New iPad vs. iPad 2: How Apple's Old A New Tablets Compare (INFOGRAPHIC)

It's an iPad 3! It's an iPad HD! It's an...iPad? That's right folks, Apple decided that like Madonna or Cher, the new iPad "iPad" doesn't need a last name. It's just the iPad, so get used to it.

What's in a name, anyway? It's what's inside the iPad that counts, hopefully, since the outside of the new iPad looks pretty much the same as the now-discounted iPad 2.

So how do Apple's tablets stack up against one another? Is the newer, more expensive iPad worth the money even though it looks pretty much the as its predecessor? Or should you go for the cheaper iPad 2?

Check out our infographic (below), which pits the new iPad against its predecessor, and let us know in the comments which you're more likely to go for. (If you decide to trade up to the new model, check out our guide to trading in your old iPad for cash.)

LOOK:

[CORRECTION: A previous version of this infographic incorrectly identified the new iPad as having a quad-core CPU. However, the device is built around a dual-core processor with a quad-core GPU. We regret the confusion.]

Flip through the slideshow to view 11 things you need to know about the new iPad.

Loading Slideshow

• Show-Stopping Display

  The photo above shows the difference between the iPad 2's 1,024 x 768 pixel display and the new iPad's high-definition Retina display, which has double the resolution and four times the pixels (2,048 x 1,536 pixels). <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/features/retina-display.html" target="_hplink">Apple has described a Retina display as</a> "pixel density is so high your eye is unable to distinguish individual pixels." And how does it stack up to other tablet displays? <a href="http://twitter.com/ryan/statuses/177548523254988800" target="_hplink">GDGT's Ryan Block said</a> of his first hands-on with the new device: "It's the best display I've ever seen. Anywhere, period."

• 4G, A First For Apple

  Apple's March 7 event marked a first for Apple, the arrival of 4G LTE connectivity on a mobile device. Purchased with a two-year contract from either AT&T or Verizon, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/06/ipad-hd-apples-next-ipad-_n_1323535.html" target="_hplink">a 4G iPad</a> will, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204603004577267441821060940.html" target="_hplink">according to The Wall Street Journal,</a> "allow users to connect a[t] speeds roughly 10 times faster than current 3G data networks." 4G models will also "work on any 3G network," <a href="http://gigaom.com/apple/apple-ipad-event-live-blog/" target="_hplink">per GigaOm</a>. New iPad models equipped with this unique feature, however, will cost users slightly more than models without 4G. (More on this later.)

• Meatier Specs

  The new iPad may look pretty similar to the old one, but it's packing some serious hardware upgrades within its thin frame. <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/new-ipad-vs-ipad-2/" target="_hplink">These include a faster processor</a>, the "quad-core" 1GHz Apple A5X, which Apple claims to offer twice the processing power of the A5 CPU (found in the iPad2) and four times the graphics-rendering power of the Tegra 3 processor found in many Android tablets, <a href="http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/03/live-blog-apple-ipad3-event/ " target="_hplink">per Wired's live blog of the event</a>. <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5891158/new-ipad-hd-the-third-generation" target="_hplink">Gizmodo argues</a> that Apple has also probably upped the device's RAM, "if only to handle the new resolution."

• No Siri

  The new iPad did not get Apple standout iPhone 4S feature, the voice-activated virtual personal assistant, Siri. What it did get was Voice Dictation, which will be a blessing for anyone who has ever tried to type on the iPad's tricky virtual keyboard. To use the handy new feature, just tap the microphone icon on the keyboard and start talking. <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/03/07/ios-5-update-siri-speaks-japanese-voice-dictation-comes-to-new-ipad/" target="_hplink">Current languages supported by dictation</a> include U.S., U.K. and Australian English as well as Japanese, French and German.

• Familiar Look

  While the new iPad offers quite a bit more than the iPad 2 in terms of display, hardware, and connectivity, the outside remains almost identical to its predecessor, measuring 9.5 x 7.31 inches. As expected, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/27/ipad-3-iphone-5-charger-dock-apple-rumors_n_1304388.html" target="_hplink">the biggest difference between the updated Apple tablet and its predecessor is its thickness...</a>

• A Bit More Heft

  Compared to the .34 inch iPad 2, the new iPad measures .37 inches deep, <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/" target="_hplink">according to Apple's website</a>. In addition, the new iPad has .11 pounds on the iPad 2, weighing in at 1.44 lbs. The 4G version of the new iPad is even heavier, weighing in at a whopping 1.46 lbs.

