Apple iPad 1 and 2 Overview

Basic need to know information about the iPad 1 and 2:

Power:

• 10 hour battery life
• 140 hours audio playback
• 1 month standby
• Dual core graphics 9x faster on iPad 2

Ipad 2:

• Back camera: 720p video, 960x720 stills camera, 30 frames per second when filming
• Front camera: VGA quality, still camera

Physical Structure:

Ipad 2:

• Has a wide 178° viewing angle
• 33% thinner than the original iPad
• Rear and front facing cameras.
• 9.7 in (25 cm) screen

Applications:

• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR Wi-fi (802.11 a/b/g/n)

GSM model includes:

• CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 Mhz)
• GSM/EDGE (850,900,1800,1900 Mhz)

Display: iPad 2

• Fingerprint resistant (oleophobic coating)
• Advanced backside illumination sensor, lets you capture low light.
• Flip, landscape or portrait.
• Can choose between black or white

Is it worth the upgrade?

Apple released the first generation iPad on 03 April 2010 and within 80 days sold 3 million iPads world-wide.

But what makes this interesting concept so popular? The iPad was engineered so people can browse the internet when they please, like a laptop, download apps, view videos and have fun. It measures 189.7 x 242.8 x 13.4mm, weighs 680g and has a LED backlit display surrounded by a glossy bezel. The bezel prevents the touch screen from being inadvertently activated when handled. The iPad 2 however, is roughly the same height and width, but slightly thinner, 33% to be exact.



The first generation has a lithium-ion polymer battery allowing ten hours of usage. Its memory consists of a 256 megabyte DDR ram built into a Apple A4 (a processor chip). Furthermore, it also includes some environmental sensors such as; accelerometer, ambient light sensor and magnetometer. The iPad 2 has all these and a gyroscope. The environmental sensors figure out the environment and adjusts the iPad 2's settings to fit the locations.

The iPad, although unable to take photos, is actually quite useful, the applications make it more versatile as you can download apps which can cater to your everyday needs. As well as being great to play with. The iPad has basically the same functions as an iPad 2 but the second edition has been given motion control so games are much more realistic.

Unfortunately, no matter how fun this invention may sound it has its flaws. For example: you can't multi-task (you can only look at one application at a time), it doesn't have a camera, unlike the iPad 2, which is essential for every photographer. It also doesn't support flash, which limits usage on the web, especially on video streaming websites, as it can't be supported.

The iPad 2 has been created with 2 cameras back and front, so it's better than the original model for photography. Even though there is no camera on the first generation, there is still a lot of apps available, for viewing, editing and rating other people's photographs. We wouldn't recommend that you replace your laptop or computer with an iPad, as it hasn't got a USB port. You can buy an adapter but this is costly and because of this, you can't upload any photos onto your iPad and this puts a major spanner in the works! Its functions are very different from a computer or laptop and has no memory card slot. Both the iPad 1 and 2 are great ideas, but how much benefit you get from it depends on how you plan to use it.



Overall, the iPad 2 does have the advantage of speed, lightness and is smooth to the touch, so more comfortable to hold during use. The camera is also an obvious plus and the gaming graphics have said to be much more vivid and detailed. Apart from this, the iPad 2 is basically the same as the original. But photography wise, the iPad 2 would, of course, be more appropriate with the addition of the cameras. The rear camera is better than the front camera however, the camera does not have any form of light or flash, so good lighting is important. If you're looking for a speedier experience with a less 'labouring' weight then the iPad 2 is for you.

Other ways to use the iPad1/2 Featured on ePHOTOzine:

Use the iPad 2 as a second monitor -  click here.	Is the iPad 2 the ultimate photographers tool? Click here.	Use Adobe Photoshop Express - plus many more useful tools.

Apple Apple iPad 1 Specifications

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Apple Apple iPad 2 Specifications

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