The iPad and iPad 2

Many people are kicking themselves for buying the iPad before the iPad 2 came out, but is there really that much difference? The following is a look at some of the differences between the two:

• Big performance gains- According to the designers at Apple the iPad 2 offers performance gains with faster download speeds, and more available uses. Of course, when a new version is released this is the most expected change. Many of the kinks have been worked out, and some of the things users did not love about the iPad have been addressed in the iPad 2. Of course, there is still plenty of room for improvement, and there will be another version coming out in late 2011 or early 2012.
• Thinner package- One thing most everyone is noticing is that it comes in a thinner package. It is lighter. In fact, it is not just a little lighter, but a full 15% lighter than the iPad. How did Apple do this? The original two batteries were replaced with three lighter, thinner batteries that allows for the removal of some of the internal plastic. In addition, the metal was removed from the iPad. It had a stamped metal sheet in it that was part of the display. Due to the glass technology that has improved this metal is removed, making it thinner and lighter.
• Physical differences- They have the same dimensions and resolutions. However, the iPad 2 has a flat back instead of the rounded one that the iPad had. Too many people were complaining about the rounded back that make it difficult to lay on a flat surface. The iPad 2 has ports, buttons, and speakers on the slightly sloped in sides of the back metal casing, which makes them nearly impossible to see when you look straight at the device. It is the streamlined version, and some people worry that Apple cut back on the heavier duty, and quality in the second version of the iPad to cut costs and save money.
• Camera- One of the biggest differences between the iPad and iPad 2 is the extra camera. On the original iPad there is only one camera, and the iPad 2 has two, one on the front and one on the back. It is situated in the top left-hand corner of the back casing. The iPad 2's rear-facing camera can record 720p video at 30 frames per second, but only takes still images of 720x960 pixels-usually only 0.69 megapixels. In other words, there is another camera, but it is very low quality, and will not really work to take the place of your existing digital camera, but will work to take a self-portrait for the ever-present social media profile picture.

The iPad 2 is still more about using applications, not creating things, just like its predecessor. It is extremely useful to many, and a great piece of technology.