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Apple iPad 2: First Hands-On and Photos

Florence Legrand
Translator: Catherine Barraclough
March 3, 2011 8:48 AM
 
As with every Apple event, we had to elbow our way through a crowd of eager journalists at the end of the press conference to get a look the demonstration models of the iPad 2. Anyway, we fought our way to the front and managed to have a go with the iPad 2 and even take some pictures of the Apple tablet and its unchanged 9.7-inch IPS screen in action. Here are our first impressions.

Apple iPad 2 white
In white
 


In black
 
Comparing versions one and two of the iPad side by side instantly confirms Steve Jobs' promise of a super-slim design. In fact, the second version is not only slimmer but also lighter (601 g compared with 680 g for the original iPad), making it even more comfortable to use. This new lightweight design makes Apple's tablet easier to handle and we can already imagine that it'll be less tiring to hold when supported in your hands alone.

iPad one next to iPad two

iPad 1 vs iPad 2
iPad 2 vs iPad

Slim but curvy iPad2
Slim but curvy, with rounded edges

White iPad2 in action

The Apple

iPad 2 camera
 
This second version of the iPad has two cameras: one on the front (FaceTime, Photo Booth) and one on the back. As yet, there's no word on how many Megapixels each camera has but we do know that the main camera (on the back) films in 720p HD resolution.

White iPad2
 
With the 1 Ghz A5 dual-core processor, the iPad 2 has twice the power of its predecessor and promises improved performance all round, but especially in graphics. From our hands-on, it's difficult to say whether the new model felt more responsive overall, and we'd have to launch several applications at once to put that to the test more effectively. However, from what we've seen, the iPad 2 is certainly fast, as it didn't slow down or glitch once during our brief trial.

iPad2 with DigitalVersus
Dimensions: 241 x 185 x 8.8 mm
 
The Apple iPad 2 has a clever new cover for protecting the screen that also doubles up as a little stand to prop the tablet up on. This cover clips onto the tablet quickly and easy using magnets. Once attached, we held the tablet up by the cover and waved it around a bit, and the iPad2 stayed stuck fast to the cover (phew!). The cover is an optional extra that'll set you back $39 but it's an original and practical addition to the tablet.

ipad 2 magnetic case

ipad 2 case and stand


Apple ipad 2 event london
 
So will this new version of the iPad have what it takes to fend off the mass of competitors' tablets due for launch in 2011? Hmmmm ... we'll get back to you on that one in the next instalment of '2011: year of the iPad 2.'

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Apple iPad 2: First Hands-On and Photos

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