Buying advice iPad 2 or new iPad?

[barkomatic]

Nope. Resolution isn't everything when it comes to displays, and in other respects the new retina display is poor quality. Apple has pushed into new technogy too quickly and had to compromise too much. There is always a compromise between backlight evenness and thickness of panel. Apple has always unfortunately chosen thin displays over even ones. It makes sense: most people don't care about display evenness. Most people don't even care about resolution, apple has had to convince them they should with the whole retina branding. But those of us who do care are not OCD. I've been to apple stores and went though many ipad3s. It is not some faulty displays, they are all sub standard.

Every review I've read from major, respected tech sites claim the opposite -- that the quality of the retina display is unmatched by other screens on the market. They note compromises, like slightly less brightness and the need for a larger battery to drive the display, but all state that the screen is the reason to get the new iPad.

I know this is your opinion and I have mine, but I think that an absence of these supposed widespread screen issues aren't real as they would be detected and covered in the press by now. That's not to say there aren't defective new iPad screens out there -- just that the majority are just fine.

 

[Eadfrith]

It is not some faulty displays, they are all sub standard.

Finally got to see the new iPad today, the screen looked stunning to me.

 

[riveting]

Buying ipad 2 only make sense if you find a very good deal used, buying brand new old stuff does not make sense, you get an inferior product and in the same time you lose more resale value if you decide to sell later.

Anyway, I was debating between ipad 3 and refurbished ipad 2, but I am glad I got ipad 3. If I got ipad 2, I would be telling me, why am I buying this, it is not any better than my HP touchpad running CM9. But the ipad 3 screen is amazing, I really think all the laptop should have a display of this quality.

 

[plucky duck]

Buying ipad 2 only make sense if you find a very good deal used, buying brand new old stuff does not make sense, you get an inferior product and in the same time you lose more resale value if you decide to sell later.

Anyway, I was debating between ipad 3 and refurbished ipad 2, but I am glad I got ipad 3. If I got ipad 2, I would be telling me, why am I buying this, it is not any better than my HP touchpad running CM9. But the ipad 3 screen is amazing, I really think all the laptop should have a display of this quality.

I agree, either get a used 2 and benefit from the already depreciated price of the 3 having came out, or simply get a new 3. That way you maximize resale and minimize your losses down the road.

 

[chuges]

having used both models a lot, the sharpness of the newest ipad display is unquestionably worth the extra $100

 

[LostSoul80]

Nope. Resolution isn't everything when it comes to displays, and in other respects the new retina display is poor quality. Apple has pushed into new technogy too quickly and had to compromise too much. There is always a compromise between backlight evenness and thickness of panel. Apple has always unfortunately chosen thin displays over even ones. It makes sense: most people don't care about display evenness. Most people don't even care about resolution, apple has had to convince them they should with the whole retina branding. But those of us who do care are not OCD. I've been to apple stores and went though many ipad3s. It is not some faulty displays, they are all sub standard.

I think you're confusing quite a lot of terms.
The vast majority of iPad screens have no relevant (read: noticeable) defects. That's clear to everyone. My iPad's screen is perfect, also, so how comes this?
That said, why in the world would the iPad's display be of poor quality? That's not something subjective, as in "I kinda like it", or "my friend is not nice". Thus, your statement – without relevant sources – only makes a personal opinion, which has no objective value. Just say "I don't like it", not that "its quality sucks".
Also, what does "sub standard" exactly mean? That there are better screens somewhere comparable to the iPad's nowadays?

 

[Consultant]

Nope. Resolution isn't everything when it comes to displays, and in other respects the new retina display is poor quality. Apple has pushed into new technogy too quickly and had to compromise too much. There is always a compromise between backlight evenness and thickness of panel. Apple has always unfortunately chosen thin displays over even ones. It makes sense: most people don't care about display evenness. Most people don't even care about resolution, apple has had to convince them they should with the whole retina branding. But those of us who do care are not OCD. I've been to apple stores and went though many ipad3s. It is not some faulty displays, they are all sub standard.

Not sure how you came upon that abnormal conclusion, but

display testing company: new iPad display is the highest quality
http://obamapacman.com/2012/03/ipad-3-display-99-srgb-standard-color-gamut-accuracy/

 

[redrum42]

I think you're confusing quite a lot of terms.
The vast majority of iPad screens have no relevant (read: noticeable) defects. That's clear to everyone. My iPad's screen is perfect, also, so how comes this?
That said, why in the world would the iPad's display be of poor quality? That's not something subjective, as in "I kinda like it", or "my friend is not nice". Thus, your statement – without relevant sources – only makes a personal opinion, which has no objective value. Just say "I don't like it", not that "its quality sucks".
Also, what does "sub standard" exactly mean? That there are better screens somewhere comparable to the iPad's nowadays?

