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Ellen Teague is in the market for
a tablet
I've been saving for an iPad for a while. Version 3 is out now. What's the difference with version 2? Should I take advantage of the price break for version 2 or keep saving a little longer for version 3?
Ellen is Consideringposted 15 months ago
2 Answers
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Ralph Ainsley: The biggest difference is the screen. The new iPad has a much higher-resolution screen, which means sharper text and better-looking images and video. If you move your face close to your computer screen and look carefully, you will see the little square pixels that make up the image. Apple's so-called "retina displays" pack more pixels into each inch than your eye can actually detect. So the image is really seamless and convincing. No matter how close you squint, you can't see pixels. Text is perfectly crisp and pictures look great. The iPhone 4 has such a screen and it's really impressive to see the difference with previous iPhones. A better screen is very important. I always tell people that the best way to upgrade their computer is to get a larger, higher-resolution monitor. The screen is the thing you spend all your time looking at. It's not some memory chip or microprocessor that's buried deep inside the device which you will never really experience first hand. The difference between a "retina" display and the iPad 2's display is not just visible, it's obvious and dramatic. The new iPad will be the best-looking computer display you've ever seen, by a mile.In addition, the new iPad has a faster processor, a better camera, and is capable of 4G cellular connectivity. That means that if you are willing to pay for an AT&T or Verizon monthly plan, you can get blazing fast network service on the go. Of course, you can go without that and just use WiFi where available. The new iPad also has almost twice as large a battery as the iPad 2. This doesn't translate to twice as much battery time, however. The new screen requires more power. But you should expect a good 8-10 hours of usable life. The larger battery did add slightly to the thickness and weight of the iPad. However, it's really a tiny difference and you won't notice it unless you've been holding an iPad 2 for hours per day. I would of course suggest getting the version 3 model if you can possibly afford it. The upgrades to the screen and processor will keep this tablet cutting-edge for some time into the future. It's up to you whether you want to get an AT&T / Verizon contract. But if you plan to, having access to 4G is a game-changing speed upgrade. On the other hand if you are struggling to afford an iPad at all, then the new discount on the iPad 2 is quite attractive. You can now get a brand new iPad 2 for as little as $399. The new v3 iPads start at $499. That's a 20% difference. In the end I think it does come down to money. If you are really on a tight budget, then you can get an iPad 2 at an incredibly good price now (not to mention looking on eBay for used models that people want to sell so they can buy a v3).If price is not a major consideration, and you can afford a wireless plan, the new iPad does offer compelling upgrades. Good luck with your decision, Ellen! Be sure to let us know which way you go!15 months ago -
Dan Gardener: Personally I don't think the differences are that dramatic. You get exactly the same battery life from the iPad 2 and "The New iPad" (terrible product naming, Apple!).They are almost exactly the same size and weight, and the design is virtually identical. Sure the retina display is impressive but the iPad 2 has 1024x768, which for a 10-inch screen is just fine: better pixel density than most laptops.The New iPad has a couple more megapixels in the REAR camera, but who really holds up a tablet to take photos? They should have upgraded the FRONT facing camera. It's still the same lowly VGA on both The New iPad and the iPad 2.Software: no difference. They both run virtually the same iOS. The New iPad doesn't even get Siri, the voice-activated assistant that's been part of the iPhone 4S for months. Not sure how that happened... reminds me of the original iPad launch - delayed so long that by the time it came out the iPhone was far ahead in specs.I'm not really sold on the iPad in general, but I think the best thing about the new one is that it chopped $100 off the price tag for the old one. $400 is finally starting to get cheap enough for someone like me to consider purchasing one as a novelty.It sounds to me like budget is a major consideration for you, Ellen. I'd say go with the iPad 2. Either take advantage of this price drop from Apple or take even MORE advantage of the firesales that are all over eBay about now (as Ralph suggests).Chances are you will want an accessory or two: the photo import adapter, or a keyboard, or a case. That will cost you more. Better to save up front and go with last year's model, IMHO.Dan suggests15 months ago -
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