Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Was it worth the upgrade/purchase? Sound off...
- Thread starter GrindedDown
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Quite frankly, I wish I'd have kept my iPad 2. The iPad 2 felt zippier and the screen was a little more vibrant.
I've got a 2 and a New. Yes, I can see a slight improvement in graphic resolution where better graphics are provided. Problem is, there isn't much on the web written for the new resolution, and few apps have been updated to take advantage of it yet. Time will update the apps. Not sure about the web. The iPad 2 doesn't look/perform any worse today than it did yesterday, and that was still better than every android tablet except the Asus Prime.
The UI is the same old tired iOS. In three years Android has evolved 20-fold. Me thinks this is why Apple calls it simply the "New iPad". New iPad, same old OS.
Bluetooth 4.0! Hmmm. Wondering what that is good for, since no other Bluetooth device I have is 4.0?
4G should be great if you live in an area with that service. Check coverage maps first!
The UI is the same old tired iOS. In three years Android has evolved 20-fold. Me thinks this is why Apple calls it simply the "New iPad". New iPad, same old OS.
Bluetooth 4.0! Hmmm. Wondering what that is good for, since no other Bluetooth device I have is 4.0?
4G should be great if you live in an area with that service. Check coverage maps first!
Apple don't call it the 'New iPad', simply or otherwise. They call it the new 'iPad' which is exactly what it is! The naming convention now conforms with almost every other Apple product, e.g. iMac, iPod, Apple TV, etc. etc.
----------
It was/is the same with any product that has the same shape. The same was said about the iPad 2, iPhone 4S, iPhone 3Gs, etc. The public seem to need a different shape before they consider a product to be a real upgrade! Crazy.
What more would anyone ask from the iPad 3rd Gen? What features are missing that you would like to have seen?
Anyone who has used the iPad 2 can see pretty quickly what the differences are in the display. If they can't then they need to see an optician - and I don't mean that as a joke.
Coming from a much loved 16GB WiFi iPad 1, which was a gift for some work I did, the New iPad was pretty much a no-brainer for me. I wanted more storage and a zippier experience, which I could have also gotten with the still excellent iPad 2 (which to my eyes, comparing to a friend's, is as fast as my New iPad). So I figured I'd spend $100 more to also get the Retina screen, Siri Dictation, better camera, and Bluetooth 4.0. I got the black 64GB WiFi version.
After about 8 hours of use here's my assessment of the improvements/additions over the iPad 2, which I've used enough (a friend's) to comment:
Retina Display - it's definitely better based on the Retina-upgraded apps I've tried but not mind-blowingly so. Perhaps those with better vision would see a mind-blowing difference but my less-than-perfect vision sees a definite but only marginal difference. We'll see if this changes as more apps get upgraded.
Siri Dictation - I'm disabled so this *could* be pretty significant. As with any voice dictation this completely depends on whether anybody is around because it's awkward dictating when people can hear me. I'd also much prefer it to auto-detect end of speech rather than having to press the button again. In any case it's still potentially really useful for me (and more convenient than 3rd party solutions).
Better Camera - Yes it's definitely better but the importance of a camera on a device like this for me isn't that high. It's good enough that I may actually use it to "scan" documents in a pinch.
Bluetooth 4.0 - If headphones/headsets and speakers come out that support this standard this could be useful if the claims are true. Certainly could save money on batteries!
I didn't mention the A5X (Quad Core GPU) because so far nothing I do seems to take advantage of that. As I mentioned above, it's basically as fast as the iPad 2. But I don't play any really graphically-intense games on the iPad. As more come out that take advantage of the Retina Display and GPU I might though.
Conclusion: Was going to upgrade from my sluggish and storge-starved iPad 16GB WiFi anyways and the extra $100 for the 64GB WiFi New iPad over the same iPad 2 model was worth it to me. But if you have an iPad 2 and are happy with it don't bother. Even if you have an iPad 1 and are happy (and patient) with it consider holding onto it until next year. As an iPhone 3GS owner I can tell you that Apple clearly seems intent on supporting older mobile devices with IOS updates for at least 3 years.