• Upgraded Photo Tools

  <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/new-ipad-vs-ipad-2/" target="_hplink">The new iPad boasts 5-megapixel rear-facing iSight camera that shoots 1,080p HD video.</a> The iPad 2's rear camera was only .7-megapixels <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/" target="_hplink">and recorded video in a paltry 720p.</a> <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/03/07/iphoto-on-ipad/" target="_hplink">iPhoto</a>, Apple's photo-editing software, is now available for the iPad. The app can be used for editing, effects, beaming photos between devices and sending finished products to iCloud or social networking accounts. The app also lets users create photo journals, digital scrapbooks into which users can insert maps, notes and weather widgets. <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57392601-1/apple-launches-ipad-app-for-iphoto-updates-others/" target="_hplink">The new iPhoto app costs $4.99 and is available today. </a>

• Personal Hotspot

  The 4G version of the new iPad also comes with a feature called Personal Hotspot, which "can be used to share the fast network connection on your iPad with up to 5 other devices using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB," <a href="http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2012/03/07Apple-Launches-New-iPad.html" target="_hplink">according to an Apple press release</a>. Currently, this feature is available only for Verizon customers.

• Powerful Battery

  Even though the new features like Retina Display and 4G connectivity will be consuming a lot more juice, a larger, more powerful battery will keep the new tablet charged for the same amount of time as the previous model. Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, had the following to say about the battery during Apple's Wednesday event (<a href="http://live.gdgt.com/live-apple-ipad-3-event-coverage/" target="_hplink">per GDGT</a>): "You may recall we claim 10 hours of battery life, and 9 hours on 3G. The new iPad delivers the same 10 hours of battery life, and 4G is 9 hours."

• Price And Availability

  <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/" target="_hplink">The WiFi-only iPad starts at $499 for the 16GB then jumps to $599 for the 32GB and $699 for the 64GB.</a> The 4G version starts at $629 for 16GB and tops out at $829 for the 64GB version. The iPad is available for pre-order now <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/" target="_hplink">and will begin shipping on March 16. </a> [<strong>CORRECTION</strong>: An earlier version of this slideshow incorrectly listed the pricing of the WiFi-only iPad.]

• New Apps

  Along with Apple's announcement of the new iPad came a league of updated apps that will put the device's Retina Display to good use. According to Engadget, <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/apple-ipad-3-liveblog/" target="_hplink">all of the stock apps have been updated,</a> optimized, and scaled up so text will automatically be rendered in high resolution. In addition to uniform updates, several native Apple apps also received new features. <a href="http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2012/03/07Apple-Completes-iLife-for-iOS-With-Introduction-of-iPhoto-Major-Updates-to-iMovie-GarageBand.html" target="_hplink">Garage Band, for example, will now allow you to save creations to and easily share them through iCloud.</a> Also, <a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/165730/2012/03/apple_updates_imovie_garageband_iwork_for_ios.html" target="_hplink">according to MacWorld,</a> users will now be able to add an automatic string orchestra to their creations through the Smart Strings feature and fine-tune their recordings with Garage Band's Note Editor. Apple's updated iMovie app will feature more advanced editing tools and will enable sharing of videos in 1080p resolution to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and Apple TV, <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/7/2851783/apple-imovie-update/in/2615987" target="_hplink">The Verge reported.</a> The new iMovie will also let users cut trailers while recording video, take advantage of nine different genre templates, and incorporate custom soundtracks from famous composers. In addition to its own apps, Apple also introduced a new generation of apps made specifically with the new iPad's higher resolution and enhanced hardware capabilities in mind. According to Engadget, these apps <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/apple-reveals-next-generation-apps-for-the-new-ipad-infinity-bl/" target="_hplink">came courtesy of third-party developers </a> like game-maker Namco, which previewed its jet combat simulator SkyGamblers, and Epic Games, the developer behind popular role-playing sword-fighting game Infinity Blade and creator of the new Retina display-optimized Infinity Blade: Dungeons. In addition, 3-D design software manufacturer Autodesk showed off its Sketchbook app, which allows for a whole new level of sketch detail thanks to the new iPad's improved display.

• ALSO ON THE HUFFINGTON POST

Comments

[qiwl0ei0vv3l]

10:05 PM on 03/12/2012

STUPID STUPID STUPID.

The hard drive sizes are absurd. Apple was attempting to push buyers into paying ridiculous amounts into their iCloud remote hard drive space. Guess what Apple? With the new display feature, it will require an enormous amount more of hard drive space to view images. Apps take up a lot of space. 1080 HD video takes up tons of space. Your pathetic 16GB to 64GB of space will be gone in an instant. Taking photos and video with the iPad will use up everything in a matter of a couple of hours. What a freaking joke.

[MojoWorking]

03:09 AM on 03/11/2012

Have they determined how many Foxconn workers need to die before the new iPad can be released?

