iPad 2 Hands on Impressions

I decided to check out the iPad 2 at Best Buy over my lunch break while I was there to try the 3DS. The device felt fantastic in my hands compared to the original, it is noticeably lighter and the way the back is curved gives the user a much better grip than the original iPad, which can at times be awkward to hold with one hand. Holding the iPad 2 with one hand for long periods of time won’t be a problem, this has more to do with the curved back than the fact that it is a bit lighter.

In terms of speed, I didn’t really feel a difference. Photo Booth was impressive but not to the level that many reviews have claimed. Seeing all the effects on screen was awesome, but that isn’t a practical use of the iPad’s power. The basic and most common iPad tasks, web browsing; email; photo; and watching video, didn’t feel any different from the original. I’m sure complex applications like GarageBand will require the extra speed and RAM but that isn’t a reason to jump on the iPad 2 if you already own an iPad. The screen also looks exactly the same, so there isn’t any immediate difference when looking at the device the way the iPhone 4 blows people away when they first look at it.

The one drawback of the design is the button placement and inputs are a but odd. The 30-pin connector’s metal part is somewhat visible when it is inserted because of the curve of the iPad 2. Also, the button placement of the Sleep/Wake button has to conform to that curve as well, which threw me off after being used to the button sitting flat onto of the iPhone 4 and the original iPad.

So while the device feels better to hold and the Camera’s are cool, I don’t see a reason to upgrade from the original iPad. In a few months when more apps come out that take advantage of the A5 processor than maybe I’ll regret saying that… but by that time it’ll only be a few months till iPad 3. If you don’t have an iPad and want one than this is the time to get one. Yes, they’ll get better from here but I don’t see Apple making bigger improvements in the next version than they have in iPad 2.