facing camera will also do 720p video. For those that never missed the camera on their old iPad, this may not be an issue.

iPad Size Difference

The iPad 2 is 33% thinnner than the original iPad but the screen size hasn't changed. The iPad 2 is also noticeably lighter, losing a few ounces of weight, without losing precious battery longevity.

iPad Processor Difference

The iPad 2 has a 1.8GHz A5 dual-core processor, compared to the original iPad's 1.0GHz A4 single-core processor. This means that the iPad 2 will be more responsive (though the original iPad was plenty responsive). The real benefit with the new processor is that the iPad 2 will be able to run more complex apps (applications) that need more processing power. A faster iPad processor on the iPad 2 means that it is more 'future-proof'.

GPS Differences with the iPad 2

The iPad 2 has added Assisted GPS (aGPS) to the mix, which makes the GPS on the iPad 2 far more accurate, responsive and reliable. The iPad 2 locks in your position more quickly and shows a more accurate GPS position. This is important to those using the iPad as a monster-sized GPS in the car or on the go.

So is it worth it to upgrade to the iPad 2?

For those that already have an original iPad, the upgrade to the iPad 2 may not be as clear cut as it would seem. While the camera is a significant addition for photo and video junkies, the rest of the upgrades are pretty minor evolutionary steps. And given the rumors of a quicker-than-expected release of the iPad 3 (some say later this year), it may be wise to hold off, particularly if the rumors about the higher-res screen on the iPad 3 turn out to be true.

For those that don't own an iPad and are considering whether to buy a used original  (or refurbished) iPad or get the newer iPad 2, the choice seems to be more clear. The price difference is small enough that it is probably better to spend the additional cash for the iPad 2.

Our opinion is that iPad (either version) is far more impressive to someone that doesn't already own an iPhone or iPod touch than to someone that does. When boiled down, the iPad 2 is basically a very large iPod touch. So if you don't need that large screen, but are just eager to check out those apps that Apple is so famous for, an iPod touch or an upgrade to an iPhone might also be an alternative.

Technical specifications