Apple iPad2

When the Apple iPad entered the market, people were amazed at the technology this small device offered. No tablet could beat the technology, and most products were several steps behind Apple’s tablet. With Apple’s iPad 2, they made themselves even more difficult to beat. This device is two times faster than its predecessor, 33 percent thinner and offers additional multimedia features including a front-facing camera and FaceTime technology. The iPad 2 is our TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award winner because of its long battery life, fast processor, amazing graphics and endless number of features.

Features    

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FaceTime is one of the most advanced features available on this computing device. FaceTime is the video chat feature that lets you have face-to-face communication with anyone around the world with the same technology. There is a front VGA camera, along with a rear camera to capture you or any event during a video call. Using the rear camera, you can also record 720p HD video, which is rare in a tablet.

For such a thin device, the Apple iPad 2 provides up to 10 hours of battery life on a single battery charge. This tablet features the iOS 4 operating system. This OS allows you to multitask and open several programs at once. You also can choose from more than 65,000 applications to download from the Apple App store.

There are several applications pre-loaded and ready to go when you first pick up your iPad 2. Your basic email, internet browsers, photo capturing and editing features are a few applications instantly available. You can also watch movies or TV shows in HD, making it possible for you to enjoy all types of entertainment on the go, wherever you are.

Using the built-in eReader, you can sit and enjoy a book anywhere. Using the iBooks application, you can download hundreds of books, and with the lighter design, the iPad 2 is easy to hold for extended periods of time. The 768 x 1024 pixel resolution on the display screen makes the eReader ideal for reading magazines, newspapers or illustrated books. Or if you prefer to listen to music, this product features a built-in iPod for listening to music and gives you access to iTunes so you create the ultimate music collection.

There are several advanced features available on this device, including AirPlay. AirPlay lets you wirelessly connect your iPad 2 to an HDTV so you can view your desktop on a larger screen. This feature is ideal if you want to watch a movie stored on your iPad or if you want to share photos or recorded videos from your iPad on a larger TV. This feature is wireless with no additional cables or equipment required; you just need a TV with Wi-Fi capabilities. Or if you are a student or businessperson and need to give a presentation, using video mirroring and the Apple Digital AV Adapter you can plug your tablet into an HDTV or projector for viewing on large screens.

Hardware    

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There is a dual-core A5 chip in the Apple iPad 2. This chip makes the device two times faster than the original iPad and lets you enjoy a much faster computing experience. The faster chip is ideal for browsing the internet, sending emails and even downloading documents or applications. Along with the fast processing speed, the graphics are nine times faster than the previous model. The graphics are clear, detailed and make this tablet ideal for playing games or even just watching videos, TV shows or viewing images.

Another advantage of using the Apple iPad 2 is the available memory. There is a 16GB, 32GB or even a 64GB model available. The model you choose all depends on the amount of content and data you plan on storing. The iPad offering 16GB of memory will provide ample room for apps, music and movies, but if you don’t want to worry about storage, particularly if the iPad will be used for business purposes, the 64GB may be the ideal size for you.

There are built-in speakers and a built-in microphone available on this device. These two pieces of hardware not only make it possible to have video chats using FaceTime, you can also watch movies, TV shows or capture audio for your full HD video recordings. There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack for listening to audio. Unfortunately, there is not a USB 2.0 port, which we found to be the biggest drawback on this computing device. However, if you want a USB port to connect a printer to the device, this tablet features AirPrint, where you can send your documents to a printer wirelessly using a Wi-Fi connection. Not all printers will work with the AirPrint feature, and the printer must be AirPrint enabled to receive the Wi-Fi connection.

Display    

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The thin size of this Apple tablet is another standout feature. The Apple iPad 2 is only 0.34 inches thin, which is significantly smaller than several similar devices. It features a 9.7-inch display screen that is large and ideal for viewing movies or TV shows or even just browsing the internet. There are devices out there with larger display screens, but we think Apple seamlessly combines screen size and portability.

As we mentioned before, this touchscreen features 768 x 1024 pixel resolution, making images crisp and clear. We were surprised this tablet lacks the retina display found in Apple’s iPhones and hope their next generation of tablets won’t be without it. The screen does offer LED backlighting, which improves the clarity and brightness of the screen, regardless of the screen’s pixilation.

Ease of Use    

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One of the Apple iPad 2’s key features is the easy-to-use interface. The iOS 4 operating system provides a simple interface with icons that are responsive and quickly open. You can place all your applications on your homescreens and scroll through each page to find the desired program. Or you can use folders to organize your applications and avoid excessive amounts of clutter or programs scattered randomly on your screens.

For a tablet to be easy to use, the display screen must be responsive and have very little lag time. We saw no lag time in the Apple iPad, and it is responsive to our touch. The screen does offer multi-touch capabilities, meaning your fingers do it all without the help of a stylus. You can make images larger or smaller with the pinch-and-zoom function, and you navigate around the device using taps and swipes.

Summary

The Apple iPad 2 is an impressive device with a large selection of features available for entertainment and business purposes. The iOS 4 operating system and the A5 chip make this device fast and hard to beat. The display is stunning and there is no lag time with the virtual keypad or opening programs and applications. The thin size increases the portability of this device and makes it much easier and more comfortable to hold than several similar products. The Apple iPad 2 is an excellent tablet that will be almost impossible to beat.

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