What a cheaper iPad 2 means for Education

Closing the Application Gap

The iPad 2 with its thinner, lighter profile and the same battery life (if not longer) compared to the new iPad is a plus. Under the hood, the iPad 2 spots a dual core A5 processor and a fast graphics processor including a host of other features and connectivity options. Undoubtedly the iPad 2 is already a powerful tablet and runs faster than some of the existing netbooks or laptops in school and is gradually closing the gap between what one can do on the laptop and a tablet.

Editing Music and Video Quickly and Easily

During the launch of iPad 2, some may remember, we also saw the announcement of two popular Apple applications which have been re-designed from ground up for the iPad to take advantage of the new processing power and speed, the iMovie and Garage Band.

These applications allow users to capture and edit HD quality video and turn their iPad into a full-feature recording studio with a collection of musical instruments available on screen, to create and mix your own music all without turning on your desktop, where traditionally, these applications would only run on ‘fat’ clients, desktop and laptops. See what we meant by closing the gap?

What would schools be missing out if they go with iPad 2 instead of the new iPad?

iPad 2 and the New iPad Comparison

In our books, not much. No doubt the new iPad boast a new dual core processor with quad core graphics handling capability, higher resolution screen and better back camera, it’s not something schools can’t live without. The iPad 2 still has the same battery life, fast dual core class processor, same screen size, front and back facing cameras, thinner and lighter profile and not to mention cheaper.

PROCESSOR: The new iPad has a dual core A5X processor while the iPad 2 has dual core A5X chip. The difference here is the new iPad scores a quad core graphics processor while the iPad 2 has a dual core graphics processor.

DISPLAY: The new iPad has higher resolution display at 2048 by 1536 pixel resolution at 264 pixel per inch (ppi) compared to 1024 by 268 pixel at 132 ppi. With that many more dots to draw, you can see why it needed a quad core graphics processor.

CAMERA: The new iPad has higher resolution back camera at 5 megapixels while the iPad 2 spots a 0.92 megapixel back camera. The camera on the iPad 2 already supports HD video capture at 720p at 30 frames per second. Both iPads have the same VGA quality front facing camera.

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT (comparing WiFi models only): The new iPad is thicker at 241.2mm(H) x 185.7mm(W) x 9.4mm(D) and heavier at 652 grams. While the iPad 2 is 241.2mm(H) x 185.7mm(W) x 8.8mm(D) at 601 grams.

For other feature comparisons that may not directly be relevant to the context of iPad for schools, see apples official comparison page here.

 Final Thoughts: Benefits of iPad 2 for Education >

Quick Jump

• Page 1: Cheaper iPad is Great for Education
• Page 2: Let’s Look At the Details
• Page 3: Fast Forward to Today
• Page 4: Closing the Application Gap [You Are Here]
• Final Thoughts: Benefits of iPad 2 for Education