IPad 2: A Comparison Between Apple

iPad 2 is here. After months of rumors, guesses and gossip in tech circles, the second generation Apple super-tablet is due for launch on March 11, 2011. This article will introduce you to this model's most impressive improvements and compare it to the original tablet.

Thinner and Lighter: Every tech blog on the net figured the new Apple tablet would come in lighter and thinner than the original, but very few thought it would be by this much. The new tablet is supposed to be thirty-three percent slimmer than the original, and fifteen percent lighter too.

iPad 2 is even thinner than the iPhone 4 at 0.34 inches (8.8 mm) deep - a staggeringly slim device. In terms of weight, the Wi-Fi model has been reduced from the previous 1.5 pounds to 1.33 pounds and all other models have become noticeably trimmer as well.

Two Cameras: After size, the most immediately notable change between first and second generation is that the new device now features two cameras. Both cameras are impressive and designed for FaceTime video calling. The one on the front faces you, and is a VGA camera capable of up to 30 frames per second video recording and VGA-quality (640 x 480) stills capture. The back camera records 720p HD video at 30 frames per second and in camera mode it has a 5x digital zoom.

iPad 2nd Generation is Faster, More Powerful: The new device contains the new energy-efficient dual-core A5 chip that is purportedly twice as fast as the original's single-core A4 processor, which results in seriously enhanced performance, multitasking and application-switching on the new device.

The new tablet has graphics capabilities up to nine times faster than its predecessor, which makes it an even better platform for gaming, media viewing and especially video applications. You can edit the HD video you shoot with the back camera right on the device in iMovie. Your animations in presentations will look better than ever too.

FaceTime is video calling over Wi-Fi between two Apple devices, and you can easily switch between front- and back cameras mid-call. PhotoBooth - which many Mac-users will recognize - is a pre-loaded app that allows you to take pictures of yourself.

The new Smart Cover, designed alongside the Apple iPad 2, is a marvelous innovation by itself, and is well worth checking out. It protects your screen without adding bulk, allows you to instantly wake your device by opening the cover, folds into versatile stands and comes in ten colors.

• (ArticlesBase SC #4483622)