None of this means I think the New iPad is a disappointment. It's actually a wonderful device. But that doesn't mean everything before it suddenly becomes useless and obsolete. We don't buy cars and TVs, for example, every year do we? Get it only if you really need it.
-PN
After about 8 hours of use here's my assessment of the improvements/additions over the iPad 2, which I've used enough (a friend's) to comment:
Retina Display - it's definitely better based on the Retina-upgraded apps I've tried but not mind-blowingly so. Perhaps those with better vision would see a mind-blowing difference but my less-than-perfect vision sees a definite but only marginal difference. We'll see if this changes as more apps get upgraded.
Siri Dictation - I'm disabled so this *could* be pretty significant. As with any voice dictation this completely depends on whether anybody is around because it's awkward dictating when people can hear me. I'd also much prefer it to auto-detect end of speech rather than having to press the button again. In any case it's still potentially really useful for me (and more convenient than 3rd party solutions).
Better Camera - Yes it's definitely better but the importance of a camera on a device like this for me isn't that high. It's good enough that I may actually use it to "scan" documents in a pinch.
Bluetooth 4.0 - If headphones/headsets and speakers come out that support this standard this could be useful if the claims are true. Certainly could save money on batteries!
I didn't mention the A5X (Quad Core GPU) because so far nothing I do seems to take advantage of that. As I mentioned above, it's basically as fast as the iPad 2. But I don't play any really graphically-intense games on the iPad. As more come out that take advantage of the Retina Display and GPU I might though.
Conclusion: Was going to upgrade from my sluggish and storge-starved iPad 16GB WiFi anyways and the extra $100 for the 64GB WiFi New iPad over the same iPad 2 model was worth it to me. But if you have an iPad 2 and are happy with it don't bother. Even if you have an iPad 1 and are happy (and patient) with it consider holding onto it until next year. As an iPhone 3GS owner I can tell you that Apple clearly seems intent on supporting older mobile devices with IOS updates for at least 3 years.
None of this means I think the New iPad is a disappointment. It's actually a wonderful device. But that doesn't mean everything before it suddenly becomes useless and obsolete. We don't buy cars and TVs, for example, every year do we? Get it only if you really need it.
-PN
So after having used kit for an additional day. I am still absolutely thrilled by the new iPad. The screen is just stunning and reading is a pure joy.
One "app" that seems to really shine for me is The Daily. The pictures look stunning, the text and articles are amazingly clear to me and the small little animations (like text fade ins for quotes) make this such an awesome experience.
On big issue I have seen come up a couple of times in this thread is the question of "what games actually take advantage of the new graphics processor?" I think I may know the answer. I think we are currently being face with the dilemma that major consoles typically experience in the last when they were first released (ps2, ps3, Xbox, Xbox 360). I think that software developers haven't fully tapped into the processing power of this machine at all yet. In fact, it may be just a little longer before we really start to see what the machine is capable of. I think games on the iPad have been great, but viewed as limited to a degree. Developers are beginning to take the iPad as a very serious platform for gaming prowess. With the graphics and processors getting better and better, we will see more developers attracted to the platform, which would generally mean more dollars being pumped into development, which again in turn would mean even better gaming. I am expecting some stunning games to begin appearing in about 4-6 months time.
The iPad is going to be a major hub and player in the gaming market (despite its great presence as is). Apples claims of console quality games are not untrue, but rather they are predated. We shall see (with remarkable clarity I might add).
One "app" that seems to really shine for me is The Daily. The pictures look stunning, the text and articles are amazingly clear to me and the small little animations (like text fade ins for quotes) make this such an awesome experience.
