What you should know before buying the new iPad
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Muthu Ramadoss
Mar 15, 2012, 9:56:26 PM3/15/12
to Android EtoE Google Group, Android Rocks, android-chennai
With less than 24 hours before Apple's latest iPad hits the stores, it's D-day. Decision-day. Sure, some of you have already placed your orders online or made plans to call in sick for work or school and brave the queues, but for the rest who are still considering the new tablet, here's what you should know before opening up your wallet.
What's new and what's not
There is plenty of information out there about the new, "resolutionary", iPad, including our own coverage of the announcement and hands-on with the tablet. A good starting point is Apple's own Web site, which highlights the new features and specs of the device.
Checking out CNET's site on the new iPad. (Credit: Josh Lowensohn/CNET)
Compared with its predecessor, the iPad 2, the key upgrades on the new version include a higher-resolution 2,048 x 1,536-pixel screen, a new processor with enhanced graphics horsepower (twice that of the iPad 2), better camera (the 5-megapixel rear shooter is a vast improvement) and support for 4G/LTE.
The physical design of the new iPad, such as the unibody aluminum chassis, remains identical to the previous version, but the weight has been increased slightly by around 50g and it is also marginally thicker by 0.6mm.
There's something about 4G
Unfortunately, while the new iPad supports 4G, it only works with 4G networks in North America. It's not compatible with existing 4G networks in most other parts of the world and hence will default to 3G.
While this fact did dampen our initial enthusiasm for the tablet, you should know that not all 4G networks are equal, and more importantly, they are not necessarily faster than 3G connections, especially HSPA+ ones.
Availability
Only a handful of countries will be getting the new iPad tomorrow--Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore are the only places in Asia. It will be available in more countries by the end of the month, with Macau being the only Asian territory slated for the second wave.
You can preorder the iPad at Apple's online store. Delivery is free, but depending on where you live, you may have to wait between two and three weeks before you get the iPad. In Singapore, local telco SingTel will be selling the new iPad at its online store from 12.01am early Friday morning. The company is also offering free home delivery for these orders (as early as 3am). M1 is also having a midnight launch at its Paragon store.
If you haven't done so and wish to get the iPad on launch day, you can try getting it from a brick-and-mortar store. Judging from last year's experience with the iPad 2 launch in Singapore, major Apple resellers are likely to run out of units on the first day. A better option would be to drop by an electronics and appliance retailer such as Courts or Best Denki.
Pricing
The new iPad costs the same as before: US$499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model, US$599 for 32GB and US$699 for 64GB. Add another US$130 to the prices for the Wi-Fi and 4G versions. Depending on where you live and currency exchange rates, the price of the iPad may vary slightly. For instance, in Hong Kong, prices start from HK$3,888 (US$500) while it is S$658 (US$520) in Singapore.
Apple has also slashed the price of the older iPad 2 by US$100 for both Wi-Fi and 3G versions. However, the company is only selling the 16GB model; if you need more storage, you'll have to get the new iPad.
iPad prices at the Apple Singapore's online store.
As usual, these prices are only for the tablet and don't come with any data plans. Telcos typically offer a lower price for the iPad when you purchase it with a contract that includes a subscription for data. Check with your local telco for details.
In Singapore, M1 and SingTel have revealed identical iPad plans and prices: S$399 will get you a 16GB Wi-Fi and 4G model with a two-year contract (S$499 for 32GB and S$599 for 64GB). This comes with a monthly S$40 plan that gives 10GB local data. Meanwhile StarHub's plans offer the same amount of bundled data, but the subscription costs S$41.30 if you sign up before 31 May. It will cost S$43.90 after that.
Do you need a new case?
Upgraders from an iPad 2 may not need to get a new case. Although the new iPad is only 0.6mm thicker than the iPad 2, we think that the majority of cases will fit. Of course, we can't rule out those that are made to precise measurements--those likely won't work with the new version.
A journal-style case from Dodocase for the new iPad.
Our advice is that you try your existing case with the new iPad and if it doesn't fit, we have highlighted more than 30 iPad cases that are designed for the new tablet.
Should the new iPad be your first tablet?
For the first-timer, you should actually be looking at the new iPad and the iPad 2. Now that the older tablet has become more affordable, it has become the new iPad's biggest rival.
There may be newer Android and possibly even Windows 8 slates later this year, some of which could boast high-resolution screens like the iPad, but we don't believe that they will come close to matching the momentum of Apple's app base in the near future.
Those who want a smaller, 7-inch tablet can consider other models from Samsung and RIM. But there have been persistent rumors of a smaller 7.85-inch iPad Mini, which could be something worth waiting for.
Should you upgrade?
For an iPad 2 owner, the question is whether you need a 2,048 x 1,536-pixel display. In our opinion, the other upgrades aren't significant enough (we are discounting the new camera because taking pictures with the iPad is just plain silly).
Although reading text on that Retina Display will probably be a great experience, we believe it will take a while for new games and apps to take advantage of it. An example would be the new iPhoto app, which is making its debut on the tablet. With the ability to work with large images of up to 19MB, the new photo editing app may benefit from the higher-resolution display on the new iPad.