I don't think I confused any terms. By sub standard I mean below average. In terms of both backlight evenness and color evenness the ipad3 displays are worse than the majority of LCD displays on consumer products that I have experienced, including the iPad 1 and 2 and cheap laptops. Of course I don't have any sources, don't be ridiculous, this is a forum not a scientific journal. I'm talking about what I see with my own eyes when I use the devices.

As for your display being perfect, it is not. No LCD panels have perfect uniformity. That is only possible with plasma or OLED technology that doesn't require a back light. If by perfect you mean uniform enough that you don't notice it, fine. I, however, do notice it in all LCD screens I use, and it is more of a problem with the ipad 3 retinal display than most

----------

Not sure how you came upon that abnormal conclusion, but

display testing company: new iPad display is the highest quality
http://obamapacman.com/2012/03/ipad-3-display-99-srgb-standard-color-gamut-accuracy/

They don't test for backlight or color uniformity.

 

[firemedicmark]

Buy the new ipad.

It's already hard enough to keep up with technology when purchasing electronics. So buy the newest, most up to date and you're not as far back as you would be in a year.

 

[LostSoul80]

Of course I don't have any sources, don't be ridiculous, this is a forum not a scientific journal.

You're the one claiming the iPad's screen is "poor quality", and unless you prove it that remains your very personal opinion.
If this was the Moon, the logic wouldn't change.

Also, notice how backlight and color evenness aren't the only factors in determining a panel's quality. And again: I claim most iPads' panels are almost perfect, thus of great quality because of their perfect backlight and color evenness.

As for your display being perfect, it is not. No LCD panels have perfect uniformity. That is only possible with plasma or OLED technology that doesn't require a back light. If by perfect you mean uniform enough that you don't notice it, fine. I, however, do notice it in all LCD screens I use, and it is more of a problem with the ipad 3 retinal display than most

So, let me sum this up for you.
- You claim that iPads' panels suck because of their color-backlight unevenness compared to other LCDs.
- You then claim that, of course, LCD panels can't have perfect uniformity.

Also, where in the world is written that anything perfect exists? Plasma is a perfect technology? OLED is that better?
Do you think Apple didn't have money to hire the best electronics engineers in the world for this?

I start smelling something like...

 

[spiderman0616]

Nope. Resolution isn't everything when it comes to displays, and in other respects the new retina display is poor quality. Apple has pushed into new technogy too quickly and had to compromise too much. There is always a compromise between backlight evenness and thickness of panel. Apple has always unfortunately chosen thin displays over even ones. It makes sense: most people don't care about display evenness. Most people don't even care about resolution, apple has had to convince them they should with the whole retina branding. But those of us who do care are not OCD. I've been to apple stores and went though many ipad3s. It is not some faulty displays, they are all sub standard.

This could not be more untrue.

 

[redrum42]

You're the one claiming the iPad's screen is "poor quality", and unless you prove it that remains your very personal opinion.
If this was the Moon, the logic wouldn't change.

Also, notice how backlight and color evenness aren't the only factors in determining a panel's quality. And again: I claim most iPads' panels are almost perfect, thus of great quality because of their perfect backlight and color evenness.




So, let me sum this up for you.
- You claim that iPads' panels suck because of their color-backlight unevenness compared to other LCDs.
- You then claim that, of course, LCD panels can't have perfect uniformity.

Also, where in the world is written that anything perfect exists? Plasma is a perfect technology? OLED is that better?
Do you think Apple didn't have money to hire the best electronics engineers in the world for this?

I start smelling something like...

Image

No troll. And yes, you summarized what I said correctly. No contradiction there. And yes, of course there is more to a display than uniformity. Plasma has horrific burn in, OLED is unworkable at the moment due to poor lifespan. Both are totally innapropriate for an iPad.

Sure apple has the best engineers in the workpld, but they aren't trying to make the best screens in the world, they are trying to make the most money and most marketable overall product. They think the iPad 3 is over all more desirable than the 2and they are correct. Part is genuine innovation, part is marketing. For what I value in my products though, the 2 is better. Apple isn't designing their products with just me in mind. I was offering a perspective from which the 2 is better than the 3. That perspective is valid.

 

[LostSoul80]

No contradiction there.

I see a contradiction there. All LCDs don't have perfect backlight evenness. Then why would the iPad be worse then others? Given those panels are defective, there's no evidence to compare.

Sure apple has the best engineers in the workpld, but they aren't trying to make the best screens in the world, they are trying to make the most money and most marketable overall product.

Who's telling that? The screen is the perhaps most important feature in the iPad. Every company tries to stress their own innovative features, so again, why would the iPad screen be so bad? I find the screen to be one of the best I've ever used on any mobile device.

I was offering a perspective from which the 2 is better than the 3. That perspective is valid.

I'm not saying one must prefer the iPad 3, that's totally not my point.