Apple’s new iPad 2 is here and sold out almost immediately in US. Apple makes a few iPad 2 available everyday at retail stores and the wait time for online orders has improved to 2 – 3 weeks. In addition to US, Apple has launched Apple iPad 2 on time to 25 other countries today. No doubt it is a huge hit.
Detailed reviews on Apple iPad 2 are out and generally the reviews were really positive except for a few complaints. Most reviews of iPad 2 kind of compare the new iPad 2 with the first generation iPad.
However, for the customers who are buying iPad 2 for the first time, it does not really make sense to say the new iPad 2 is X% thinner/lighter/faster than the previous version. So, here are the first impressions/review of an iPad 2 from the perspective of first time owner. This first time owner has never used an iPad before, but always wanted to have one.
Awesome iPad 2 Feels Lighter, but it is heavier
One word to describe the new iPad 2 as one holds it for the first time. Awesome. The iPad 2, the post-PC device, looks awesome. The hardware design look perfect and the responses to your touches are quick. As you hold it for the first time, it does feel lighter and comfortable. This kind of makes sense as we are all used to heavier stuff before.
However, the feeling of iPad feeling lighter on your hands is only temporary. Yes, the longer you iPad just using one of your hands to explore the iPad 2, it starts to feel heavier. After a point, you don’t really want to hold it in your hand without support, even without any additional case or cover. Basically, iPad 2 can not be used like a eBook reader on your hand.
iPad 2 Smart Cover; Cool Product, But Not Smart Enough to Protect the Whole iPad
iPad 2 Smart cover looks really cool. Like iPad is magical, iPad 2 smart cover is magnetic. Smart cover comes in multiple colors. The smart cover can automatically align and cover the the iPad 2 screen. Just as you remove the cover, iPad 2 is automatically switched on and as cover the iPad 2, it goes to sleep automatically. It does work well as a stand in portrait mode, not in the other mode.
All these sound really good, but you still have the nagging feeling that it does not protect the iPad like a case does. Wait a minute, as the name tells you clearly, iPad 2 Smart Cover is just to cover your iPad 2 screen not to protect your iPad 2. Still a cover leaves the back open to scratches, if you buy a product for over $500, you would like to protect the whole product not just the front side. If you are a dropper like me, you definitely need to consider padding up iPad 2 to protect it.
iPad 2 Camera: Video looks great and the photo is pathetic
iPad 2 features a front and rear facing camera for Facetime/video chat, and taking 720p HD video. One can also take pictures. However, the camera for taking pictures is just VGA quality. Remember the good old days of pathetic cell phone cameras? That is back in iPad 2 to reminisce. So the camera for taking pictures is useless. However, iPad 2 is good at taking videos. Video chat using iPad 2 is just OK. If you are used to video chatting using MacBook or MacBook Pro. You will immediately notice the loss of quality in iPad 2, but it does the job.
Bottomline: Should you buy iPad 2? Yes, go ahead and place your order online now.
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