iPad 2: Review of second-generation tablet

 To say that Apple iPad 2 tablets is an easy to review - this is obviously not to say anything. Wildly successful last year's unit, which is still the market leader. The new generation is almost identical to the first, but when it comes to software andhardware, everything looks different.

9.7-inch screen with a maximum resolution of 1024x768 pixels, the overall size and shape remained the same, and while inside there is a new dual-core processor A5,more memory, and a pair of new cameras, the whole device is only cosmetic changes.

The new model is thinner, sleeker and faster than the original model - which of course raises Apple's head and shoulders above its competitors.

Should I upgrade to owners of the first generation of their devices, or whether Appleto lure into its ranks those who feared a year ago to take a decisive step in the direction of the Tablet PC?

Should I upgrade to owners of the first generation of their devices, or whether Apple to lure into its ranks those who feared a year ago to take a decisive step in the direction of the Tablet PC?

Features

If you own the original model, you know that the design engineers did their best. The first thing that probably strikes the eye is the thickness of the body - it's incredibly thin. At its thickest point of the tablet is 8.6 mm, it is half the original model. The device is slightly shorter than the previous model (9.5-inch), but wider and a little less (only 7.3-inches vs. 7.47). Looks and feels amazingly smooth device when you hold it in your hands. As noted by CEO Steve Jobs, at the opening event, the device is thinner than the surprisingly slim iPhone 4.

Like the previous version, the device only on the front screen, with the exception of the panel (which was slightly less wide than that which was the first model of the device), and the button "home" or "home" as you like, at the bottom of the screen .

In the iPad 2 camera looks like a small point that the general background is hardly noticeable at all. Behind there is the familiar features, sleek aluminum, as well as the previous model. Volume keys and mute settled on the back left side of the device and on the right you will find a slot for Micro-SIM to work on 3G (3G-only model). Standard Dock - 30-pin connector at the bottom, in the upper right corner of the power button / sleep mode, and 3.5 mm connector for headphones minijack on the left.

Device is available with white or black frames - we see a white model.

Of course, the photos are not quite convey what actually is a IPad 2 - he felt very great in your hands. Not only is the new dezayn and a slim profile combined with tapered edges make operating the device in a real joy. Apple is known for its industrial design, and it is not just beautiful "landscape", iPad 2 is designed very beautifully and thoughtfully.

Inside / Audio

Much work has been done. First, Apple has replaced the chip A4, which was equipped with the first generation of tablets in the past year, a new dual-core processor with a clock frequency of 1 GHz, this is called a "young one", it is not difficult to guess - A5. It is also now have 512 MB of RAM, it would probably be nice to have a 1 GB, but we have not had any problems with lack of memory.

The screen is identical to the previous original model, the device is equipped with a 9.7-inch IPS display with a maximum resolution of 1024x768 pixels. It still looks good, although we would really like to see a jump in the screen resolution. For example, we would like to see to see a higher pixel density, especially for reading books.

With regard to communication, the device is equipped with a wireless module iFi (802.11a/b/g/n), there is also a Verizon 3G-version devaysa, or iPad for the operator AT & T / GSM. Also on board the module Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and AGPS for a 3G-version. All models are equipped with a light sensor, accelerometer, and innovation - the three axes of the gyroscope.

Apple decided to move one speaker iPad on the rear panel. The sound seems increasingly clear that for the difference with the first model, here the move is hard to say, it may be a little quieter than the first generation of the week. The speaker is doing its job 100%, and if you want to listen to music or watch a movie with a decent sound, you just have to take good headphones.

Performance

Geekbench The results (higher is better)

Apple iPad 2 721

Apple iPad 442

Apple iPhone 4 375

As already mentioned, iPad 2 is equipped with dual-core chip clocked at A5 of 1 GHz. On benchmark Geekbench processor running at 800 MHz. When we first worked with the device, it seemed, it was evident that the device works faster, and even after a week with the device, it still responds faster than the previous model.

CPU and the graphics component of this tablet really impressed us - iPad 2 handles all excellent, regardless of the fact that we are "thrown" at him, whether it be games or graphically hung with an application - even thought that the applications have a higher frame rate, and even with heavy use of processor applications, such as GarageBand, the device rarely (and then, it seemed) struggles with the process to its best treatment.

