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If you based your choice on all the hoopla about iPad flaws, you made a mistake. There are problems out there to be sure, but Apple's sold millions of these things and you've been reading the complaints of not even 100 people.

If you made your choice on what's most practical for you, then you portably made the right decision.
 
as someone mentioned the battery does take a bit longer to recharge.

From what ive read, the ipad 2 recharges completely at 4 hours. The 3 is between 5 and 6. The 1-2 hour difference is really not that much different esp since when the 3 is charged to lets say 80% in 4 hours, the 80% will still give 8 hours. But honestly i dont think the longer battery charge time is that big of a flaw.

imo, both batteries from the ipad 2 and 3 are awesome. It really comes down to $$$$$$ and if you want that screen.
 
The ipad 2 right now might seem like a good idea. But in a few months it won't be. The same thing was said with the release of the ipad 2 oh don't upgrade and now people don't even think about ipad 1
 
I have been asked numerous times by people once they see I have the 3rd Generation if they should get the 2 or 3.

My position, having owned the 1, 2 and 3rd Gen, is that if you have never owned an iPad or own the iPad 1, get the 3. If you already have the 2, stick with it.
 
The only reason I'd consider an iPad2 is if I had to buy bulk for a school district or something.

In that case the per unit cost reduction would be significant and the usefulness of the device wouldn't be compromised by the older model's tradeoffs.
 
I finally decided to take the iPad plunge and I bought an iPad2. reason being is because I keep reading about people complaining about how their iPad3s run hotter and their battery life isn't quite up to par vs. the iPad2.

not having the high def screen or the higher front camera ratting wasn't a big deal to me. we don't live in an LTE area so that wasn't a big deal either.

so what do u guys think? did I make the right decision or should I get an iPad3 for future OS compatibility reasons on newer hardware?
Did you only read about the iPad 3 or did you actually try it? Whether you made the right decision or not is for you to determine based on your priorities. Polling others with differing priorities isn't the way to find out.
 
I finally decided to take the iPad plunge and I bought an iPad2. reason being is because I keep reading about people complaining about how their iPad3s run hotter and their battery life isn't quite up to par vs. the iPad2.

not having the high def screen or the higher front camera ratting wasn't a big deal to me. we don't live in an LTE area so that wasn't a big deal either.

so what do u guys think? did I make the right decision or should I get an iPad3 for future OS compatibility reasons on newer hardware?

If you're not strapped for cash, I'd suggest returning the 2 and getting the 3. Even though the retina display isn't a big deal to you, I think that if you spent some time with it, you'd be glad that you have that display. I upgraded from the 2 to the 3, and everything (photos, video, text, color) looks noticeably better to me.

While I don't use the rear camera much, I'm glad that I have it because I've been able to snap some nice photos or record high def video on the spur of the moment when it's been the only camera that I had in hand. I didn't use the camera at all on the 2 because the picture quality was terrible.

I think that it's good to have the newer processor, too, to be able to run processor intensive apps that become available over time.

Even though you're not in an LTE area now, you might be someday (maybe LTE will come to your area sooner than later, or you might move or travel, for example). Now that I've experienced LTE speed, I wish that I had it on my iPhone. Regardless, it's not a need for you now, but for an extra $100 (I'm assuming that you bought the 3G iPad 2), it's nice to have along with the above features for the small (IMO) price increase.

The heat is such an overblown issue: as has been said, it's just a little warm and not uncomfortable or unpleasant. I have a snap shield on the back, and I don't feel any heat with it attached. As to the battery life, even if the 3's battery doesn't last as long as the 2, it still lasts a long time, and it's pretty close.

Since you asked the question, it sounds to me like you're concerned that you might regret your decision once you're past the return window, and since you're just jumping into the iPad, I would recommend the 3 for you. Both iPads are great, but I'd at least try out the 3 and determine if it's worth it or not.
 
The iPad 2 is a great gadget. To the people saying he made a bad choice, let's not forget that we all loved our iPad 2s until we saw the new iPad a short month and a half ago. To the people saying he made a good choice based on his reasoning, let's not forget that everyone was clamoring for a retina display iPad......until it was released. Then all of a sudden it was a big letdown for some reason. (Still haven't figured that one out yet.)

If you truly couldn't afford the new iPad, then you made the correct choice. If an extra $100 was truly going to be a stretch for you, then by all means, iPad 2 all the way. It's a great device with almost exactly the same great form factor. The screen is actually no slouch on the iPad 2, but try not to ever look at a retina display iPad if you can help it. It's quite noticebaly better.

If you passed on the new iPad simply because you've convinced yourself that the retina display, the HD back camera, the upgraded graphics, and the voice dictation are not worth it, you made a terrible choice. If you are just being cheap and justified it by saying that the retina display isn't worth it, you're seriously mistaken.

But in the end, it's your money. I have a feeling you're slightly uncomfortable with your decision, since you're crowd sourcing for opinions on an mostly pro-Apple oriented forum.
 
I finally decided to take the iPad plunge and I bought an iPad2. reason being is because I keep reading about people complaining about how their iPad3s run hotter and their battery life isn't quite up to par vs. the iPad2.

