After an almost endless stream of rumours, the iPad 2 was finally presented to the public last night. One of those rumours was that the iPad 2 would merely be an in-between model. Unfortunately, that rumour turned out to be true.
With a design upgrade, a faster processor and two cameras, the iPad 2 is basically nothing more than the iPad 1.5.
What is the added value?
The iPad 2 is thinner and lighter, so easier to carry. As if your old iPad was so difficult to lift. You can now FaceTime with friends and family, but who around you actually uses FaceTime? And in the months I have had the iPad 1, I have never experienced it being slow.
While we are still waiting for the white iPhone 4, the iPad 2 will be available in white right from launch. Is that what you are doing it for? Personally, I think the white iPad looks like something you could buy at the local toy shop.
The new iPad does not offer me a new experience, so at first I do not need it. And that is the annoying thing about Apple. No matter how much you think it sucks, you still want that stuff. Everyone wants it.
The prices of the iPad 2 remain the same as the prices the iPad 1 had at launch. But now that the original iPad has become a lot cheaper - EUR379 for 16GB Wi-Fi - is it really worth buying a more expensive iPad for the features above?