Word for it, we certainly should not, because the benchmark Geekbench shows and makes it clear, at least increase the processor iPad 2.

Battery

Not surprisingly, Apple promises longer battery life than we've seen in previous versions. In our testing, it was 100 percent true.

During the first few days, we used the device without even bringing him to the charge. Even during intensive use, 3G and Wi-Fi to surf the net, testing applications, including heavy work in GarageBand, reading email, viewing photos and videos, listening to music - we do not connect the iPad 2 in the slot for charging about five days. When we still did it, then plugging it in, the battery percentage was only around 30%.

Battery LIFE

_______________

Apple iPad 2 10:26

Apple iPad 9:33

Motorola Xoom 8:20

Dell Streak 7 3:26

Archos 101 7:20

Samsung Galaxy Tab 6:09

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In our standard test video (MPEG4-open the video, running Wi-Fi and the screen at about 65 percent brightness), iPad 2 managed to hold out for a surprisingly long time, as much as 10 hours and 26 minutes without stopping playback. It beats the scope of the company Apple and record the closest competitor tablet Xoom, about two hours - and that excuse one more film in the road ...

To say that we are impressed? This is not to say anything. iPad 2 will fulfill the task when it comes to battery life.

Cameras

Camera in the iPad two probably identical to those that are in the iPod Touch, that is, are the usual solutions, say that Apple has a good camera equipped with a new tablet - does it mean to lie. Not how it is noteworthy standard camera. Face Time for video calls and they just will be more useful of all.

We are not going to lie - we are very disappointed that Apple has equipped the iPad 2 low-quality cameras. We did not expect to be able to arrange a photo shoot using a tablet ... in general, the iPad 2 has a serious deficit of photons in our opinion.

Software

There will be a new product for iOS update itself without iOS - so the iPad 2 even comes with iOS version 4.3. 4.3 is a minor update that add some useful features in the new devices from Apple. It is noteworthy that the company improved browser performance, added enhanced support for Airplay, the ability to set the switch to sound an additional function, and the creation of hospotov Wi-Fi to GSM devices (not on the iPad 2).

   Along iPad updates, Apple also introduced two fairly weighty software update - GarageBand and iMovie.

Browser

Apple increased the speed of the new version through the browser iOS Safar, who is working on a new engine Nitro JavaScript processing in nesklko times faster.

In our testing, we gained a sufficiently large number 2173.1 ms (while Google V8 came back with a score of 338). Very interesting comparison - with the iPhone 4 and the original model IPad running iOS 4.2.

Of course, Motorola Xoom shows better results compared with iPad 2, indicating that the dominance of the rate Apple is a competitor.

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SunSpider results |  (lower is better)

____________________________

Apple iPad 2       (iOS 4.3) 2173.1ms

Apple iPad         (iOS 4.2.1) 8207.0ms

Apple iPad         (iOS 4.3) 3484.7ms

Apple iPhone 4   (iOS 4.2.1) 10291.4ms

Apple iPhone 4  (IOS 4,3) 4052.2ms

Motorola            Xoom 2141.8ms

Motorola            Atrix 4G 4100.6ms

The browser has become noticeably quicker and more responsive than the previous model iPAD. However, iPad 2 gets a rate much closer to the speed of which can be seen on a netbook, the company is making every effort that would achieve that result.

Of course, while still standing reproach Apple in the absence of Flash. While many sites have started to use the HTML5 video and interactive elements. We have seen good performance of Flash on jailbroken devices, but the option where you could enable or disable Flash in my opinion is more acceptable than a complete lack of support for such a popular solution these days.

FaceTime / Photo Booth

As you might expect, FaceTime on the iPad does not differ much from this in the iPhone or OS X computers. Although the layout is still different, you get basically the same results. As a phone, you can not use the service outside the Wi-Fi, but given that you are dealing with the tablet ...

The results were amazing, but again, these cameras do not give a good picture.

Photo Booth, on the other hand, has gone from SideShow in OS X to a full application for the iPad 2. A5 processor unit with its stock performance enough to head for all these effects are damn good.

