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Thoughts on the iPad 1 vs iPad 2 Design

So, what iPad design (structurally only, and ignore the weight) do you prefer?

  • Total voters
    154
A

ahbdesign

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 13, 2011
91
0
Melbourne, Australia
I was just curious to know whether there are some people out there who prefer the iPad 1 design (externally only) over the iPad 2 design.

I myself have an iPad 2, but for some reason, I prefer how the iPad 1 looks, it seems to use a different kind of aluminium, and just looks a bit classier IMO.

So, iPad 1 or iPad 2? (Design only)

Apologies if this has been discussed before.
 
personally I have both the iPad 1 and iPad 2. I like both designs, though the shape of the iPad 1 makes it seem more robust compared to the iPad 2.
 
The external appearance and feel was one of the reasons I didn't upgrade my iPad 1.

I think this is entirely personal and subjective but, for me, the iPad 2 feels a bit cheaper - specifically the back.
 
I prefer the original as well. I also prefer the iPhone 3 external design rather than the 4. The 3 felt smoother in the palm.
 
HengenJL said:
personally I have both the iPad 1 and iPad 2. I like both designs, though the shape of the iPad 1 makes it seem more robust compared to the iPad 2.
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Yea it definitely looks more robust. I feel apple put more effort into their first gen products as they do for the 2nd gen.

skyton said:
The external appearance and feel was one of the reasons I didn't upgrade my iPad 1.

I think this is entirely personal and subjective but, for me, the iPad 2 feels a bit cheaper - specifically the back.
Click to expand...

yea, as I said, I felt that the aluminum used on the iPad 1 was better.
 
Last edited:
I know this is not about the weight but in my opinion the iPad 1 had a nice weight and feel too it that the new one does not have. I also like the curved aluminium. The iPad 2 looks ugly IMO with its flat back and whole for cameras. It feels cheap. Now don't even get me started on the iPad & iPad 2's with 3g....
End of rant. PS I am not biased as I own neither I am just really opinionated :D
 
wrinkster22 said:
I know this is not about the weight but in my opinion the iPad 1 had a nice weight and feel too it that the new one does not have. I also like the curved aluminium. The iPad 2 looks ugly IMO with its flat back and whole for cameras. It feels cheap. Now don't even get me started on the iPad & iPad 2's with 3g....
End of rant. PS I am not biased as I own neither I am just really opinionated :D
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I don't think the iPad 2 looks ugly. Then again, I don't think apple makes any ugly products. The curved aluminium on the iPad 1, although impractical does look better! :)
 
I prefer the sheer material of the 1, but i like the design of the 2 better.
 
In terms of pure aesthetics, the iPad 2 wins. The tapered and then flat back, is also way more comfortable to hold, than the first generation. To me(having had the first gen for a year, and the iPad 2 since April), the iPad 2 is just as structurally sound, as the first, due to the one-piece, unibody construction.
 
I think the ipad 2 is sleeker looking and the reduced weight is a plus for it.

I bought the ipad 1 because of price point and after a few days I think it does feel more solid, sturdier.

Give and take, but all in all, if I had the cash I would've gotten then ipad 2.

Jim
 
I have to agree the weight factor is certainly a bonus for the 2.

I hope the 3 will be a combination of lighter weight of the 2 and the feeling of quality of the 1
 
I think the reason why iPad 2 seems to be 'cheaper' in hands when compared to iPad 1 is because Apple had to slim down the thickness of the iPad itself to reduce weight. Plus, batteries cannot be made in a round-shape, so a flat back may increase the maximum use of space.
 
seong said:
I think the reason why iPad 2 seems to be 'cheaper' in hands when compared to iPad 1 is because Apple had to slim down the thickness of the iPad itself to reduce weight. Plus, batteries cannot be made in a round-shape, so a flat back may increase the maximum use of space.
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Really?? What shape are AA batteries?
 
Dangerous Theory said:
Really?? What shape are AA batteries?
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I'm talking about the ones that are used in devices like iPads, iPhones, iPod Touch, Macbook Pro, Macbook Airs. When I said 'cannot be made in round-shape' I meant curved, sort of like flattened out U shape.
 
iPad2 blows iPad1 away, and i really liked iPad1.

Hopefully the iPhone 5 will have the same design.
 
ipad1 looks and feels a bit more sturdy, but i much prefer how the ipad2 feels when you hold it. it isn't just the weight, but the actual shape that feels better. i hope the ipad3 is thinner and lighter (of course).
 
Seems like there are indeed a lot more fans of the iPad 2!

darngooddesign said:
I think the original iPhone looks and feels nicer than the 3GS, but I'd always choose the 3GS to use.
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Yea the original iPhone looked like a premium phone with its choice of materials. The 3G and the 3GS, although very comfortable to hold, don't have the same premium feel as the original or the 4 for that matter.
 
Although I have never held the iPad 1 if it's anything like the iPhone 4 then I prefer the iPad 2 design to hold as I do with the iPhone 3/3GS curved back design compared to the iPhone 4.
 
ahbdesign said:
Yea the original iPhone looked like a premium phone with its choice of materials. The 3G and the 3GS, although very comfortable to hold, don't have the same premium feel as the original or the 4 for that matter.
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You missed my point, even though the 2G looked better, except for the idiotic headphone jack, I would choose a 3GS to use any day of the week.
 
I think the design was one of the main things I was disappointed with when they announced the iPad 2.

I like the angular lines of the original, and how crisp the back looked. The newer design allows for a thinner profile, but it doesn't look as good IMO.
 
ahbdesign said:
Seems like there are indeed a lot more fans of the iPad 2!



Yea the original iPhone looked like a premium phone with its choice of materials. The 3G and the 3GS, although very comfortable to hold, don't have the same premium feel as the original or the 4 for that matter.
Click to expand...

Agreed. The iPhone 1 really looked like a work of art, or a luxury car. The 3GS, which I really like, is a cheaper-feeling variant. The iPhone 4 is back to a similar (but not the same) level of polish, but I actually prefer the 3GS for comfort (I like the curved back WAY more than the flat one of the 4). That said, the white 4 is a beauty. (I have the black-- didn't want to wait!)
 
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