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Is the New iPad worth $200 more?

Saturn007 said:
Interesting, helpful thread.

Chuckled a bit over this:



A "sieve"?:) Pray tell! Any side-by-side comparison I've done have shown lil dif... and I've even had sales people and customers gather round & they've have failed to see any screen difference! And that's true even with hi-res video and NY Times text blown up a fair amount. Blown up a crazy amount, then yes there's a difference, but that's hardly a test of normal use.

As we were doing the comparisons, people were flabbergasted at the lack of difference.

OTOH, I believe you. I used to be able to read the text in iPhone apps that displayed at 2x on the iPad, but now they are just miserably jagged and hard on the eyes!
Click to expand...

Weird comment. You start by saying wrong I am then tell me you believe me :confused:

Anyway what I was saying is that if you stand in a shop for 2 minutes and stick the two side by side you'll probably go "There's not much difference" even if you stick on a "High Res" movie.

For me it's like a fine wine; if you give it to your average Joe he's going to compare it to a $5 bottle of wine and say "There's not much difference". However if he continues to drink fine wine for a while then tries to go back to "El-Plonko" - he's gonna say it tastes like crap. :)
 
Rodster said:
For me there was a difference when when I saw them side by side @ Best Buy but I never got the difference as major. To me I to did not think it was worth $200 more. It wasn't until I bought one that I began to appreciate the high res screen.

Some may not think it's that big a deal and will wait till the 4th Gen if Apple decides to seriously beef up the CPU and GPU.
Click to expand...

In the apple store, I sold 3 couples on the 3 when i called a sales rep over who was carrying a 2 and compared them - the screen is far better on the 3 and websites like NYTimes.com present the difference starkly.

IMO anyone who claims they cannot tell a huge difference on sites like that with lots of small text, and then blows the text up to see the jagged edges on the 2, is in need of a stronger glasses prescription. There is simply no comparison in the screen quality, it's not even close.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/

The magnifying glass comparison on the link above is a good representation of the screens.
 
transphasic said:
In the apple store, I sold 3 couples on the 3 when i called a sales rep over who was carrying a 2 and compared them - the screen is far better on the 3 and websites like NYTimes.com present the difference starkly.

IMO anyone who claims they cannot tell a huge difference on sites like that with lots of small text, and then blows the text up to see the jagged edges on the 2, is in need of a stronger glasses prescription. There is simply no comparison in the screen quality, it's not even close.
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The importance of the screen quality is debatable to some. I think the screen is gorgeous, no question. But as i've mentioned before I own both a 2 and 3. I use the 2 a little more because my eyesight is such that the jagginess of the 2 actually makes the text a little bolder for me. With the 3, yes everything is much sharper but that means I have to zoom in even more.
 
Well, I did it and then did it again (OP)

My iPad 2 came from China in about 5 days. It looked like new. The only problem was that apparently it was defective. The home button only worked some of the time, and it crashed (wouldn't turn off) within hours. I packed it up after both enjoying it and cursing it 2 days later and went to my local Apple Store to look again at the new iPad 3s (I'm calling it that because one can still get a new iPad 2) now that I have a little experience with them. The educational discount (in the way of a $50 iTunes card) reduced the difference to $150, and the new one will use Siri, besides having double the resolution, faster graphics processor, etc. It IS noticeably heavier, thicker, and hotter. But I gave trying to save $200 a shot. If it had not screwed up on me, I likely would have kept it anyway; but I'd always wonder what I would be missing. Backing up the iPad2, wiping it, and loading everything on to the new one took minutes in the store with no computer. That's awesome. Apple employees also made the whole experience a pleasure- just paid the difference and handed them the iPad2 after an employee spent 1/2 with me. The new AppleCare+ is a good deal as well, esp. if you're prone to breaking things.

