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Was it worth the upgrade/purchase? Sound off...

Going from the iPad 2 16 gb to iPad 3 would have cost me $180, and that would have been worth it. Not a "everyone who has one must do it" steal but a nice solid upgrade price that Im happy with.

The charge time is the only drawback that gives me pause but it shouldn't be tough to adjust to that.

Little bitter about paying the ridiculous $100 for 16 gigs of memory since I felt Id probably need 32 this time, which I know has already been discussed.

Overall probably not my most economical use of $285 but hey, its a really nice device that I use hours every day. So still happy.
 
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another iPad 1 upgrade here

Huge improvement over the iPad1. Perhaps I should have went with the iPad 2 earlier. It is WAY faster. Simply going thru email and deleting notes goes faster, and, more important, is more stable. I used to select a set of email to delete only to have the program crash. No crashes on Safari either. Another surprise--I am on a DSL line, so my home WiFi is pretty slow. I just checked my Att 4g and got 7 download and 2 upload! Nice that I was grandfathered into unlimited . . .
 
OTACORB said:
I get it though folks that don't have one need to feel good about staying with the older model.
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One might say that you're just trying to justify your purchase of a device that provided a marginal imrpovement at best.

I'm not saying that, of course. Just making n observation.
 
this is definitely worth the upgrade. i had the iPad 1 and now i have the 'new' iPad and it is way better. i gave the first gen to my mother and she loves it. i did a speed test and i was dying laughing at how slow the first gen was compared to the new one. i couldn't even wait for the app store to load on the first gen because it took so slow. very happy with the upgrade.
 
Totally worth it

The only thing I wasn't sure about was sticking with the 32GB, so today I went and exchanged my perfect 32GB (no yellowing, no bleeding, no dead pixels) for the 64GB, which also has no yellowing, no bleeding and no dead pixels. I am completely happy now!
 
Well, to put it in context I made the wrong choice and purchased the 16gb iPad 2. I waited for the 3 because I needed more storage and might as well upgrade. Buying a 32gb iPad 2 would have pleased me, so I'm starting on a foundation of "I can't be disappointed."

With that said, the screen, dictation, and camera are the most attractive upgrades to me. I loved my iPad 2 and I'm fine with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy, so an identical design and function is alright with me. The screen is beautiful. The dictation is not to be ignored, it's incredible. The camera is not even worth comparing with the trash that the iPad 2 was sporting. It takes incredible photos and video for the device that sits between my iPhone 4 and my DSLR. I'm incredibly happy with my purchase.
 
GrindedDown said:
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......
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Yeah, I read the same or similar article on that purchase. That would probably be worth upgrading for. But it must be some sort of freaky technology as it must be some sort of electric charge being shot at your finger to create the sensation, the glass doesn't actually change shape. But you have to think that anything like that is still years away if it will ever be possible.

I think this is going to be hard to beat. I think Apple will come out with a smaller tablet, maybe in the summer. A low cost 7" tablet with the same pixel density as current iPad 2 would provide for a nice sharp screen and a convenient carry-able format.
 
I owned an iPad 2 but, as a heavy user of the device and a lifelong tech enthusiast, I simply could not pass up the opportunity to own the best display ever made. Every minute I spend with the iPad 3 reminds me of how good a decision this was.
 
GrindedDown said:
I have to completely agree. I actually have a sneaking suspicion that a month or two for now, this could become quite big news as many that purchased the 16gb version are beginning to find that the storage space is completely inadequate as more and more apps become available with Regina graphics.

Needless to say, I would be absolutely shocked if the next versio of the iPad came with a 16gb flavor at all. 32, 64, 128gb will almost certainly be standard by then.

Interesting side not question: will increased sizes postively affect people's perception on the iPad as a full computing solution? (16gb is seen as "a peripheral's memory and 64gb and up usually coincides with full sized computers).
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So far 16 is doable fora my uses I mainly use my iPad as a surfing machine and movie player at the gym. I am constantly swapping out tv shows as I finish watching them. The only problem is when I get a back log of shows... But they are backed up on my iMac so I can easily delete them and put them back as needed.
 
This is an upgrade for me from the iPad 1, so it is definitely worth it! Unbelievable LTE speeds, great screen, faster processor. Win.
 
polbit said:
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.
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I returned my iPad as well. For me,

Reason 1), it was the speakers on the rear of the pad that was a disappointment. Wish Apple would put stereo speakers facing the user either on the vertical sides or horizontal. My hearing is not that good and having them facing me would have been an improvement. Some Youtube sites sounded OK, but others were very low and I had to move the iPad closer to my ears to hear better. Not good for me. Your ears are probably better.

Reason 2) The rear camera that one uses for video chat with a family member was low grade, and would use this more than the front facing camera that I would not use since, I and most of use have camera phones.

