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I upgraded from an iPad 1, so it is lighter, faster, and the screen is a definite plus. I do a lot of reading on my iPad so the retina screen is proving to be a huge upgrade for me. Definitely not regretting selling my old iPad, especially since I only paid $300 for the new iPad.
 
Oh and i forgot to add, Comics - they look bleeding GORGEOUS! I scan my own European 8x11 comics at ~ 1200dpi (overkill I know), but when I used to read them on my original iPad, they just were so fuzzy and distorted in full screen view (not to mention slow as heck). Now, with the new iPad, owing to the higher resolution screen - wow the difference is night and day. These monstrous scans are quick to render and look just a-mazing. I am still reeling from that one, in a good way!
 
I would definitely say this is a bigger upgrade than the last time around. I find the retina display allows me to read much better in portrait mode. Dictation is also a nice feature, which I'm using right now to write this. Overall I'm happy with my purchase coming from an iPad 2.
 
I'm probably going to take mine back and stick with my iPad 2. The new display is awesome, no doubt about it. I also bought a month of LTE last night for ***** and giggles. Unbelievably fast. Faster than my Time Warner cable internet at home. That's my first experience with LTE and I am blown away.

But, I'm not particularly crazy about the increased heft of the new iPad, which is noticeable. I also don't like how warm the new iPad gets. The iPad 2 felt like I was holding a book. This feels like I am holding, well, a computer. The slower charge times also suck, but that's not a deal breaker. And while the LTE kicks all kinds of ass, the fact of the matter is that I rarely use the 3G on my iPad 2. I don't give a rat's ass about the new camera. Who the hell uses the iPad for a camera anyway? My iPhone 4 works great for that. Plus, it is always with me.

So, while the new iPad is very nice, there are things I like better about the iPad 2, so I'll keep that one. If I had an iPad 1 though, I'd definitely upgrade. I'll wait for the next one when Apple can make it smaller, cooler, charge faster, etc.
 
But, I'm not particularly crazy about the increased heft of the new iPad, which is noticeable. I also don't like how warm the new iPad gets. The iPad 2 felt like I was holding a book. This feels like I am holding, well, a computer. The slower charge times also suck, but that's not a deal breaker.


I don't doubt at all that your iPad gets warm but I'm interested to hear when. I own a wifi model and have yet to feel any significant warmth even when playing graphic intensive games like infinity blade 2. Im wondering if it has to do with the LTE.
 
What do you mean 7x? The 4 and the 4S have the same display resolution, but the iPad (3rd gen) has 4 times the number of pixels that the iPad 2 has.
Having now spent some time with my iPad (3rd gen) there is a huge difference in the display quality compared to my iPad 2. Everything just looks so much brighter and livelier, especially text and icons. Some games, e.g. Asphalt 6 and real Racing 2 have been updated and look great too.

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

Graphics are suppose to be better on the 4S yet i havent seen anything to show that off.
 
The 2012 iPad is MAJOR upgrade in terms of base technology. The major changes were the Retina display which is pushing the boundaries of portable display technology and graphics processing, the layered quad-core graphics, bluetooth 4.0 which makes BT more power efficient, and LTE which boosts the base speed of wireless connections. Even though it looks almost the same as an iPad 2 at first blush, the comfort level of using the iPad and the fluidity of iOS make for an experience that is smooth. I'm expecting a lot of Android copies over 2012 and most of them falling flat because they won't have enough power to drive the displays.
 
Graphics are suppose to be better on the 4S yet i havent seen anything to show that off.
Doesn't say anything about 'better', just faster. Quite a different thing. You can see the difference between the 4 and 4S when playing graphic intensive games.
 
We paid $319 for hubby's upgrade after selling his iPad 2, comparing photos on them last night before shipping the 2 out today, yep! Worth it! I hadn't been able to justify the purchase on the first two but am loving mine too!
 
To me this was a huge upgrade coming from the iPad 1.
The number one thing why I did not upgrade to the iPad 2 was the Ram, it was such a limitation on the 1 that I was disappointed that Apple did not go with 1 gig on the iPad 2.

This time around they did the right thing and added a sufficient amount of Ram, add to this the quad core graphics, Retina display and it becomes the perfect Tab in my eyes.

I loved my iPad 1 and had it the day it was released but towards the end it was just not able to handle 2 things at the same time and kept crashing.
I will keep the 3rd gen iPad for 2 years again and upgrade to the 5th gen unless something major comes with the 4th gen like the haptic screen.
 
