Hardware > Desktop Computers and laptops

Apple iPad2 – the best tablet currently available?

By The Final Step

I’ve now been using the original since April 2010, and still use it every day (I definitely can’t say the same for a lot of the technology I come across). So, I was keen to see whether the 2 is a worthy upgrade, and how to advise clients.

Apple’s marketing machine is working as well as ever: given that no one at The Final Step has enough time to spend hours queuing, the only model we could buy on Saturday morning was the black, 16GB WiFi-only model at the Apple Store in Westfield Shopping Centre. It was predictably busy, and I got in and out as quickly as possible!

This review is not going to be about technical specifications – if you are interested in those, have a look here. It’s going to be my personal initial impressions, and some general advice as to whether you should buy one.

Design

Whether you are an Apple fan or not, you have to admire Apple’s design. Jonathan “Jony” Ive – a British designer, born in Chingford – is credited as the principal designer for much of Apple’s current product range, including the iPad.

The design extends to the packaging as well – no other manufacturer has managed to raise the experience of opening their products to the same level as Apple. A small point, but it shows how important design, and the consumer experience is to Apple.

The original iPad was stunning, both to look at and to use. Although the changes are subtle, the iPad 2 is a marked improvement and has increased its usability. Day-to-day usability – and this is the point of a tablet – has been further enhanced by Apple’s Smart Cover (more later).

The iPad 2 is 33% thinner (now even thinner than an iPhone 4), 15% lighter and easier to hold thanks to the tapered edges. It feels like an overgrown latest generation iPod Touch. Put simply, it’s more comfortable to hold for extended periods. The original iPad now feels bulky in my hands.

Performance/Screen/Battery Life

When I first heard the rumour that the A5 dual-core processor may be used in the iPad 2, my initial concern was what effect it would have on battery life. A big increase in performance drains the battery.

The new processor is not only faster on paper than the older one, it actually feels it in real life use. One of the first “Apps” I tried was The Sunday Times. The app is more responsive and browsing the newspaper or watching video links is appreciably quicker.

Improved performance is apparent when browsing the web in Safari, starting and switching between apps. Graphics performance in general is better.

The screen on the iPad 2 is the same technology as the original iPad – same size, resolution and display type. They have, however, made it thinner, lighter and stronger. There was talk of improving the resolution and implementing the “retina display” (think iPhone 4 vs 3GS), but this will have to wait until the iPad 3. Of course everything can be improved, but the original iPad screen is more than “fit for purpose”, and I am not disappointed with it. Keeping it looking clean is the only chore!

My personal opinion is that battery life is one of the most important considerations when deciding which devices to buy. Whether it’s a phone, smartphone/BlackBerry, MP3 player, tablet or laptop, it is tedious to have to carry a multitude of chargers on a day-to-day basis. The original iPad was one of the best devices for battery life – and I’m pleased to report that the iPad 2 is even better.

The battery is actually 59% smaller in the iPad2, but a combination of improved energy density, power-handling circuitry and software has maintained battery life. Yes, I’ve read the statistics but I wanted to try it in real life: both old and new iPads were charged to 100% and the screen brightness set to 50%. I played Pixar’s Finding Nemo (my daughter Isabella’s current favourite) on both units until it shut down due to lack of power. The results? 9.2 hours on the original iPad, and 12.6 on the iPad 2. To make the results as comparable as possible, both iPads were the WiFi-only model, updated to the latest operating system software (iOS), and no apps running in the background. Not scientifically rigorous, I know, but good enough for me.

Camera(s) and FaceTime

The iPad 2 has not one, but two, cameras. The front-facing one is comparatively low resolution (VGA, 640 x 480). The rear-facing one is capable of HD (720p, 1280 x 720). Both cameras can take video or stills, but the aspect ratio is not “widescreen”. The rear camera has a 5x digital zoom.

In practice, it feels a little strange at first to be using the iPad as a camera!

The lack of a camera in the original iPad always felt like an omission to me. Not to take photographs, but to add video telephone capabilities via FaceTime or Skype. Over the next few years, as bandwidth improves and more devices get video capabilities, video conferencing will gain in popularity and may even become widespread.

I am somewhat disappointed with the cameras in the iPad 2 – the quality is not what I expected it to be. I am sure that I will use FaceTime / Skype, but more for private use than business. I am sure that I will use the stills / video capabilities, but only if I have forgotten my Canon iXus.