Reason 3) Got some stoppage from using the iPad for watching my BrightHouse cable TV using their apps. Unknown if it was there end or the tablet itself.

Using it outside, it might be worth it, but I got the WiFi only and wish if I did want to keep it, I should have purchased the 4G instead. In house, I still prefer a larger monitor and nice keyboard

Long battery charge was not an issue, but for some I can see why.

Warm after prolonged use, but not too bad.
 
MrXiro said:
So far 16 is doable fora my uses I mainly use my iPad as a surfing machine and movie player at the gym. I am constantly swapping out tv shows as I finish watching them. The only problem is when I get a back log of shows... But they are backed up on my iMac so I can easily delete them and put them back as needed.
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You know you bring up a good point. My perspective is probably very skewed right now because I recently sold my laptop and am now using the iPad as my sole computer. For a user like me, storage space is obviously going to be a pretty big issue. However, I still think that space may become constrained for most users of the 16gb. 1080p video, much much higher resolution images, more advanced games are all going to take up more space.

Maybe 16 will stick around for another generation. What do you think? Will there be a 16gb "newer iPad" (4th gen)?
 
ZombiePete said:
One might say that you're just trying to justify your purchase of a device that provided a marginal imrpovement at best.

I'm not saying that, of course. Just making n observation.
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Best screen ever is far from a marginal approvement.
 
GrindedDown said:
You know you bring up a good point. My perspective is probably very skewed right now because I recently sold my laptop and am now using the iPad as my sole computer. For a user like me, storage space is obviously going to be a pretty big issue. However, I still think that space may become constrained for most users of the 16gb. 1080p video, much much higher resolution images, more advanced games are all going to take up more space.

Maybe 16 will stick around for another generation. What do you think? Will there be a 16gb "newer iPad" (4th gen)?
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I think if it does stick around it'll be on a lower entry level priced model. 32gb should be standard on the next one. But 16 is still doable for now as a transition model. I'm also one to upgrade yearly so going for the bare minimum is the way to go.
 
I assume the Speedtest.net app on iPad can be trusted. If so, I *do* consistently get 23Mbps down / 14Mbps up here at the house in San Diego with 2 bars. The best I have seen is 30Mbps / 30Mbps while riding shotgun yesterday at 60MPH mobile.

That is better than the best broadband I can get at the house... Time Warner's pathetic 20/2Mbps cable.

Roger

Tsuchiya said:
:eek: that is bloody amazing for a mobile device. That's almost as good as the average speed I get on my home fibre-optic connection.

Is that upload speed accurate?

I want 4G over here :(
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I upgraded from an iPad 1, this is a massive upgrade as far as I'm concerned, worth every penny. The screen is just incredible, in apps which have yet to be upgraded to retina quality look awful in comparison.
 
The best download speed I've seen on the LTE iPad3 via the SpeedTest.net app is 52Mbps, which is a bit hard to believe. But the iPad3 LTE is killer fast compared to the iPad2 for email, box.net, etc.

iPad3-52Mbps.jpg
 
Ok, this is sad, but if I can't admit it here, where else can I... I returned my new iPad thinking I can just go back to using the iPad 2. Well, that new damn screen is just too good. After struggling to adjust back to the 1024x768 fuzziness, I gave up and bought the new iPad again... My new one seems to run cooler, and the screen has definitely less yellow tint, so that's a bonus too.

Anyway, just a word of caution - if you don't want to upgrade, don't ever look at the new screen for too long...
 
ZombiePete said:
One might say that you're just trying to justify your purchase of a device that provided a marginal imrpovement at best.

I'm not saying that, of course. Just making n observation.
Click to expand...

One can say the moon is square, but that doesn't make it square now does it?

I don't need to justify anything, but by the same token one could say many are trying to justify not upgrading, but saying this version is marginal at best. Anyone looking at the display and having spent some time with it and noticing how much smoother and faster it is knows they made the right decision.
 
It seems like the "New iPad" is a big upgrade if any of the following are true:

1) You don't own an iPad.
2) You own an iPad 1.
3) You want LTE.

In my situation, I have a WiFi iPad 2 (16 GB) and purchased a WiFi iPad 3 (64 GB) and I'm disappointed.

For me, and many of iPad 2 owners, the retina display is the only meaningful upgrade. (ie. I have no need for the camera since I have an iPhone 4S and dSLR, etc, and I don't need LTE)

The retina display is definitely better no questions asked, but the iPad 3 DOES have disadvantages:

1) Heavier (yes, it's noticeable)
2) Thicker (I can't notice it)
3) Warmer (very noticeable, and worries me having it on my lap)
4) Expensive

I can absolutely tell the difference in the screens in the iPad 2 and 3 when it comes to text, but with photos and videos it's much more difficult.

Personally, I'll continue using it for a while and then decide if I want to keep the new one or not but we'll see...
 
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