Scratch

iPad 2 Review

Apple.com

The iPad was the major tablet that sent everybody rushing to imitate. The iPad was many things, but the iPad 2 took it to another level. Thinner. A taper on the edges. Better specs all around.

The iPad fits perfectly into what I call the Apple Paradox. According to the paradox, Apple Devices are made so beautifully that to protect them, you must put it in a case that destroys the beauty. My particular case at least doubles the thickness, and one person at my school has an outrageously thick case. As thick as a textbook.

Nonetheless, it is still one of the thinnest tablets on the market. It is something magical to be writing this review on a device that weighs less than two pounds, is just a few millimeters thick, and has no wires coming out of it besides the ones for my earbuds.

As for ports, it would be nice to have a USB port, but really, the capabilities of the iPad really aren't tuned toward productivity. As for cameras, neither one is particularly good. With the new iPad, the back facing camera has been upgraded to 5mp, while the front camera (located across the screen from the home button) remains unchanged. I rarely use the front camera, but the rear camera needed some work. Apple did a great job with the minimalistic design for the iPad. The home button remains flush with the front of the tablet, with the 30-pin connector right next to it. On the side you'll find a volume rocker button, and a slide that can be used for either muting (it mutes only system sounds, not music) or locking the rotation. On top is the headphone jack and the power button.

The screen is no retina display, that's for sure. Still  while the new iPad upgraded to the retina display, I'll believe the hype when I see it for myself. Unless you specifically are trying to make out individual pixels they are all but invisible. The only place I see significant pixelization is on the battery indicator and top bar.

iOS 5 is amazing. An easy swipe of four fingers takes you to the app that is running "next to it." Unfortunately some apps like Pages or Safari take a second to become responsive when they are switched to. Still, I would like the ability to go split screen (like Windows 7) or live tiles like Windows 8. Another feature I would like to see is the ability to have multiple processes of the same app running. If I am trying to write a paper based on the outline I wrote in another Pages document, I need to close out of the document I am in, find the other file, wait a few seconds for it to load, find the info, close out of that document, then wait for the original document to load. Sure, it's a difference of a few seconds. But the point is, in a standard operating system you can have two windows of Word open to different documents at the same time. It is still annoying and should be easier than it is.

The screen is a mirror. Trust me. It's as though Apple and Gorrilla Glass are in a conspiracy to stop people from texting while walking, it's that bad. Even inside with overhead lighting it is hard to see the screen.

While most programs work well, it is shocking how many apps claim to work on iPad when they truly fail. Given that all devices are standard (with the exception of storage space) if an app works on one iPad to should work on another.

If you are in the market for a tablet, look no further. The iPad (2nd and 3rd generation) are the greatest and most refined tablets there are. If you are in doubt, try going with a laptop-you can get relatively good ones for about the same price.

RedRocker227 wrote:

Well I'm not really posting a review, but... "Are you wanting a device that you want a scratcher's review?"; does that mean you can request reviews?

I suppose you can, although IDK if anyone would have the device.