First Hands-On Impressions of 'The New iPad'

[dadoftwogirls]

Naysayers will say this is not a major iPad refresh but for me this will be my first iPad.

Look at how the iPhone 4 S sold-people where of the opinion that iPhone 4 S would not sell because the 'spects' unremarkable...

Doesn't make much sense. Since you don't currently have an iPad, how can you quantify your comment? You have no frame of reference to judge it vs. the first two versions. I have had both and same with iPhone 4 and 4s. In both instances I can say, in my opinion they are most certainly a refresh. Nice indeed, but nothing Earth shattering.

 

[Small White Car]

I'm guessing years from now this will be the "early 2012 iPad." Just like how they refer to their computers.

EDIT: Kilamite beat me to it.

Yes, I think they really want iPads to be more like Macbooks and less like iPhones.

I guess this is a good start. We certainly don't say 'Macbook Air 5' or whatever.

I was confused at first, but this actually makes sense if they want to make tablets seem more like real computers.

 

[Boatboy24]

What is it called?

iPad 3? No where on Apple's site does it mention it.

"The new iPad". As in: "I just bought a "the new ipad" for my Mom." How awkward sounding is that?

 

[RalfTheDog]

I was very disappointed, they did not replace the home button with a , "porn" button. Apple, I expected better.

 

[tweaknmod]

Another idiotic comment from Engadget, since double resolution displays such as HiDPI or what's seen in retina don't actually offer any more real estate than their non-retina versions

I think they were referring to the capabilities that the new level of resolution along with the new chip suggests are possible. "Real estate" doesn't have to refer to only screen size, it could refer to the potential of the new hardware.

Don't be so harsh, maybe?

 

[DavidLeblond]

Ah, right. Can't believe I didn't think this.

So it'll still be called iPad 3 or perhaps 3iPad to maybe keep the consistency of generation syntax on this forum.

It'll be like the iPods. So it'll be the iPad 3G. But make sure you don't get an iPad 3G 1G! (or iPad 1G 3G?)

 

[sebseb81]

Weight of The New iPad: 1.44 lbs

Kind of a jump from iPad 2 (1.33), no? (Both models WiFi-only).

 

[John.B]

"The new iPad". As in: "I just bought a "the new ipad" for my Mom." How awkward sounding is that?

If it's advertised as "the new iPad" but labeled just "iPad" on the back? Not terribly awkward.

If the back actually said "the new iPad"? Yeah, awkward.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/apple-new-ipad-hands-on/

 

[Winni]

I felt the Tim Cook intro would lead to something just a TAD more revolutionary. He's absolutely right, but in the wrong year: it is a PC supplanting desktops. I was on the edge of my seat for him to say something, like...



But, no. Figures. The moment Apple gets off its iAss and makes something like that, they shut down about every other desktop out there for 90% of the market, and conquer everything ever made.

Well, that would be YOUR vision of the future. And if they built something like that, even I might be tempted to buy it.

But this is not Apple's vision. Or Google's vision. They want to sell dumb mobile terminals that require their cloud services to be useful.

You might one day get terabytes of cloud storage from Apple or Google. But they won't be interested in giving you local docking stations.

Anyway. There's your startup idea. Build a tablet that has those features and find out how many people out there would prefer your docking station tablet over the cloud-based tablets.

 

[gregwyattjr]

I thought Tim Cook's stage presence was fantastic today. I look forward to more of his keynotes.

 

[samcraig]

The new iPad is very very nice. It's fast, better camera and has a better screen. That being said - as an original iPad owner - still no desire to upgrade. For what I use my iPad for - none of the above is enough to get me to buy a newer version.

Note: I am not saying the new iPad isn't great. And I am sure some will love all the new bells and whistles. But for some like myself - the features aren't necessary.

 

[mindvent]

So the verdict on the name is "The new iPad?" We definitely can't just call it iPad, as we reference the original iPad all the time.

Right, because everytime apple refers to 'the Mac' they are clearly talking about the original 1984 model and not their current generation..?

 

[nagromme]

So the verdict on the name is "The new iPad?" We definitely can't just call it iPad, as we reference the original iPad all the time.

The awesome fun comes NEXT year, with the 4th-gen iPad. By then, the term “new iPad” will be ingrained, and we’ll hear things like this:

“I really want to get that 4th-gen iPad they just released!”
“Me too! But for now I guess I’ll stick with my New iPad. It’s old but it’s still good.”

The “new iPad” will then be the old iPad.

Stop the madness! Apple’s opted for simplicity, but we can still call it “3rd-gen iPad,” “retina iPad,” or even “iPad 3.”

 

[you people smh]

iDisappointed

No Siri??? No Buyeee!

 

[RalfTheDog]

What is it called?

iPad 3? No where on Apple's site does it mention it.

It depends on what size you want. The official names are,

MD328LL/A – J1 GOOD B- USA
MD329LL/A – J1 BETTER B-USA
MD330LL/A – J1 BEST-B-USA

MD366LL/A – J2A GOOD A-USA
MD367LL/A – J2A BEST A-USA
MD368LL/A – J2A BEST A-USA

MD369LL/A – J2A GOOD B-USA
MD370LL/A – J2A BETTER B-USA
MD371LL/A – J2A BEST B-USA

MD199LL/A – J33 BEST -USA

Please refer to the full name when talking about one of these new devices.