I did just the same.
 
I just want to point out that I bought my iPad 1 just before the iPad 2 was released, knowingly, and I never felt I made a bad choice. If it weren't for the Retina Display, which greatly benefits my needs, especially recently, I would still be happily rocking the 1. Anyone saying buying the 2 is a bad choice just because it's the 2 are full of elitist crap and just trying to justify their own purchase of the 3 (as if they need to justify how they spend their money to anyone).
 
Take a look at the retina screen of the new iPad. If you want the retina, exchange it for the new one otherwise just keep your iPad 2.
 
I finally decided to take the iPad plunge and I bought an iPad2. reason being is because I keep reading about people complaining about how their iPad3s run hotter and their battery life isn't quite up to par vs. the iPad2.

not having the high def screen or the higher front camera ratting wasn't a big deal to me. we don't live in an LTE area so that wasn't a big deal either.

so what do u guys think? did I make the right decision or should I get an iPad3 for future OS compatibility reasons on newer hardware?

The screen is worth the extra money, the heat is very inconsequential and I've yet to run out of battery during a full day of use.
 
I don't even have my new ipad yet and I think you should have definitely gone with latest and greatest. To me even the screen specs alone is worth the upgrade for any ipad 2 owner not to mention those who don't have one. Look at it this way, I waited to buy a tablet just because the screen resolution on every tablet to date was crap so to even think about getting an ipad 2 with the new ipad boasting that many more pixels is nuts.
 
I finally decided to take the iPad plunge and I bought an iPad2. reason being is because I keep reading about people complaining about how their iPad3s run hotter and their battery life isn't quite up to par vs. the iPad2.

not having the high def screen or the higher front camera ratting wasn't a big deal to me. we don't live in an LTE area so that wasn't a big deal either.

so what do u guys think? did I make the right decision or should I get an iPad3 for future OS compatibility reasons on newer hardware?

The new I-Pad screen is georgus :)
 
Honestly, I think you made a big mistake. $100 is not enough in the long run to justify giving up the massive improvement that is the retina display. Take all of the issues that are being discussed on this forum with a grain of salt - a big grain of salt. We are talking about the fussiest, most finicky of Apple fans here. If they were real issues, you'd see them discussed outside of here, on Facebook, etc., by others who bought the new iPad. The only thing I've seen mentioned is battery-related. Yes, it takes longer to charge, and yes, maybe sometimes it doesn't run quite as long - we're still talking about 9 hours, though (instead of 10.)

I've had mine for two weeks now and I'm absolutely thrilled. It's an improvement on the best device I've ever bought - iPad 1. The thought of buying another device with that quality screen when something is better for such a paltry amount more, I can't understand it. The iPad, to me, is a reading device - email, websites, etc., and deserves the best screen possible. $100 is nothing if you keep this thing for a couple years, or longer. Our iPad 1 is well into year 3 (bought on launch day, now my wife's iPad - she loves it.)

If I were you, I'd take it back and get the new iPad.
 
I think you should take it back and get the 3.

We got 2 iPad 3 and they both work great. My battery lasts for days, and haven't had any heat issues.

Speaking abou battery, it might be true.
My previouse I pad 2 was WFi and my new one in 4G and GPS and the battery dies fester, but maby because now with my new I pad, GPS is always on so probably this is the reason why the batterie dies fester but probably if u will turn off GPS then the batterie should be on pair with in pad 2
 
GPS wouldn't drain the battery that much, but 4G will drain it faster, I think. Do you have it on all the time?
 
thanks for all the good info. I returned the 2 and got the 3. $100 isn't chump change (at least not to me), but I can easily blow $100 on other things that might not be so worthwhile.
 
thanks for all the good info. I returned the 2 and got the 3. $100 isn't chump change (at least not to me), but I can easily blow $100 on other things that might not be so worthwhile.

I think that's the right decision. the iPad 2 has some things going for it--lighter, battery charge times, etc. but I think for future proofing/keeping value the iPad 3 is a better decision. Easier to resell in a year or two if you decide you want to upgrade.
 
GPS wouldn't drain the battery that much, but 4G will drain it faster, I think. Do you have it on all the time?

I don't use 4G at all.(for me it is too expansive, at list for now)
But 100% of time GPS(which is free) is turned on on my I pad

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thanks for all the good info. I returned the 2 and got the 3. $100 isn't chump change (at least not to me), but I can easily blow $100 on other things that might not be so worthwhile.

good decision
 
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I finally decided to take the iPad plunge and I bought an iPad2. reason being is because I keep reading about people complaining about how their iPad3s run hotter and their battery life isn't quite up to par vs. the iPad2.

not having the high def screen or the higher front camera ratting wasn't a big deal to me. we don't live in an LTE area so that wasn't a big deal either.

so what do u guys think? did I make the right decision or should I get an iPad3 for future OS compatibility reasons on newer hardware?


I think if you made the right decision for yourself when you bought it then you don't need to be asking us.

I am personally a big fan of the iPad 2 and we have purchased two more since the launch of the new iPad. No complaints in our house and all three iPad 2s are perfect.
 
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