I'm surprised Las Vegas isn't listing the spread for betting .....

[Satur9]

06:58 PM on 03/10/2012

Doesn't seem like much of an improvement. Heavier, I am fine with the ipad 2 resolution (my photographs look great on it anyway), and I personally don't want to look crazy talking to my ipad instead of typing.

[blizzard man robot voice]

06:52 PM on 03/09/2012

If you want an unbiased iPad2 vs. iPad 3 review go to CNET.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57393664-37/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-third-generation-ipad-faq/?tag=TOCcarouselMain.0

[Neitherpartieslapdog]

09:30 AM on 03/10/2012

Good info. for everyone. I verify EVERYTHING I read ,a few times, on the internet before repeating it to anyone. Opinion is easy to find, factual and unbiased info. takes a little more work.

[Satur9]

06:56 PM on 03/10/2012

Hm. They say a verizon spokesperson said they'd waive the activation fee if you paid with a card and prepaid for the service. At least with my ipad 2, that was not the case. I tried to activate the 3G and they didn't waive the fee, so I just decided against it. Probably should have went with the wifi only version.

[parlimentMike]

04:55 PM on 03/09/2012

Nice Ad.

[RunNewtRun]

04:53 PM on 03/09/2012

Is the copy editor on strike today?

Current title: "How Apple's Old A New Tablets Compare"

In current 3d Paragraph: "Is the newer, more expensive iPad worth the money even though it looks pretty much the as its predecessor?"

[bigkendallas]

04:26 PM on 03/09/2012

I have a 1st gen iPad, and so far, I havent seem anything thats going to make me want the new one....here's why:

1. 4G only matters if you have subscribed to the 4g plan. Most ipad users find a wifi hotspots. Also, someone like me can use my phone as a mobile hotspot, so this isn't a selling point.

2. Still selling these things with just 16, 32, and 64 gigabytes ?...really ? They are touting the HD aspect - lets not forget this means larger video file sizes.
It is technically possible to make an ipad with 150gb (by making it 1/8 inch thicker) , why not simply make one ?

3. Nothing "new".
Higher resolution screen is good, a new quadcore processor is cool, but since most people use their device as a media player/photo viewer/web browser/reader..... I see little need for a quadcore processor. The display is only 9.7 inches...only so much HD will do for a screen that size.

4. I doubt people are seriously expecting to use this as a practical video recorder, and I have a great 12mp camera that i got on sale 1 year ago for $69.

If you are getting your first tablet - go for it.

If you already have a previous version, no hurry - its only slightly better than the one you have.
Not sure if its $600 of an improvement over what I already have.

[Neitherpartieslapdog]

09:31 AM on 03/10/2012

Smart shopper you are. You will probably be able to actually retire one day.

[JoeLosFeliz]

04:16 PM on 03/09/2012

Is this an apple ad? Is it a story? What am I reading?

[tnlcallen]

04:34 PM on 03/09/2012

I am a huge fan of Apple products, but you have hit on something very interesting here. The articles here are usually nothing more than advertisements for the product. They also seem to always have a story about Apple products. I wonder if Apple has some advertising relationship with HP. It is unethical if they are pushing advertisements as legitimate stories.

[miamorphos]

06:18 PM on 03/11/2012

I am a total non-Apple person, and I have an alternate explanation. Companies send out press releases, and journalists type them up. It's a common way that stories are fed to the press by corporations. In the tech world, a company's announcements are often treated like "news," and the line between advertising and publicity and journalism gets blurred a lot.

[sophie M]

04:00 PM on 03/09/2012

just wait a few more months.we will have I Pad 9.

[Barbarian At The Gate]

03:33 PM on 03/09/2012

"The New iPad" processor is misleading. The A5X is a dual core 1 ghz processor with quad core graphics.

[Mroptimistic]

03:21 PM on 03/09/2012

Another commercial?
Bye.

[elicourey]

08:26 PM on 03/09/2012

Another pointless comment?
Bye.

[NukeDaFridge]

02:40 PM on 03/09/2012

Decided to get this one, having never owned a tablet before and I have to say I can't wait. Apple's products may not have the most advanced hardware, but their abundance of software and inter-connectivity easily makes their products superior in my book.

[DefineReality]

03:04 PM on 03/09/2012

Android and Apple are about equal when it comes to software (I'm assuming you're referring to apps) and inter-connectivity. Many of the new features Apple is now implementing other mobile platforms have had for a couple years already.

It boils down to which you like the look and feel of more.

