The iPad 2: Will You Upgrade?

Author: Brittany Chan

On Wednesday, March 2, Steve Jobs announced the new iPad 2. Rumors had been flying for the past few months over the new features. Here are some of the highlights:

- Front and rear-facing cameras. As expected, you can now chat with your friends using FaceTime, shoot 720p HD video, and take and edit pictures.
- Dual-core A5 processor. A faster iPad means smoother multi-tasking, movie playback, and gaming.
- Slimmer design. The new iPad is 33% thinner and weighs only 1.3 pounds, down from the original iPad’s 1.5.
- iOS 4.3. The new operating system features iTunes home sharing, improvements to AirPlay, and the ability to use your iPad as a “personal hotspot.”
- Smart covers. These covers, designed in a lighter but similar fashion to the original Apple iPad case, will protect your screen and fold over to become a stand for your device. Closing the cover will put your iPad in sleep mode, and opening it will awaken your iPad. Smart covers will also come in several colors.
- Same 10-hour battery life.

The iPad 2 will be available on March 11 in both black and white. The storage options will stay the same: 16 gb, 32 gb, and 64 gb, with the 16 gb Wi-Fi model starting at $499. As always, Apple has designed a sleek, beautiful product, and the improvements are welcome. At the same price points as the original iPad, this will be a great product for first-time iPad purchasers. But as an owner of the first device, I’m just not convinced that the changes are worth making the switch. All of the upgrades were fairly predictable, and none very impressive. I’m saving my money—maybe for the iPad 3 next year when the changes are more substantial.

What do you think of the iPad 2?

About the author:

Brittany Chan is a second-year medical student at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. She is also a candidate for an MBA in Health Organization Management from the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University. Originally from the Houston area, she graduated summa cum laude with degrees in psychology and general studies from Texas Tech University in 2009. In addition to blogging, Brittany enjoys reading, crafts, and spending time with family and friends.