Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Could it be that the iPad2 is slower?

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the iPad1 has a 1Ghz CPU and the iPad2 has a dual core 800 or 850 ish Mhz CPU.

Could perhaps the photo app only be running on only 1 core which is a little slower?

I'm only guessing?

You're wrong :D

Apple.com/ipad tech specs clearly state 1Ghz Dual-Core A5 processor
 
Seems good on my iPad 1, using 4.3.1

Don't see any problem, unless you are referring to Imported photos instead of photos synched via iTunes. Depending your photos resolution, it may take more time and processing power to scale the photos down to the display's resolution.

My imported photos have only 6.3MP resolution, and I always use the highest quality setting. How about yours?

Also, are your imported photos in RAW format or JPEG format?

Those above would be two big factors to consider. Besides that, try closing all apps and then powering off and on your iPad to clear its memory.
 
You're wrong :D

Apple.com/ipad tech specs clearly state 1Ghz Dual-Core A5 processor

You're wrong. While the tech specs state the processor model, it is NOT the speed that the processor is running. Apple has throttled back the CPU for reasons only known to them. It's not for "stability", as those enamored with Apple would have you believe. A CPU built and labeled to run at a specific speed should be able to run at that speed regardless of load. In most cases it can be overclocked to run faster. However, if Apple doesn't know how to use the CPU efficiently, that's another story. I mean, they're only half-assing multi-tasking so that can't be the issue.

Regardless, an ipad2 shouldn't scroll pictures more choppy than an OLD Droid 1.0. Fact.
 
Last edited:
You're wrong. While the tech specs state the processor model, it is NOT the speed that the processor is running. Apple has throttled back the CPU for reasons only known to them.

I hadn't heard this before. Do you have any links to where you read this info?

Regardless, I can think of one good reason why Apple might want to throttle down the CPU speed -- to prevent excess heat. iPad 1 never got warm, but iPad 2 definitely gets warm when performing processor intensive tasks. I wouldn't want it to get as hot as the MacBook Air does sometimes, it could burn my hand!
 
You're wrong. While the tech specs state the processor model, it is NOT the speed that the processor is running. Apple has throttled back the CPU for reasons only known to them. It's not for "stability", as those enamored with Apple would have you believe. A CPU built and labeled to run at a specific speed should be able to run at that speed regardless of load. In most cases it can be overclocked to run faster. However, if Apple doesn't know how to use the CPU efficiently, that's another story. I mean, they're only half-assing multi-tasking so that can't be the issue.

Regardless, an ipad2 shouldn't scroll pictures more choppy than an OLD Droid 1.0. Fact.

I doubt this is true for the iPad 2. Pretty sure when Apple underclocks a CPU they typically do not state the processor speed in the tech specs. For example, the iPhone 4 uses the A4 but the CPU isn't even mentioned in the specs and it's widely believed to be underclocked.

I don't think they would explicitly state that it's a 1GHz processor if it's not actually running at 1GHz.
 
I hadn't heard this before. Do you have any links to where you read this info?

Regardless, I can think of one good reason why Apple might want to throttle down the CPU speed -- to prevent excess heat. iPad 1 never got warm, but iPad 2 definitely gets warm when performing processor intensive tasks. I wouldn't want it to get as hot as the MacBook Air does sometimes, it could burn my hand!

He's right about this as I also read this in a couple places. Your guess about potential overheating is as good as any. After all the first one would
overheat in outdoor summer temps (according to user reports).
 
I doubt this is true for the iPad 2. Pretty sure when Apple underclocks a CPU they typically do not state the processor speed in the tech specs. For example, the iPhone 4 uses the A4 but the CPU isn't even mentioned in the specs and it's widely believed to be underclocked.

I don't think they would explicitly state that it's a 1GHz processor if it's not actually running at 1GHz.

Well the article I read (wish I had a link... or a better memory) stated that it is indeed a 1GHz chip and Apple wanted to advertise this spec to make sure people realized it kept up with the new Android attempts (like Xoom).
It then went on to say it only clocked in the high 800's (I forget the exact speed they reported)... I don't think they had any concrete explanation for it either.

In any case it has more than enough juice to scroll pics so I'm sure a software update will fix it.
 
I doubt this is true for the iPad 2. Pretty sure when Apple underclocks a CPU they typically do not state the processor speed in the tech specs. For example, the iPhone 4 uses the A4 but the CPU isn't even mentioned in the specs and it's widely believed to be underclocked.

I don't think they would explicitly state that it's a 1GHz processor if it's not actually running at 1GHz.

Here's where I read it:

http://www.iosnoops.com/2011/03/11/apple-a5-processor-two-cores-but-clocked-slower-than-a4/

Cnet also parrots this:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20042506-64.html
 
Those with the issue ...

What format and resolution are your photos that cause stuttering?

If you downsize them to 1024x768 does the issue remain?
 
Could it be that the iPad2 is slower?

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the iPad1 has a 1Ghz CPU and the iPad2 has a dual core 800 or 850 ish Mhz CPU.

Could perhaps the photo app only be running on only 1 core which is a little slower?

I'm only guessing?

No, the iPad 2 does have a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 running at 1 Ghz, although it can dynamically scale as most modern processors do to conserve battery-life.

