Expect to be amazed ...

[bperrella]

Why does everyone seem to think Apple will keep the first iPad around when the second one launches? This isn't an iPhone. It's more similar to the iPod, which they've never kept the old models around while releasing a new one. I just don't see it happening. What would be the point? All speculation is the iPad 2 will be a relatively minor upgrade anyways.

8gb iPod touch stayed the same for 2nd and 3rd gen...

 

[nunes013]

This will be it:

Apple A5 1.2 Ghz dual core
512 mb ram
front and rear camera 1.3 and 5 with HD video recording
thinner and lighter
better batter (10 hrs)
maybe double flash memory
NFC

This is what they need to compete for the next year. Apple was the only one out with a tablet last year but now that people have choices they have to up their game

 

[Coukos34]

This will be it:

Apple A5 1.2 Ghz dual core
512 mb ram
front and rear camera 1.3 and 5 with HD video recording
thinner and lighter
better batter (10 hrs)
maybe double flash memory
NFC

This is what they need to compete for the next year. Apple was the only one out with a tablet last year but now that people have choices they have to up their game

Spot on. I have 100% confidence that this is exactly what we will see. Anyone hoping for more is dreaming and/or will be disappointed.

 

[nunes013]

Spot on. I have 100% confidence that this is exactly what we will see. Anyone hoping for more is dreaming and/or will be disappointed.

i wasnt sure about the camera resolution but im thinking if they want to compete for a year thats it. there were rumors however that it was the ipod touch cameras that they were using

 

[newdeal]

...

I expect they will ditch the wifi model and put out only 3g models since the chip isn't that expensive and it will allow them to put GPS in all models.

 

[JoJoCal19]

Honestly I just wish they would keep the form factor the exact same and just bump up the RAM. If they either add a plastic case or make it too thin then I will probably just buy the first gen at a lower price. I hate the concept of thinner thinner thinner. Also if they design the new MBP like the Air then I will probably look elsewhere.

 

[Branskins]

I really hope they think of upgrading the RAM to 1 GB. In fact, I hope they don't think, I hope they do!

Even with the 512 MB of RAM the iPhone 4 has, Safari often reloads pages after a few hours (or even after 30 minutes of using the phone). It depends on what you do of course, but I am thinking that iOS 5 might features might require more RAM, on top of the huge screen of the iPad. With upgraded graphics and an upgraded processor, I would expect more advanced apps to come along which might require more RAM.

So if they are really planning for the next two years or three, I really hope they jump to 1GB of RAM!

 

[Piggie]

Honestly I just wish they would keep the form factor the exact same and just bump up the RAM. If they either add a plastic case or make it too thin then I will probably just buy the first gen at a lower price. I hate the concept of thinner thinner thinner. Also if they design the new MBP like the Air then I will probably look elsewhere.

Regards what you say.

Personally for me the thinner the better, 1/8" for the whole device as long as it was super stiff and not breakable would be a joy. Perhaps in another 30 years

However, in saying that, I would NEVER choose form over function.
Which is why I am so against the idea of iMac's. Cram everything in a thin case, make it run hot, perhaps cause yellow screen issues and unable to use high end graphics just because we like it to look thin.
That goes against my reasoning too much.
It's sitting on a desk, who even looks at the back of the iMac, when I suspect for most people the back is facing the wall anyway.

But if everything else is great, super battery fast CPU and GPU...... AND you can make it thin, then yes please, but not at the expense of what it can do.

 

[JoJoCal19]

Regards what you say.

Personally for me the thinner the better, 1/8" for the whole device as long as it was super stiff and not breakable would be a joy. Perhaps in another 30 years

However, in saying that, I would NEVER choose form over function.
Which is why I am so against the idea of iMac's. Cram everything in a thin case, make it run hot, perhaps cause yellow screen issues and unable to use high end graphics just because we like it to look thin.
That goes against my reasoning too much.
It's sitting on a desk, who even looks at the back of the iMac, when I suspect for most people the back is facing the wall anyway.

But if everything else is great, super battery fast CPU and GPU...... AND you can make it thin, then yes please, but not at the expense of what it can do.

Agreed with function over form. I just like the current thickness and heft of the iPad. Had I not waited so late in the game to get one then I would already have one but at the point when I could really justify the cash outlay (January) I decided it's best to atleast see what the 2nd gen offers.

 

[DeeEss]

I really don't expect to see that much a difference in iPad 2 at all. Except maybe for a camera for facetime, a slight change in case design and of corse a bit bigger processor and RAM and storage. A price drop would certainly therefore make sense and I think it would almost totally eliminate the competition except for those that seem to be diehard android fans. Fact remains that alot of people want and are waiting for iPad2 so I don't think the price drop will be much if at all.

I can see one day the iPad replacing the lower end macbook range. But it's a brand new and transitional product and they can ride out the sales of macbooks much longer so they are going to deliberatly hold back the iPad for a while. But as a device it certainly has it's needed place in my workflow.

I was actually very surpised at how low the price was to begin with thinking it would be around 900.

I saw some video of the Xoom and I just thought it looked overcomplicated and somewhat laggy/annoying.

I don't think they'll offer a 16gb model.

I really don't think it need to change that much. At least for what I need it for, it's almost complete as is and while I would love to see radical new features, I just can't see it happening. I would love to be able to tether a camera to it and use it for location photo viewing but that's along way off in terms of graphics power and system grunt. I look forward to seeing how they develop the OS over time. The only reason I didn't buy iPad 1 is because it didn't have a camera for facetime as it's something I need.

The only thing left to add for me is that I'm bored waiting for it.

 

[andiwm2003]

Spot on. I have 100% confidence that this is exactly what we will see. Anyone hoping for more is dreaming and/or will be disappointed.

hoping for more? what else is there that we could hope for? retina display is off already so this is the maximum list already. we will get a weaker camera, i'm doubtful about the dual core, battery life will stay the same because of the smaller form factor.

 

[jaw04005]

I could see the Wifi + 3G models costing less, but the original $499 is already low enough (for Apple's standards).

In fact, the rest of the industry is trying to match Apple's pricing and so far they've only been able to do that by reducing the size of the screen to 7", using cheaper components or subsidizing their products through mobile carriers.

You have to remember before the iPad was announced, even the WSJ was speculating the price was going to be $999, $499 for Apple is cheap.

I don't expect much to change in way of pricing for iPad 2.

 

[skidbubble]

I remember how shocked everyone was at how low the price was on the first iPad. People were expecting it to cost $800-$1000. Now people are predicting $400 a year later.

It did cost between $800-$1000. Mine was $830.