[tnlcallen]

04:44 PM on 03/09/2012

I just googled it, and I'm sure the numbers are changing daily, but for Apple there are 320K apps for mobile platforms, and for Android there are 70K apps. One of the benefits that the Ipad has is that it is the #1 tablet on the market which makes developing applications for it more lucrative. Since all of the tablets are comparably priced, it would only make sense to buy an Ipad.

[Ron Wharton]

12:06 AM on 03/10/2012

Incorrect, Apple has an incredible amount of apps over the android device. Plus, they are better apps on the ipad over the android. And what other platformis using the incredible display of the ipad 3???

[tnlcallen]

04:38 PM on 03/09/2012

You can't go wrong with an Ipad. I have owned both models so far, and I am buying one of these new ones. I'm sure that other tablet makers have some great models too, but you won't regret getting the Ipad for a second.

[Satur9]

06:59 PM on 03/10/2012

The only reason I do is data transfer is a pain in the a$s, as it is with any apple product.

[Harvey Lubin]

02:35 PM on 03/09/2012

Apple's tablet competitors (Samsung for one) have already started putting out charts comparing their tablet's hardware specifications to the 3rd generation iPad.

Charts comparing hardware specs are useful, but they don't really tell you anything about the user experience... which is really what consumers are interested in.

The iPad is more than just its hardware. It is also the operating system, the apps, the build quality, the related services, and everything else that makes up the user experience.

Just comparing the iPad and its competitors based on hardware specs alone is the same as comparing a garbage truck to a Ferrari, based on hardware specs alone.

The garbage truck's engine is a much bigger capacity, and produces much more horsepower than the engine in the Ferrari. Yet, the Ferrari is faster and much more fun to drive. It's the better user experience that makes the Ferrari the choice of vehicles most people would opt for.

[DefineReality]

03:10 PM on 03/09/2012

That's a horrible comparison. I would say more like Lamborghini vs Ferrari. Both are really fast and really fun to drive but different types of people prefer different types of cars. If I were to make the same comparison you did, the iPhad would be the garbage truck and the Asus Prime would be the Ferrari.

The garbage truck comes in one size / shape and you can't do anything with it other than what the truck company says you can.

On the other hand, the Ferrari is completely customizable and you can make it look, drive and feel any way you want to and you don't have to get Ferrari's permission to install aftermarket parts.

[Barbarian At The Gate]

03:36 PM on 03/09/2012

Apple's flexibility reminds me of Henry Ford when he said, "You can have color you want so long as it's black".

[Yank in France]

02:23 PM on 03/09/2012

OK, guys and gals, I am the guilty party here.

"Guilty" of what, you ask?

Yes, I am the one who told posters to write a minimum 95% idiotic comments that have nothing to do with what most readers care about, like the silly guy who talked about $1,000 iPad price or the woman who said no one cares about the iPads anyway (and she is here, why?).

I, Yank in France, put them ALL up to this shenanigan, not because I am big mean weeny (I am that too!) but because I thought it would be good therapy for them. At least, it will keep what's left of their minds from worrying about their runny nose!

[Satur9]

07:01 PM on 03/10/2012

I'm sorry, what? Is this stream of consciousness?

[Yank in France]

01:57 AM on 03/11/2012

Thank you for playing the straight man to my message… -:)

[MiddleWestern]

02:17 PM on 03/09/2012

I have and iPhone and iPad 2 and love both products. However, the problem is that I really believe Apple is failing to innovate. They have fantastic marketing and have a great customer experience (packaging, look, feel, etc.). But with that they've kicked their competitors into high gear. I was disappointed that my iPhone 4S doesn't have 4G. After owning an iPad 2, I would not buy another unless Apple introduced something more innovative. The iPad 2 is fine, but I don't use it as much as I thought I would and my kindle fire does the exact same tasks for only $200. Don't even get me started on Siri. It'd innovative, but anyone with an iPhone 4S knows that it's worthless and never used. Not sure what the point I'm trying to make is...other than I love Apple products but find myself jealously looking at other technology that is more advanced and is starting to look just as pretty.

[Adolfo Ceballos]

03:31 PM on 03/09/2012

Innovative huh? You do realize that the screen resolution is way better than a HDTV almost blu ray quality in a 9.7 screen, no mobile device comes even close to this.... Second it posses all of the bands for wireless, again no other device has this. I have a ASUS Transformer tablet really really like it, has amazing features and hardware, I'm a software engineer and after comparing specs for IPAD 2, new IPAD and ASUS Transformer, nobody is going to come even close to this thing. I can agree on some of your points in innovation but the innovation comes from the user on how they want to use it, Apple is giving you the tool for how you want to use it, like you say are apple products over prized yes they are and what they need to do is be more flexible with consumer more variety, like the IPOD.

Good post either way.