Apple has introduced the latest iteration of its
popular iPad tablet, but this year the company has opted to drop the numbering
from the device. So, yes, the third generation iPad is now simply known as the
iPad, but the iPad 2 will also still be available, but at a lower
price. Naming confusion aside, what are the differences between the
two? Well, there are quite a few
Higher Screen Resolution
Some time ago Apple introduced a new type of display
technology called the Retina Display. The idea was that the screen was so
densely packed with pixels that it actually presented an image at a higher
resolution that the human eye can perceive. This has been lacking from
the iPad up until now.
The new screen on the iPad has doubled the resolution
from 1024 x 768 to 2058 x 1536. When held at an optimal
distance of 15-inches from your eye, this results in an image that is actually of a higher resolution that the HD television set in your family room.
distance of 15-inches from your eye, this results in an image that is actually of a higher resolution that the HD television set in your family room.
5-Megaxiel Rear Camera
The rear camera on the iPad 2 left a lot to be
desired, and while using a tablet as a camera can seem strange, it’s still
handy to have available. The new 5-megapixel sensor will give you the
same quality as the iPhone 4S and will also allow you to shoot in 1080p HD
video. However, Apple did not choose to upgrade the front camera beyond the VGA
camera in the iPad 2, so if you’re looking to do teleconferencing it’s still
not the most ideal solution.
4G LTE
LTE (Long Term Evolution) cellular technology is
currently the fastest thing out there when it comes to mobile Internet
connections. This is something that has been lacking from the iPhone, so
it’s a bit surprising to see it turn up on Apple’s tablet first, but it’s
welcome.
The iPad now supports roaming on 3G as well, and you
can use your tablet as a hotspot for other devices, carrier permitting.
While it’s tempting to go for this option, be warned
that the plans are not cheap, ranging anywhere from $15 to $80 a month.
Quad-Core Graphics
Many of the rumors leading up to the Apple event
suggested that the new iPad would have a quad-core processor, meaning that it could
handle many more tasks. Apple opted to stick with a dual-core processor
like the iPad 2, but did increase the graphics processing to a quad-core
solution. This makes some sense as the iPad 2 was already quite fast, but
with the new screen, it needed more graphics power to manage higher resolution
apps and games.
Which Should You Buy?
If you have an iPad 2 already, there are a lot of
compelling reasons to upgrade, but it totally depends on what your budget
is. If you have yet to buy an iPad, the new lower price for the iPad 2 at
$399 is awfully tempting, but for a $100 more you can get the latest and
greatest. Either way, you will be purchasing a solid device.