Apple’s Smart Cover

Apple’s case for the original iPad was good at protecting the product, but it added weight and bulk – detracting from the design – and it didn’t function that well as a stand. Apple’s latest effort – the Smart Cover – is excellent. Have a look at this video, which shows it in action. The cover protects the screen, enhances the design and doesn’t significantly add to the bulk. It turns the iPad on automatically when you open the cover, and puts it to sleep when you close it. Apple even claims that it helps to reduce the finger marks on the screen, although I haven’t had it long enough to verify this. It’s one accessory you should get with the iPad, from the outset.

So, should you buy one?

The answer to this question really depends on your circumstances…

I’ve been thinking about getting a tablet for some time, but I’m not sure that I will use it enough to justify the cost. My suggestion is: take the plunge. If you are really not sure, then go for the lowest spec – 16GB, WiFi only. Read the section below on how I use my iPad, and you will understand how versatile the device is.

In my opinion, without any doubt, the iPad 2 is the best tablet currently on the market. The Android tablets may dent Apple’s supremacy, especially the Samsung Galaxy Tab and Motorola Xoom. However, looking at the overall package – the form factor, the maturity of iOS, battery life and the vast number of apps available – the iPad 2 is still king.

I have the original iPad – should I upgrade?

The iPad 2 is considerably better than the original. But, it is not so far ahead that you should automatically upgrade. My suggestion is that you should wait until the iPad 3 – or some other competitor – to make a big enough difference to warrant an upgrade. Of course, if you can pass your existing iPad to someone else, then yes go for the iPad 2.

I only want one “portable” – should I get a laptop or an iPad?

If you need a business workhorse, i.e. you spend lots of time on complex spreadsheets, PowerPoint, etc, then a laptop is still your best option.

But this misses the point of a tablet; it’s not supposed to replace your laptop (with these specific requirements). Not everyone will get on with a tablet computer, but I think most people would quickly see why they have proved so popular.

A Day in the life of my iPad

One of the first jobs for the iPad is tuning into Radio 4, typically The Today programme. Have a look at TuneIn Radio – it’s very useful, particularly if you are travelling, as it will beat American television anytime!

Time permitting, I’ll look at The Times, or at least download it for the Tube journey. Again, it beats The Metro hands-down.

Obviously, a quick glance at email (both personal and work accounts are on the iPad).

London’s public transport being what it is, I will check the best route into work – see London Tube Deluxe and UK Train Times. I also glance at the weather (even if it doesn’t change my plans), using Weather+.

Both Apple’s iBooks and Amazon’s Kindle (on the iPad) are good eReaders. eBooks will never replace physical books, but it’s amazing that you can carry a library around with you (including a dictionary), and dip in whenever you like.

On the weekend, Isabella commandeers my iPad – it’s amazing that the user interface is so intuitive that a 2-year old can use it. Along with Finding Nemo, story books on the iPad are a big hit (see The Story Mouse, which has UK voices) as are programs like Uzu. The Sonos controller app is very good, and free to boot. (Sonos is a comparatively affordable multi-room music system.) Of course, BBC’s iPlayer deserves a mention.

On the occasions I do get to the gym, I’ll watch an episode of something whilst on the treadmill – much better than the screens at the gym. This also applies to any flights – load up the films that you want to see, use a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, and long-haul flying becomes almost bearable.

There are literally hundreds of productivity apps available – too numerous to mention here. To-do lists, word processors, spreadsheets, finance apps, PDF readers, etc – if you would like to discuss which ones I use, please give me a call.

I don’t really play games on the iPad, but the faster processor and better graphics (along with the new three-axis gyroscope) make the iPad 2 a good gaming platform.

I do use some of the utilities available – Google maps, Wikipanion, TripIt, London A-Z (for when I don’t have a live internet connection), TripAdvisor and TopTable.

What I think is amazing is that a single device can perform so many functions so well. A different reviewer will have different interests (and therefore apps) on their iPad, but it all adds up to a very versatile, user-friendly and useful experience.

Yes, it is expensive; but my guess is that if I were to add up the total cost and divide it by the number of hours that it has actually been used, the figure would compare extremely well with the rest of the technology in my life.

 This article is published as part of The Final Step’s Useful Guide Series