Edited to say, devices in other countries will have different names.

 

[uknowimright]

was hoping for a transformer style dock, but it still looks really nice
they need to fix the pre-order site before I change my mind
(only cuz I just bought a couple of 27" monitors and really shouldn't be spending more before I even get to play with those lol)

 

[JHankwitz]

What's amazing to me is that you can blow through your entire monthly data plan in fifteen minutes.

You're certainly in the minority. Wi-Fi is almost everywhere. Most people won't even start to consider getting a 4G model, even if it didn't cost any more.

The only place you likely won't have Wi-Fi access is while driving in your car, and I hope you weren't planning on using your iPad while driving. As a passenger, you can download whatever you need quickly before you leave home, work, school, grocery store, restaurant, etc. Forking over big buck$ for a data plan of any size is crazy for most people.

 

[Meandmunch]

Anyone able to break through the traffic in the store and actually order one yet?

UPDATE: Order was finally successful! March 16th can't come fast enough.

 

[Lesser Evets]

Well, that would be YOUR vision of the future. And if they built something like that, even I might be tempted to buy it.

But this is not Apple's vision. Or Google's vision. They want to sell dumb mobile terminals that require their cloud services to be useful.

I know... oh, I know... that iCloud stuff is goofing up a beautiful future. Ah well. I think some accessory manufacturer could make a dock + storage solution that kind of does what is missing from the iPad; this way also sells more Macs to allow storage.

It'll be a few years before Apple realized iCloud was merely a transitory item blocking the light. SS memory will dive in price this decade, and the storage on the iPad or off will blow away the iCloud.

 

[RalfTheDog]

You're certainly in the minority. Wi-Fi is almost everywhere. Most people won't even start to consider getting a 4G model, even if it didn't cost any more.

The only place you likely won't have Wi-Fi access is while driving in your car, and I hope you weren't planning on using your iPad while driving. As a passenger, you can download whatever you need quickly before you leave home, work, school, grocery store, restaurant, etc. Forking over big buck$ for a data plan of any size is crazy for most people.

Think of 4G as insurance. You can't use, Find My iPhone, to track down a stolen device without cell. It also comes in handy on road trips when you get lost and need to download a map to a different location.

 

[Taz Mangus]

Naysayers will say this is not a major iPad refresh but for me this will be my first iPad.

Look at how the iPhone 4 S sold-people where of the opinion that iPhone 4 S would not sell because the 'spects' unremarkable...

The pundits will always put down Apple no matter what they do. I am more interested in how the thing operates and improves my user experience. I will always pay for user experience. Having the higher resolution alone makes the upgrade worth it to me. If it has a faster processor, better faster graphics processing, etc. are just icing on the cake for me. Heck, I still own the original iPad and was considering the iPad 2 but held off because I don't typically buy a new device every year. I will definately be buying the third generation iPad.

Wait, there's the popcorn. Can't wait to see how the pundits are going to spin this.

 

[KPOM]

Fingers crossed, the Apple Store app seems to be working for me, though the actual web site is still down. I can't wait. This looks great.

Update: It is timing out when I hit Check Out.

 

[JHankwitz]

The moment Apple gets off its iAss and makes something like that, they shut down about every other desktop out there for 90% of the market, and conquer everything ever made.

That's whay they make the MacBook Air.

 

[Rocketman]

The pundits and several posters here are tripping all over themselves to not be enthusiastic about the differences, stating or implying it is a minor update.

That doesn't pass the smell test. At the same price, battery life, general feature and operating method, and size, it offers surprisingly increased benefits.

It has network access up to 10x as fast wirelessly, so if you need/want to you actually can practically play wireless HD video away from a fixed internet spot.

It has about 4x the screen resolution.

It has about 2x the processor speed and 4x the graphics capacity so you do not see slower response despite the 4x visual capacity.

It is at some basic level (2G/3G) a world phone data access device.

It is pitched as a hotspot, presumably either with a minimum service level or encouraging you to consume data so you simply pay more when you use it.

It facilitates new classes of software previously limited to desktop and laptop devices with CPU, graphics, and memory chips which themselves cost as much as this entire device, but includes an entire computer platform.

That sounds at least "fair" to me and based on how I presented it, I think a majority of people reading this will actually think it "above average to exciting".

Maybe it's just me. I doubt it.

Rocketman

 

[swagi]

Well, that would be YOUR vision of the future. And if they built something like that, even I might be tempted to buy it.

But this is not Apple's vision. Or Google's vision. They want to sell dumb mobile terminals that require their cloud services to be useful.

You might one day get terabytes of cloud storage from Apple or Google. But they won't be interested in giving you local docking stations.

Anyway. There's your startup idea. Build a tablet that has those features and find out how many people out there would prefer your docking station tablet over the cloud-based tablets.

I have no idea, as I don't need and use an iPad or for the record another tablet (if I will ever get one it surely will be Windows8 based as I am so sold on WindowsPhone 7 and the live tile metaphor), but...

...isn't it possible to use your home-based NAS and share all your stuff. Or do you have to tell Google or Apple what is on your NAS so iPad can find it?

I'm confused - and if that was the only way to use it, I honestly would think that sucks big time.