I knew it had been worth the upgrade from an iPad 2 as soon as I first glimpsed my retina display home screen, it was gorgeous. And my Dad has been sitting there chuckling to himself playing with my old iPad.
 
for me the screen and 4G closed the deal for me.

But I do agree with those that say, the overall performance doesn't feel that much better. Little faster here and there, but nothing drastic.

But that screen. My god. What a beautiful screen.
 
But, I'm not particularly crazy about the increased heft of the new iPad, which is noticeable. The iPad 2 felt like I was holding a book. This feels like I am holding, well, a computer.
Sorry, but are you saying that the extra 0.03 in (thickness) and 2 oz makes the new iPad feel like a computer in your hand?!?
 
upgrading is all relative in my opinion.

If I was buying an addition ipad for the family I would buy a ipad 2, most likely used or refurb.

If it was solely for me then I would upgradeto the ipad 3.

I can't say the upgrade is worth it until the jailbreak is out.
 
Oh and i forgot to add, Comics - they look bleeding GORGEOUS! I scan my own European 8x11 comics at ~ 1200dpi (overkill I know), but when I used to read them on my original iPad, they just were so fuzzy and distorted in full screen view (not to mention slow as heck). Now, with the new iPad, owing to the higher resolution screen - wow the difference is night and day. These monstrous scans are quick to render and look just a-mazing. I am still reeling from that one, in a good way!

Damn, I didn't think of that... Now you're tipping the scales for me the other way... I was going to hold out for a new MBP ( hopefully within 2 months) & grab a 128G Siri-able iPad 4 next spring. :rolleyes:
 
I think the heat has more to do with it actually.
Ah, OK. In your post it said 'heft' which I assumed was about the extra weight/thickness.
Incidentally, mine doesn't get hot at all. I would keep an eye on that and take it to an Apple Store if it persists.
 
Yes the upgrade was definitely worth it in my opinion. Dictation is very useful and the retina display is simply amazing.
 
For the moment, I have to answer no. Mine is being returned and Apple is replacing it. Entire top quarter of the screen is yellow, and it also got hot enough to be uncomfortable while doing nothing but reading these forums.

I am hoping that I just got a defective one and that the new one is as perfect as my iPad 2 and iPhone 4S have been.
 
Yesterday I like my new iPad. Today I freaking love it. The screen looks more amazing the more you use it. My eyes almost need to get used to the detail that wasn't there before. :D
 
Was absolutely worth the purchase (came from an Android tablet).

Was not worth waking up at 5am when I could have just strolled in and got one that afternoon. :rolleyes:
 
Biggest things that make upgrading worth it:

1. Retina display. Though the difference isn't as dramatic to me as it is to many reviewers and some people here. But it is a welcome improvement and I find myself having to zoom in less often to read some text and articles.

2. Dictation. This feature makes browsing and participating in online forums a joy. Before hand, I used to write most of my posts from the computer, and the few times I was on various forums in bed I spent a lot of time typing on that on-screen keyboard.

I feel that with the new iPad, content creation is a real possibility, and makes it even more useful than it was in the past. Need to write a proposal? No problem, just dictate it, then use the touch features to make it look pretty. Good combo!

The better camera is going to be a seldom used feature for me, and the extra graphics ability will also be lost on me for the most part since I don't play graphics intensive games.

Despite feeling like this was a big deal at the announcement, I no longer feel it is a "necessary" upgrade but certainly a welcome one. I also view it as more incremental than major now that I spent some time with it.

(Keeping in mind here I don't use cellular data, so for those folks the 4G is definitely a big step up but irrelevant to my case.)

I think I will sit out the next iPad, personally and get the iPad 5. While I have disposable income and can afford to upgrade with each release (as I have been on my iPhone and iPad for years now), I think I will put that money aside in the near future unless something truly game changing comes out next time.
 
Ah, OK. In your post it said 'heft' which I assumed was about the extra weight/thickness.
Incidentally, mine doesn't get hot at all. I would keep an eye on that and take it to an Apple Store if it persists.

And actually, I'm noticing it a lot less this morning. Last night, I was downloading/updating apps, plus I was checking out a few games, so I'm pretty sure this raised the heat level. I can still feel it, but a lot less with basic web browsing on wifi.
 
Doesn't say anything about 'better', just faster. Quite a different thing. You can see the difference between the 4 and 4S when playing graphic intensive games.

Well it also says, they run smoother and look even more realistic :confused:

What games are suppose to look better?
 
Upgraded from an iPad 1 and the new display alone has made it worth it. I recently got my first iPhone and had stopped using my iPad due to its sluggish performance and display in comparison to the 4S. I am really enjoying my new gadget and hope it lasts another two years.
 
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