There is one unexpected thing that I really do appreciate on the new device, and you can't see this on the store demos: Apps made for the iPhone and not universal for the iPad as well look, well, iPhone size in the middle of the screen. Fair enough- they look fine; but when you hit the 2x button to have them fill the screen, most of them look terrible on the iPad2. Not so on the new iPad. They look fine. Not as good as when smaller, but definitely good enough- readable, no jaggies. Likewise, small screenshots in the App Store are much easier to read on the new one.
Thanks to everyone for your input. They are both great machines- there is no wrong answer. Just up to one's preference and pocketbook.:apple:
 
I just got my refurb iPad 2 16 gb a few nights ago. I don't think I could pay $200 more for it. I think the sweet spot for me is sub-$4000 after tax. Anyone who complains about the screen being garbage is nuts -- sure, I have an iPhone 4 and the screen is much better and clearer, but the iPad 2 still looks awesome and is a great device. As a browser/Netflix machine/e-reader/e-textbook device the price is right. $500+tax is expensive for a base model toy considering we all have smartphones and computers here (which could do anything a tablet can, maybe not as well in some aspects but still).
 
RobesNo1 said:
iPad 2 is still a great device. What I will say after using the 3rd gen for a while trying to look at an iPad 2 screen is like looking at it through a sieve, but if it's what you're used to it's still a great screen.

If the $200 is a big thing to you then I wouldn't see a problem with getting the iPad 2 it's life cycle is likely to be as long as the 3rd gen anyway.
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I got a refurb 16GB ipad 2 and it looked the same as a new one other than the box. After having it for 2 weeks I decided to return it to Apple and and most likely going to get a new iPad. With the screen being the thing u use most it's worth it to me imo. The iPad 2 resolution was ok for games and photos but text was pretty poor.
 
Again, go for the new iPad if money is no object.

I've had my iPad2 for almost a year and I'm still trying to decide if I should upgrade. I love my device, but dat screen "changes everything".
 
Not all my Apple devices need retina display. I want to experience retina and the cheapest way to go about it is with the iPad. I am willing to shell out the difference between current iPad 2 and iPad 3 prices to obtain that experience, but I would not want to shell out the difference on an iMac or Macbook Pro.

Although iPhone 4's retina display was nice, it wasn't nice enough to deter me from jumping ship to Android for it's bigger screen. Retina or not, I am not going to be switching back to iPhone unless it's pentaband and offers a larger 4" screen.
 
Oh yes,definitely!

I loved and was smitten with my iPad 1.It served 85% of my computer needs at the young age of 64
When iP3 came out, I visited the Apple store, viewed the screen and fell in love.
My next computer will have to have a Retina Display, hopefully an 11" MBA.
:apple: has again ruined me for these stunning displays:cool:
 
As someone who owns the iPad 2, i don't see the reason to upgrade to the 3. I have friends who did, and yes the screen does look nice but it's not that noticeable. I hope that apple does add Siri and the other iOS 6 update to the iPad 2 since there isn't too much hardware difference.

So, not worth the 200 IMO.
 
concernedone said:
As someone who owns the iPad 2, i don't see the reason to upgrade to the 3. I have friends who did, and yes the screen does look nice but it's not that noticeable. I hope that apple does add Siri and the other iOS 6 update to the iPad 2 since there isn't too much hardware difference.

So, not worth the 200 IMO.
Click to expand...

I own both a 2 and a 3 and there can be a big difference depending on what you're doing. I think the better argument is saying the iPad 3rd Gen screen is not as important rather than saying it's not noticeable. Just comparing the stock wallpaper will have a noticeable difference.

If someone has an iPad 2 and are satisfied with it, I'd say wait for the iPad 4th Gen next year. It will get another spec bump and the gap between the 3 and 4 will be farther apart.
 
My strategy is to buy the iPad 2 and wait for a more refined iPad 3 to come out or perhaps a smaller iPad.
 
People's eyes vary; their sensitivity or ability to pick out differences varies; and some people are more likely to read small text.

Don't dismiss those of us who find little difference between the two... for us, that's true. In my case, there was a difference if you blew the text way up in size-- way up past the point where most anyone would read!:) High quality videos looked similar, too. NY Times text also.

At the same time, the reason I wrote "I believe you" is that I understand that many people see a clear difference--clearly, many reviewers did.

Now, one counter-balancing point on all that is whether the apps you use or the web sites you go to have caught up. From what I've read, things can look worse in many cases on the new iPad.

We still haven't sprung for a 2nd iPad yet--and still contemplating the best course of action (with the possibility of an MBA thrown in there, too!). A couple of questions.

1. What was intriguing here--and I'm wondering if others also have seen it--is that the 2x mode looks better on the iPad 3 than iPad 2.