So if you already own an iPad 2, you won't be getting much from the new version. Of course, we may be underestimating the appeal of bragging rights. However, owners of the original iPad should definitely consider upgrading.
What's new and what's not
There is plenty of information out there about the new, "resolutionary", iPad, including our own coverage of the announcement and hands-on with the tablet. A good starting point is Apple's own Web site, which highlights the new features and specs of the device.
Checking out CNET's site on the new iPad. (Credit: Josh Lowensohn/CNET)
Compared with its predecessor, the iPad 2, the key upgrades on the new version include a higher-resolution 2,048 x 1,536-pixel screen, a new processor with enhanced graphics horsepower (twice that of the iPad 2), better camera (the 5-megapixel rear shooter is a vast improvement) and support for 4G/LTE.
The physical design of the new iPad, such as the unibody aluminum chassis, remains identical to the previous version, but the weight has been increased slightly by around 50g and it is also marginally thicker by 0.6mm.
There's something about 4G
Unfortunately, while the new iPad supports 4G, it only works with 4G networks in North America. It's not compatible with existing 4G networks in most other parts of the world and hence will default to 3G.
While this fact did dampen our initial enthusiasm for the tablet, you should know that not all 4G networks are equal, and more importantly, they are not necessarily faster than 3G connections, especially HSPA+ ones.
Availability
Only a handful of countries will be getting the new iPad tomorrow--Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore are the only places in Asia. It will be available in more countries by the end of the month, with Macau being the only Asian territory slated for the second wave.
You can preorder the iPad at Apple's online store. Delivery is free, but depending on where you live, you may have to wait between two and three weeks before you get the iPad. In Singapore, local telco SingTel will be selling the new iPad at its online store from 12.01am early Friday morning. The company is also offering free home delivery for these orders (as early as 3am). M1 is also having a midnight launch at its Paragon store.
If you haven't done so and wish to get the iPad on launch day, you can try getting it from a brick-and-mortar store. Judging from last year's experience with the iPad 2 launch in Singapore, major Apple resellers are likely to run out of units on the first day. A better option would be to drop by an electronics and appliance retailer such as Courts or Best Denki.
Pricing
The new iPad costs the same as before: US$499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model, US$599 for 32GB and US$699 for 64GB. Add another US$130 to the prices for the Wi-Fi and 4G versions. Depending on where you live and currency exchange rates, the price of the iPad may vary slightly. For instance, in Hong Kong, prices start from HK$3,888 (US$500) while it is S$658 (US$520) in Singapore.
Apple has also slashed the price of the older iPad 2 by US$100 for both Wi-Fi and 3G versions. However, the company is only selling the 16GB model; if you need more storage, you'll have to get the new iPad.
iPad prices at the Apple Singapore's online store.
As usual, these prices are only for the tablet and don't come with any data plans. Telcos typically offer a lower price for the iPad when you purchase it with a contract that includes a subscription for data. Check with your local telco for details.
In Singapore, M1 and SingTel have revealed identical iPad plans and prices: S$399 will get you a 16GB Wi-Fi and 4G model with a two-year contract (S$499 for 32GB and S$599 for 64GB). This comes with a monthly S$40 plan that gives 10GB local data. Meanwhile StarHub's plans offer the same amount of bundled data, but the subscription costs S$41.30 if you sign up before 31 May. It will cost S$43.90 after that.
Do you need a new case?
Upgraders from an iPad 2 may not need to get a new case. Although the new iPad is only 0.6mm thicker than the iPad 2, we think that the majority of cases will fit. Of course, we can't rule out those that are made to precise measurements--those likely won't work with the new version.
A journal-style case from Dodocase for the new iPad.
Our advice is that you try your existing case with the new iPad and if it doesn't fit, we have highlighted more than 30 iPad cases that are designed for the new tablet.
Should the new iPad be your first tablet?
For the first-timer, you should actually be looking at the new iPad and the iPad 2. Now that the older tablet has become more affordable, it has become the new iPad's biggest rival.
There may be newer Android and possibly even Windows 8 slates later this year, some of which could boast high-resolution screens like the iPad, but we don't believe that they will come close to matching the momentum of Apple's app base in the near future.
Those who want a smaller, 7-inch tablet can consider other models from Samsung and RIM. But there have been persistent rumors of a smaller 7.85-inch iPad Mini, which could be something worth waiting for.
Should you upgrade?
For an iPad 2 owner, the question is whether you need a 2,048 x 1,536-pixel display. In our opinion, the other upgrades aren't significant enough (we are discounting the new camera because taking pictures with the iPad is just plain silly).
Although reading text on that Retina Display will probably be a great experience, we believe it will take a while for new games and apps to take advantage of it. An example would be the new iPhoto app, which is making its debut on the tablet. With the ability to work with large images of up to 19MB, the new photo editing app may benefit from the higher-resolution display on the new iPad.
So if you already own an iPad 2, you won't be getting much from the new version. Of course, we may be underestimating the appeal of bragging rights. However, owners of the original iPad should definitely consider upgrading.
take care,
Muthu Ramadoss.
http://linkedin.com/in/tellibitz
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