On big issue I have seen come up a couple of times in this thread is the question of "what games actually take advantage of the new graphics processor?" I think I may know the answer. I think we are currently being face with the dilemma that major consoles typically experience in the last when they were first released (ps2, ps3, Xbox, Xbox 360). I think that software developers haven't fully tapped into the processing power of this machine at all yet. In fact, it may be just a little longer before we really start to see what the machine is capable of. I think games on the iPad have been great, but viewed as limited to a degree. Developers are beginning to take the iPad as a very serious platform for gaming prowess. With the graphics and processors getting better and better, we will see more developers attracted to the platform, which would generally mean more dollars being pumped into development, which again in turn would mean even better gaming. I am expecting some stunning games to begin appearing in about 4-6 months time.
The iPad is going to be a major hub and player in the gaming market (despite its great presence as is). Apples claims of console quality games are not untrue, but rather they are predated. We shall see (with remarkable clarity I might add).
To sum up my feelings, I just returned my new iPad an hour ago.
I can see this being a great upgrade from original iPad or a new user. Going from iPad 2 to the new iPad is a big disappointment. Yes, the screen is much nicer, but some of these reviews would make you think that it's like reading a real book, looking at a real photograph, blah, blah. It's not. It's just a nice, sharp display.
Unfortunately the sacrifices that the new iPad makes to have this screen are a downgrade from iPad 2. It is heavier (and it is noticeable), gets pretty hot on left side, battery seems to take forever to charge, and just doesn't seem as fast . Not the "magical" experience that I have been expecting and definitely not worth spending the $300 or so that it would cost me. Apple really needs some serious competition for a change so they can start wowing us again, not doing these incremental upgrades.
I can see this being a great upgrade from original iPad or a new user. Going from iPad 2 to the new iPad is a big disappointment. Yes, the screen is much nicer, but some of these reviews would make you think that it's like reading a real book, looking at a real photograph, blah, blah. It's not. It's just a nice, sharp display.
Unfortunately the sacrifices that the new iPad makes to have this screen are a downgrade from iPad 2. It is heavier (and it is noticeable), gets pretty hot on left side, battery seems to take forever to charge, and just doesn't seem as fast . Not the "magical" experience that I have been expecting and definitely not worth spending the $300 or so that it would cost me. Apple really needs some serious competition for a change so they can start wowing us again, not doing these incremental upgrades.
I'm upgrading from iPad 1 so I'm getting much better speed in usage, much better screen, and lower weight. Definitely a nice upgrade for me. I would not suggest upgrading from iPad 2 unless you use your iPad all the time and you have some disposable cash. That sort of upgrade would be a real luxury purchase.
The screen is nice, but I'm not sure yet if I'm totally blown away. The iPad 2 screen is real nice. Maybe if my eyes were sharper, I'd notice more differences. LTE is nice speed, but wifi is fast and readily available as well. And if you had the AT&T iPad 2, you were probably getting some pretty fast 3G service already in most locations where you could get LTE now anyway.
So I'm a little torn on how significant an upgrade I consider it. For people who don't have an iPad, I think he answer is easy. This is the one you have been waiting for. So in that sense, this is a major upgrade.
The screen is nice, but I'm not sure yet if I'm totally blown away. The iPad 2 screen is real nice. Maybe if my eyes were sharper, I'd notice more differences. LTE is nice speed, but wifi is fast and readily available as well. And if you had the AT&T iPad 2, you were probably getting some pretty fast 3G service already in most locations where you could get LTE now anyway.
So I'm a little torn on how significant an upgrade I consider it. For people who don't have an iPad, I think he answer is easy. This is the one you have been waiting for. So in that sense, this is a major upgrade.
When you buy a product for its style as well as function then yes, I want to see a fresh design. Both 4S and new iPad are big disappointments in that department simply because they look exactly the same as the now-tired look of the prior models. Apple is famous for its designs for a reason - now how about a new one!
As far as what features I would like to see in a new iPad, how about:
1. Faster than iPad 2
2. As cool running as iPad 2
3. 128Gb version, and getting rid of 16Gb model in light of Retina app sizes
3. Redesigned iOS look and updated functionality
4. Full Siri
5. Stuff that I know Apple will never do: micro/full SD card slot, active digitizer for proper pen note taking
Finally, I would like Apple to bring back the wow factor. How about that tactile display rumor? Maybe a battery that lasts days?