Even so, the Cortex-A9 is still faster than the old Cortex-A8 clock-for-clock.
 
I think I can barely see what you are talking about, but it is so minute that I wouldn't have noticed it without someone pointing it out.

From what I can tell though, it is because it seems to be loading the full res image right away, I don't have my iPad 1 with me right now to check but I remember iPad 1 loading in a smaller thumbnail during scrolling then when you stop it loads the full size. So the photo would look blurry for around a quarter of a second, which is much more noticeable than the slight scrolling lag.
 
*sigh*

Not sure how Apple overlooked this one, but if you scroll through your photos (I keep my portfolio on my iPad), it's pretty stuttery/jerky on the iPad 2, whereas it was perfect on iPad 1.

I assume it's a software glitch, but it's not a very pleasant one. :(

Well, I have no idea what you are all on about. Scrolling through photots on mine is silky smooth and stutter free.
 
I have same stuttering issue in the photo app. Anyone notice if 4.3.1 resolves this issue? (I'm not updating until I find out about jailbreak though)
 
Well, I have no idea what you are all on about. Scrolling through photots on mine is silky smooth and stutter free.

Maybe because you have only low resolution photos, choppy scrolling does not appear with those (e.g. pictures taken with front of back camera / 0,3Mpix and 0,7MPix)

If you have higher resolution photos (of course still downsized by itunes to approx. 3Mpix), animation is noticeably choppy when scrolling from one photo to another... and also when you fully zoom in and scroll within one photo.

iPad 1 does not have this problem.
 
Well the article I read (wish I had a link... or a better memory) stated that it is indeed a 1GHz chip and Apple wanted to advertise this spec to make sure people realized it kept up with the new Android attempts (like Xoom).

If they did that they could get sued. I doubt they'd want to risk that. I think your source is just not reliable, or not give you the whole picture.
 
I don't think that's necessarily true. I pointed this ethical issue out, with source, in my iPad 2 review.

http://www.bighugenerd.com/ipad-2-review.html

Oh I read Anandtech but I don't think the test is absolute proof that maximum speed of iPad 2 is only 900 MHz. There'll be legal issue if Apple made it very clear A5 is 1Ghz on the iPad page but it can only run at lower speed. It's like I buy 3Ghz intel and it can only run at 2.8. Doesn't make any sense.
 
Oh I read Anandtech but I don't think the test is absolute proof that maximum speed of iPad 2 is only 900 MHz. There'll be legal issue if Apple made it very clear A5 is 1Ghz on the iPad page but it can only run at lower speed. It's like I buy 3Ghz intel and it can only run at 2.8. Doesn't make any sense.

It's still possible that Apple is misleading everyone with their 1GHz claim. I can't prove it, but it would be interesting to ask Apple to prove it themselves.
 
It's still possible that Apple is misleading everyone with their 1GHz claim. I can't prove it, but it would be interesting to ask Apple to prove it themselves.

Yes, it's possible both ways. It's too early to have conclusion though. In the meantime I'll trust official spec 'cause that is the only source that's legal-bound.
 
Yes, it's possible both ways. It's too early to have conclusion though. In the meantime I'll trust official spec 'cause that is the only source that's legal-bound.

Every test I've seen only gets it up to less than 900... maybe Apple's advertising simply states it has a 1 GHz chip. Which it technically does. Maybe they don't explicitly say it "runs at 1 GHz". That would be one way for them to get around it.

Doesn't bother me if they underclocked it a bit... they must have found that for heat and/or battery issues it was the best choice.
 
Every test I've seen only gets it up to less than 900... maybe Apple's advertising simply states it has a 1 GHz chip. Which it technically does. Maybe they don't explicitly say it "runs at 1 GHz". That would be one way for them to get around it.

Doesn't bother me if they underclocked it a bit... they must have found that for heat and/or battery issues it was the best choice.

When they underclocked A4 on iPhone there's no mention of speed whatsoever on iPhone page. Since they clearly specified the speed of A5 on iPad page users will expect that speed for iPad. If they underclocked, the A5 should have its own page. I still believe the tests just didn't give the whole picture.
I don't care if it's 1Ghz or 900 Mhz though. I'm not that nerdy. In the end you'll lose a little speed but gain a little battery life. I just don't think blog test is the end all be all.
 
When they underclocked A4 on iPhone there's no mention of speed whatsoever on iPhone page. Since they clearly specified the speed of A5 on iPad page users will expect that speed for iPad. If they underclocked, the A5 should have its own page. I still believe the tests just didn't give the whole picture.
I don't care if it's 1Ghz or 900 Mhz though. I'm not that nerdy. In the end you'll lose a little speed but gain a little battery life. I just don't think blog test is the end all be all.

I read that Apple felt the need to mention the chip and it's (potential) speed purely because of the other tablets crowing about their 1 GHz chips.

Makes sense as usually Apple doesn't mention specs much (for a variety of reasons) and notice when it *doesn't* make them look as good they won't mention it. As in staying mum about 512k or RAM... this doesn't look as good on a chart.

So it's all about business and selling product. Apple users seem to appreciate the good battery life and underclocking the chip allows them to continue that tradition. And that spec ALSO looks good on a comparison chart :)
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.