iPad vs iPad 2 back-to-back: what's new, plus all the specs compared

And so, in one of the most anticipated product launches of the year - and one which probably leaves last week's not insignificant Sandy Bridge debut on the Mac well in the shade - Apple has finally taken the veil off the iPad 2. It'll be out in Australia as soon as March 25, so what are the new features in the new iPad 2, and overall how does it compare to the original iPad? Here's our run-down of everything you need to know from a specifications point of view.


The most significant differentiator between the iPad and its successor is the iPad 2's new processor, the 1GHz dual-core A5 CPU, which succeeds the A4 found in the original iPad. Apple claims the dual-core A5 is up to twice as fast as the single-core A4, with graphics performance said to be up to nine times faster. This should make a real difference in the overall speed and responsiveness of the device, particularly when it comes to games, but also in relation to some of the more heavy-duty media-editing apps which Apple also announced today (namely iMovie for iPad and GarageBand for iPad).


Both the A4 and A5 are low-power chips, and as a result battery life hasn't changed. The iPad 2 still features a 25-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, which Apple claims will deliver 10 hours of battery life when only using Wi-Fi (which drops to nine hours when 3G connectivity is utilised in the 3G version). On this account, while Apple isn't delivering better battery performance from an hour-on-hour perspective, the significance of the accomplishment here is that Apple has managed to deliver equal battery performance from a significantly smaller device.



Measurements-wise, the iPad 2 is thinner and lighter than its predecessor, although the display size itself is unchanged at 9.7 inches diagonally (and it still offers a 1,024 x 768 resolution). The iPad 2 is 33 per cent thinner than the iPad, measuring 8.8mm thick compared to the original's 13.4mm, and it's up to 15 per cent lighter than the original, weighing 601g for the Wi-Fi only version (or 613g for the 3G) compared to the iPad's respective 680g and 730g footprints.



The other physical dimensions are understandably not as reduced (given that the display's size is unchanged): the iPad 2 measures 241.2 by 185.7mm, compared to the iPad's 242.8 by 189.7mm. The structural barrier around the rim of the original iPad's framing has been removed, which results in the iPad 2's thinner, unibody housing. The iPad 2 is available in either black or white, whereas the original was black only, and the same storage capacities have been preserved, with the iPad 2 for sale in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models.



Perhaps the most obvious new addition feature-wise in the inclusion of two new cameras for photos, video recording and webcam chat (or, in Apple's lexicon, 'FaceTime'). The back-facing HD camera records video in 720p at up to 30fps and also functions as a still camera, although Apple sneakily hasn't disclosed its megapixel count. The front-facing camera captures VGA-quality video and stills. Video out support has also been upgraded, from up to 576p on the original iPad to up to 1080p on the iPad 2 (with the relevant adapters, sold separately).



The Wi-Fi capabilities of the Wi-Fi only iPad 2 are unchanged from the original iPad's spec, although the iPad 2 3G model now incorporates support for UMTS / HSDPA / HSUPA (850, 900, 1,900, 2,100MHz) and GSM (850, 900, 1,800, 1,900MHz). The iPad 2 features the same accelerometer and ambient light sensor as the iPad, but also includes a new three-axis gyroscope, which should add a new level of sensitivity and control (especially in games).



To address screen scratch issues which plagued the original iPad, Apple is releasing a new iPad 2 accessory dubbed Smart Cover, a lightweight, segmented display cover available in a range of colours, which magnetically clings and self-aligns to the iPad 2's body. The iPad 2 automatically wakes and sleeps when the Smart Cover is removed and attached, and additionally can convert into a mini stand for the tablet. It's a neat feat of design and a likely must-buy for iPad 2 purchasers, although third party makers of iPad accessories will understandably be less thrilled by the new peripheral.



All in all, Apple is offering a significantly revamped tablet in the iPad 2. Going off the specs and new features, it's faster, lighter and can do more, and it's definitely the iPad to be considering (although some last-minute deals on the original iPad are certainly tempting).



Having said that, despite Apple's effervescent spin doctoring, the iPad 2 certainly doesn't seem to deliver the same "magical" (their term) wow factor that the original iPad had in droves. Back then, it was the only killer tablet on the block, but now, with so many feature-packed competitor devices already in the market or on their way very soon, the iPad 2 is no longer the only option out there for shoppers. There's no doubt that Apple has a strong offering in the iPad 2 and a healthy lead on the rest of the pack, but will 2011 really be the year of the iPad 2 as Steve Jobs claims, or has Apple's original 2010 game changer gone and changed the game on Apple?