2. Would we be risking a greater likelihood of glass breakage with the iPad 2? From what I've read, the screen is far more fragile--or the design is--that bumps or even small drops--lead to breakage.

3. Finally, I think that the lighter, cooler, and faster recharge time of the iPad 2 will probably make the difference.
---------------------------------

Uh-oh! He who hesitates is lost! I no longer see the $399 32gb iPad 2 wi-fi model on the refurbished list at Apple! Rats! That's most disappointing as, IIRC, I had figured out that AC+ was available.
 
I held off getting the iPad3 for 3 months before I broke down. I now have the iPad3 in 64GB and gave my Mom my iPad2. If you have the money, get the latest version. If you don't have the extra cash go for the iPad2 and try not to look at the iPad3.
 
The iPad 2 is a great device. I am happy I upgraded to 3gen, because I use mine extensively to read pdfs, and the retina display really makes a difference for that. If I wan't doing that for several hours a day, of if I was just using it for recreational use, I would probably have just kept my iPad2.
 
IMO don't waste your money, get the ipad2. I have an ipad3, gave my old ipad2 to my wife. Side by side the screens look pretty much the same, text is a bit crisper on the ipad3 is about all.

Really when do you put the retina screen to use? A lot of websites are still on 800x600 resolutions scaled up anyhow. Video at 720p is pretty adequate on the ipad2, I don't see 1080p video streamed very often. I try not to take pics at such high resolutions because they take up too much space unless I plan on actually printing them in a large size. Reading books is a bit better, sharper text.

If anything I've found the ipad3 loads webpages much much slower than the ipad2 if the page has a lot of graphics on it. I'm quite annoyed with web browsing on the ipad3 and feel it was actually a step backwards.
 
Rodster said:
Just comparing the stock wallpaper will have a noticeable difference.
Click to expand...
Can you imagine how much effort was put in by Apple to make you think that evaluating the retina screen is a no-brainer?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not disagreeing that the screen is sharper, but I think it's interesting to step back and think about how Apple spends incredible resources at trying to manipulate people's perceptions by playing to the natural tendency to stop over-thinking technology.

"Mac's just don't get viruses like PC's"

"Mac's just work"

etc...
 
citivolus said:
Can you imagine how much effort was put in by Apple to make you think that evaluating the retina screen is a no-brainer?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not disagreeing that the screen is sharper, but I think it's interesting to step back and think about how Apple spends incredible resources at trying to manipulate people's perceptions by playing to the natural tendency to stop over-thinking technology.

"Mac's just don't get viruses like PC's"

"Mac's just work"

etc...
Click to expand...

I still think that if you had the choice of buying an iPad 2 or the 3rd Gen, i'd get an iPad 2, no question. The differences between the two are not as big a deal as some say they are. I own both and I use the iPad 2 more than the iPad 3.
 
Rodster said:
I still think that if you had the choice of buying an iPad 2 or the 3rd Gen, i'd get an iPad 2, no question. The differences between the two are not as big a deal as some say they are. I own both and I use the iPad 2 more than the iPad 3.
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Agreed! I sold my iPad 1, bought the new iPad, was less than impressed with the new retina screen, returned it and bought a refurb iPad 2. It's worked out great for me. Only annoying thing for me is that I have to continue carrying around my separate 4G mifi device instead of having it bundled with the iPad, but that's a whole 'nother story.
 
citivolus said:
Agreed! I sold my iPad 1, bought the new iPad, was less than impressed with the new retina screen, returned it and bought a refurb iPad 2. It's worked out great for me. Only annoying thing for me is that I have to continue carrying around my separate 4G mifi device instead of having it bundled with the iPad, but that's a whole 'nother story.
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I think the two biggest issues with the Retina display is that you have a mix of high res and low res apps including when using Safari. My other problem is because of my eyesight not being as good as it use to be, I find myself zooming in more and zooming in closer than with the iPad 2.
 
Wrathwitch said:
$200.00 is the price difference for having tech with:

1) a better screen (it really is a beautiful screen).

2) more longevity when it comes to OS update support and compatibility.

The End.
Click to expand...

Or if you have more than one person in the household, you can get a Nexus 7 ($199) AND an iPad2 from your savings.

$200 is not chump change.
 
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