Original iPad was revolutionary. It changed the industry, and changed the expectations of the consumer, even though it was far from perfect. The new iPad is just a minor bump, with a single halo feature designed to sell it - the screen.
I've owned the first, second and third now. The leap from 1 to 2 was big and goes way beyond the differences between the 2 and 3. If however, like me, you spend most of your time browsing the web whilst sat on the sofa then the retina display and the slightly more snappy system makes it an acceptable upgrade.
It's not mind blowingly different by any means but it solidly improves on important areas and obviously the screen is pretty amazing.
Negatives.. Well the weight gain is noticeable and the lack of significant changes to iOS is bothersome. It would seem now that since the hardware side of things seems to be levelling out somewhat that the real race is about software and what comes next on that front.
I imagine the increase in memory, graphics and such may give apple some room to expand iOS with a few widgets and clever things.
In summary, if youve owned one of these then don't save for ages to this. If youve got a few hundred handy then sure!
It's not mind blowingly different by any means but it solidly improves on important areas and obviously the screen is pretty amazing.
Negatives.. Well the weight gain is noticeable and the lack of significant changes to iOS is bothersome. It would seem now that since the hardware side of things seems to be levelling out somewhat that the real race is about software and what comes next on that front.
I imagine the increase in memory, graphics and such may give apple some room to expand iOS with a few widgets and clever things.
In summary, if youve owned one of these then don't save for ages to this. If youve got a few hundred handy then sure!
Coming from an original iPad, I think it's 1000% worth the upgrade. It's beautiful in every possible way.
I upgraded from an iPad one and this is definitely worth it. I love my iPad one but I love the dictation feature so I'm very happy with this upgrade. Also like most everybody else said the retina display is very nice and definitely an improvement over my generation one iPad.
With no offense, I think your case is too much expectation. With a device that gets refreshed every year, the difference in a year won't be THAT great. I had iPad 1, and I'm pleased with the all the things that's better about the new iPad.
I think every 2 to 3 year upgrade makes more sense in that way and financially too. I can't wait to see iPad 5 in a couple years!
So, if you had a perfect shape, you would want to change, just for the hell of it? Why change something for the sake of it?
All the changes to iPhones, iPod, iPads, etc. are of course going to involve faster processors, more RAM, more megapixels, more features in the OS, etc. They are always going to be incremental as they are happening annually.
You got your wish with 1, and 2 (in my experience).
3 - why get rid of 16Gb model? It's very popular and suits a lot of people's needs. I actually went from a 32Gb iPad 1 to a 64Gb iPad2 and then back to 32Gb for the 3rd Gen as I found that I wasn't using the space especially with iTunes Match putting my music in the Cloud. Have you seen the sizes of retina apps? The 1 or 2 games that I have seen updated for the retina display aren't any larger than the previous version. We'll have to wait and see on that.
Your 2nd 3 - iOS has gone through huge changes between v3 v4 and v5. You may not notice it so much because it is constantly evolving again in increments as Apple makes the latest software available to a lot of devices, not just exclusively to the latest.
4 - could happen
5 - won't happen.
With no offense, I think your case is too much expectation. With a device that gets refreshed every year, the difference in a year won't be THAT great. I had iPad 1, and I'm pleased with the all the things that's better about the new iPad.
I think every 2 to 3 year upgrade makes more sense in that way and financially too. I can't wait to see iPad 5 in a couple years!
No offense taken because I totally agree with you. I don't think the iPad is going to fall into the category of technology that you upgrade every year. It won't be quite like PCs that one might use for five years, but it isn't going to be like a phone either. I think I did it right with the iPad 1 to iPad 3 upgrade. But even that upgrade was because the iPad 1 was just too far ahead of its time. It was as good as they could make it at the time, but you knew they were going to make major improvements in the next few generations. Now since we are at retina screen at this point, it might be very hard for a meaningful upgrade to be made by next year. Apple might surprise us, but we all might find this iPad 3 something that works well enough that we don't upgrade it until we break it.
