The 'new' iPad

AsSiMiLaTeD

I grabbed one on the way into work this morning. I was gonna skip it thinking there'd be long lines, but as we drove by the store there was nobody waiting in line. I was able to get in, get the model I wanted and get out in less than 5 minutes.

Initial Impressions:
I was buying this one as an addition to the family, not a replacement. I'm not selling my iPad 2, that one is going to the wife and as remote control duty. On that note, I would honestly have a hard time recommending this as a replacement for the iPad 2 unless you need the LTE, better camera or the dictation thing.

Don't get me wrong, the screen on this thing is absolutely beautiful, but the screen on the iPad 2 is no slouch either. I'm sitting here looking at the two sitting next to each other and there's clearly a difference, but don't know if I would have upgraded just for that. I looked at the screen compared to the other tables they had out though and this screen is CLEARLY better than anything else out there.

The camera on a tablet seems silly to me so that was a non-factor and I bought the Wifi version so the LTE means nothing to me (other than the fact that Apple's finally figured out how to fit it into a mobile device and that bodes well for the iPhone 5). The dictation, even though not Siri (which I personally find myself NEVER using), is a nice feature, about time Apple finally added that. I tested and it works very well.

I feel like the screen is worth the $100 premium over the iPad 2 if you're buying one outright (as I did), just don't know if I'd recommend going through the trouble of selling mine and buying a new one only for the screen.

A couple other notes:
- The baterry, being much larger, takes basically twice as long to charge. That's a non-issue for me since I charge overnight, but may matter to some.
- It also gets warmer than the iPad 2, which didn't get warm at all. I've been working it out pretty good, and it's not getting hot or uncomfortable in the hand, but does get a bit warm.

That's my $.02

Sherardp

Excellent review bro, I'm going to pick one up while stateside.

Strong Bad

Just finished setting up my black 64gb wifi only model. I actually just used a backup of my iPad 2 and restored it with that. Made everything a snap!

The screen quality is flat out amazing on this thing! I keep a good sized portfolio of my photography on it and the photos look just damn amazing. The iPad 2 is outstanding in it's own right, but this new one takes it to a whole new level of image quality. I read on some photography sites that many photographers are loving the image quality since they like to have their portfolio on it instead of the old fashioned way...printouts in a binder.

Apple did good by keeping the iPad 2 around and dropping the price. It's still an excellent tablet.

I'll give the 1080p video recording a full test this weekend as well.

Big thumbs up on the new iPad!

mantis

Congrads on the new toy, iPads are wonderful.

bruss

Is the gps still horrible?

AsSiMiLaTeD

That depends. If youre talking about the gps on the wifi model then no it's not horrible because there is no gps. The wifi model relies on wifi data to provide your location, there is no gps chop in that model, never has been on any iPad.

If you're talking the 3G model or now the LTE, then gps in those has always been fine in every one I've come across, that's about a half dozen or so.

bruss

The gps n my ipad2 is laughable. Maybe its just the stock app. Im driving back from florida right now and its just too unreliable to use. My only gripe with the ipad2.

AsSiMiLaTeD

AT&T or Verizon?

bruss

Vzw. I think im just expecting too much from the maps app.

[Deleted User]

I picked up the new iPad today. The only thing I can say, and care for nothing else, the display is amazing!. Yes, yes,... that resolution has existed many a years ago on CRT monitors. That fact does not surprise me. What does, is it is under 10 inches with that resolution. I do not care for LTE, camera, or anything else. This is a gift item, but had to try it out first.

Halen

Upstatemax

I have been using a family members iPad 2 for a week to decide if I want an iPad. I love this thing! I'll be placing my iPad 3/hd order in the morning.

I have not touched my laptop in over a week...

The battery life on this thing is amazing! Full 10hrs of use with no problem.

mutelight

bruss wrote: »

The gps n my ipad2 is laughable. Maybe its just the stock app. Im driving back from florida right now and its just too unreliable to use. My only gripe with the ipad2.

I never had an issue on my iPad 1 or 2 and not on this latest one either.

All three would get a lock within about 10 seconds.

I use http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/motionx-gps-drive/id328095974?mt=8 on my iPads and it works perfectly.