Here are my impressions on the iPad 2, from getting one to setting it up and starting to use it. I plan to add to this post periodically over the next few days, so check back!
Getting It:
I started out at the local Best Buy and Target, both in the same shopping center and presumably less of a target (pun intended) than the local Apple Store. And I was right – only 10 people on line at Best Buy at 3:00 pm. I soon found out why, however.. No 64 gig, and no 3G. Target hadn’t even received their shipment of five whole units. That’s right, five. The electronics manager estimated on Saturday that he could have sold over 100 based on inquiries he received.
So, I called the local AT&T store – they were “not slated to receive any”. Apparently only a select few stores were. They mentioned that another local AT&T store had gotten four iPads. The local WalMart had only 16 and 32 gig Wifi units. You can see where this is heading, can’t you? While Apple made a big deal about iPads being available at all of these retail outlets, in reality, my local stores (and, from what I have heard, the same was true all over) got either no stock or such limited quantities of total items or selection that it was rendered pretty pointless.
With a long sigh, I resigned myself to a long line at the Apple Store. I *hate* waiting in lines. Seriously.
So, off to the International Plaza in Tampa, where there were THREE lines going – the first was inside the mall along a hallway next to the Apple Store. The second stretched outside and was perhaps a few hundred people deep. The third line – my line – was alongside the opposite row of stores, and again, a few hundred deep. Chick-Fil-A (hired by Apple) passed out iced tea, and the Apple Store staff passed out water and came by periodically to announce which units were sold out. A few even brought around iPad 2’s so that we could get an early glimpse.
Total time from joining line at the Apple Store to walking out with iPad 2: 3 hours. Apparently Apple has learned a bit from past launches. This time, you got a ticket while waiting in line that guaranteed you the product of your choice, and enabled the staff to let everyone in line know exactly which models were sold out. Kudos, Apple!
IMPRESSIONS:
March 11:
- While the weight difference on paper isn’t significant, the psychological difference is real. iPad 2 feels much lighter than it is, if that makes sense, especially when compared to iPad 1. It’s something you have to actually hold it to appreciate.
- Everything is much faster on iPad 2. Apps load quicker, read data much quicker, and everything feels that much more responsive. Case in point – Friendly, the Facebook application. iPad 2 has the app loaded and the data refreshed before iPad 1 loads the app. I’ll try to post some times for comparison later.
The Smart Cover is actually a lot better than I thought it would be. I’m not sure how I will protect the back from scratches yet, but I am happy that the screen is covered. The magnet that holds the cover on is STRONG. You can lift the iPad with it. No, I’m not joking, and no, I’m not planning to carry it that way.
- AT&T now offers the option to put data plans on your AT&T bill (post-paid) instead of paying with a credit card (pre-paid). I expected this to be an option in the Cellular Data account screen in Settings, but it’s not. Nothing has changed with it, you can only sign up with a credit card on the iPad. For post-paid, you have to call AT&T customer service and have them activate it, which is a much more painful process than it needs to be. Initially, the representative told me that I would have to get a separate account for the iPad. When I protested, she checked, and discovered that separate accounts apply for all other data devices, but NOT the iPad. It took over 40 minutes to get the process completed, and if I want to cancel, I have to call AT&T (so they say, I plan to see if you can cancel on the web site – which I suspect you will be able to). All in all, even though overages are charged less for post-paid, you’ll want to seriously think hard about going that route.
- I agree with most of the reviewers – the cameras are really pretty poor, especially compared to the iPhone 4. While they will work in a pinch, you’re not going to be creating fine art with them. A test picture I shot in the Apple Store under decent lighting was very grainy.
- I read in more than one place that the iPad was “thinner than an iPhone 4” – yeah, by like a millimeter. Maybe 2 millimeters thinner than an iPad 1.
March 12:
- Stopped in an AT&T store today. They strongly advise activating iPad 2 data plans through the store instead of calling customer service. After a long chat with them, I agree.
- There does not (yet) appear to be a way to cancel the post-paid plan from the AT&T website.
- If you want to see how much faster the iPad 2 is, run Infinity Blade side-by-side and compare load times. Amazing. iPad 2 is at least 30 seconds faster.
March 13:
- Jenga for iPad is awesome with the gyroscope. Definitely worth the 99 cents to get a glimpse into the future of portable computing.
- For those who have noted difficulty inserting the sync cable into the iPad 2: Seems like its got the same issue as the iPod 4th Gen, and the same solution (at least, the same solution is working for me, anyway). Line up the connector at a slight upward angle, start to push it in, and as you do, angle upwards until it slides in. You should be almost parallel to the iPad at that time. If this is really unclear, let me know and I will post up a video.
- Pre-Ordered a back skin from Best Skins Ever, on sale for $12.74 + shipping! I’ll review it when it arrives, which will hopefully be this week.
March 14
- It seems like the Smart Cover tends to pick up fuzzies on the inside and deposit them on the screen when it’s closed.
- Spoke to some folks at the local Apple Store yesterday. They sold out of the iPad 2 mid-day Saturday – an estimated 1000 of them. They are expecting stock again on Tuesday.
- According to this article (and this one from our own Alex Jordan), 70% of iPad 2 sales were to first-time iPad buyers. Based on the number of iPads I saw in the line with me, I have to think that this figure needs to be taken with a grain of salt. There were also several iPad owners in line with me that (like me) did NOT bring theirs along for the wait.
Did you get an iPad 2? Did it replace an iPad 1? What are your observations? Let us know in the comments section.
Continue reading:
- Everything New Apple Just Announced (Septembe
- Apple Watch Pre-Order
- Apple Research Kit launches with 5 Apps
- Apple TV now only $69
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