Thats exactly the way that I'm feeling. It seems like it would be very difficult to make a new....er (4th gen or later) iPad that offers a substantial enough hardware upgrade in the future where I would absolutely have to replace this iPad. I think storage may be the only limitation, but everything else I would probably need will come through software update.
HOWEVER, there is one feature that I think could be truly revolutionary that they may indeed be adding. Just recently, Apple purchased a company that is manufacturing a form of haptic feedback that is created by micro electric impulses through the screen itself as opposed to a small motor. What is being developed and supposedly working (at least in an alpha kind of format) is way way for this haptic feedback to provide textile feed back. Meaning rough surfaces will feel rough, smooth feels smooth, and a simulated "3-d space". What I mean is that objects may have a degree of depth by feel. What that means is that the keyboard would feel more like a real keyboard than tapping smooth glass. That would most certainly sell me on a new generation if they could pull it off. Well see......
Coming from the iPad 1, it is a very worthwhile upgrade. Especially since I enjoy HD movies on the device.
It is much more responsive than the iPad 1.
It is much more responsive than the iPad 1.
Depends on how big a deal the retina display is to you. For me its fairly huge. Small text is painful to read on iPad1/2. Looks awesome on iPad3. However, I'm not liking the higher weight and thickness vs. the iPad2. I didn't think I'd notice, but I do. I would have preferred it be thinner and lighter. But given the choice now, I couldn't imagine going back to an iPad2.
Not worth the upgrade in my opinion.
The ipad 2 was sleek whereas the new one can only be described as 'chunky'. The extra weight is noticeable and overall it just doesn't feel as comfortable to hold.
The screen looks marginally better but I prefer the slightly warmer look of the ipad 2. Text certainly looks better but that's about it. Photos look almost the same to me!
I don't use it for games and the camera is of little use so a bit of a waste of money.
The upgrade from the first ipad to the second was really good but this is very disappointing.
The ipad 2 was sleek whereas the new one can only be described as 'chunky'. The extra weight is noticeable and overall it just doesn't feel as comfortable to hold.
The screen looks marginally better but I prefer the slightly warmer look of the ipad 2. Text certainly looks better but that's about it. Photos look almost the same to me!
I don't use it for games and the camera is of little use so a bit of a waste of money.
The upgrade from the first ipad to the second was really good but this is very disappointing.
Hi Djay,
I am currently using an iPad 1 with a New iPad sitting next to me. My iPad 1 is still running strong but is beginning to lag when I need to open apps quickly in meetings. Is he switching between apps, like email and note taking that much faster?
Chunky!?! I'm sorry, but I defy anyone to notice that extra 0.03in thickness! And the 1.76oz extra weight? Please.
With 4 times the number of pixels, the screen should look a lot more than 'marginally' better to you.
Honestly people that have never seen one or the other could not compare. A person that says there is little difference needs a damn eye exam.
I had a iPad 2 just sold it today, but it was well worth the upgrade.
I get it though folks that don't have one need to feel good about staying with the older model.
I had a iPad 2 just sold it today, but it was well worth the upgrade.
I get it though folks that don't have one need to feel good about staying with the older model.
Yet it still looks and feels like its a decade old. I wonder how they pull that off.
I think the screen will make a big difference if like me, you do a lot of reading on the device.
I've got at least 30 books on Kindle, and I've always wished the screen was crisper. The biggest difference I think, would be PDF's. I'm forever zooming in and out of documents on my iPad 2 so I can read parts clearer, this just won't be an issue on the new iPad.
Should Apple's digital textbook effort take off, then students will be wanting this version of the iPad.
I've got at least 30 books on Kindle, and I've always wished the screen was crisper. The biggest difference I think, would be PDF's. I'm forever zooming in and out of documents on my iPad 2 so I can read parts clearer, this just won't be an issue on the new iPad.
Should Apple's digital textbook effort take off, then students will be wanting this version of the iPad.