GarageBand

We had a pretty great skepticism about the application, but this attitude changed pretty quickly. $ 4.99 for a piece of software, which offers eight tracks with software tools, as well as the ability to mix any levels of each other, add effects, and even apply power to your tracks.

The software also has a library of loops, and the ability to create their own samples for later use in the instrumentals.

We were immediately impressed by what he saw ... When first you open the application, it does not look like such software on the desktop - this appearance is likely similar to other games than spetsprilozhenie at this level. Create and track record songs before there could be as easy as with this application.

Besides the standard selection piano, keyboards and drums, Apple also introduced a brilliant set of tools called Smart Instruments, with which you can do extraordinary chords with different instruments.

Overall, this is an innovative piece of software for the tablet. All of this happened not without problems, there were a couple of moments when the iPad had to reload. It is clear that there are errors, and that in spite of efficient processor A5 and increased the amount of memory that comes to music - that such applications are quite heavy elements in the coding.

Nevertheless, we were completely fascinated by the application GarageBand, and unable to suppress this feeling. The essence and meaning of this software will clear the start to each user.

iMovie

iMovie for iPad seemed less impressive than GarageBand, but the utility provides the ability to edit video on the move - and she does it for a small amount - just the same $ 4.99.

iMovie now lets you edit videos that you have removed the device or imported from your bibilioteki. As in other versions of the software, you will receive a set of templates and their associated effects, which can apply to their own video files.

Edit is surprisingly simple. Despite the limitations the application, you can safely get behind the editing of the family archives, the program can make a good competent job ...

Редактировать на удивлением просто. Не смотря на ограничения приложения, можно смело садиться за редактирование семейного архива, с помощью программы можно сделать хорошую компетентную работу...

You can then export and download content to a variety of sources, including YouTube, Vimeo, iReport CNN, and Facebook. And yes, you can do it in HD. According to our tests, this process works flawlessly.

By the way I might add that with iMovie, we had the same problems as in the case of GarageBand - there were moments where it was necessary to resort to the device is reset. Of course it's not tragic, true long-term outcome of the application was lost, but we believe that Apple is already aware of these problems, and soon we will see the update frees us from such a sad time of the fall software. Meanwhile, for the price justifies the application itself completely.

Airplay / HDMI-adapter / Smart Cover

Airplay has now been extended to work with multiple applications, this means that developers can connect to the API, to get video on your television is connected by proximity Apple TV.

If you really think about the video output to TV, the new HDMI-adapter from Apple for $ 39 lets you connect the device to the TV. The adapter works flawlessly - so play HD video with iPad 2 on your TV via an adapter can be easily.

Another accessory - Smart Cover, this is a brilliant solution based on the protective film with a lot of smart magnets. Smart Cover very good job with its main task - protecting the screen. With accessories you can get iPad stand in different positions. Accessory is lined microfiber, which supposedly helps to keep your screen clean from dirt and dust.

During our tests, we got a nasty scratch on the back of the case. We love innovation and Smart Cover looks like this accessory, but if you are seriously concerned about the safety of your iPad (and not only its display), then just try to encourage and protect other options apart from Smart Cover.

Conclusion

Well, it's time to draw the line, and hear the "verdict". So, iPad 2 - is not only the best Tablet PC on the market, he felt the only tablets on the market.

How many would like to say something akin to "Xoom threatening presence of Apple in this segment" - is difficult, even impossible.

Is iPad 2 a perfect product? - Absolutely not! Cameras - quality does not quite live up to the necessary plates, which are severely lacking, at the same time, the screen just extremely high quality. The operating platform still has its flaws stretching back to last year ...

Priced at $ 499, and a variety of options such as "disk" space, and models that work in both the service provider networks (Verizon and AT & T 3G), you can argue long about the price, and in terms of usability, applications, and scratches on the surface of the body.

   For owners of previous generation of the original, we do not think that Apple has started a fire you for what you have upgraded their devices. If you need a camera on the tablet, if you need those innovations that are in the operating system and new applications. For those of you who have not yet made the leap, do not hesitate to take a deep breath and dive into the world with a new iPad 2. The device is really good, and very much so.