Apple iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G 16GB

Apple iPad 2: Tablet Is Thinner, Lighter, Faster to Use

Apple iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G 16GB Review, by Melissa J. Perenson March 9, 2011

The Apple iPad 2 is neither a revolution nor a revelation. Rather, it's an evolutionary bump over its predecessor, which is enough for iPad 2 to be competitive with, and stay ahead of, its tablet competition, even if only by a hair. While the iPad 2 still leaves much room for improvement, it delivers a largely satisfying tablet experience at an appealing price (in 18 variants, starting at $499 for a 16GB, Wi-Fi-only version).

 The iPad 2's industrial design follows the model established with the first-generation iPad and with the iPhone 4: The 9.7-inch display dominates the device, with a home button on front, a volume rocker and slider switch on the side (now usable as either a mute button or rotation lock, your choice), and a power button up top. The back and sides continue to be anodized aluminum--a design trait that enables Apple's new Smart Cover (in 12 colors and two materials; prices start at $39.95) to attach on the underside using magnets, and to flip over the display to "smartly" lock and unlock the screen. Nifty. Regrettably, the aluminum back is highly prone to scratches--so if you don't put some sort of protective sheath over the back, you're bound to end up with scratches just from putting it on a surface.
Compared with the original, the iPad 2 is physically streamlined: At 0.34 inch deep, it's thinner than the original's 0.5 inch, and its chassis is now surround by tapered edges, which make it easier to hold. The tablet weighs 1.33 pounds (Wi-Fi version; the AT&T and Verizon models weigh 0.01 and 0.02 pounds heavier, respectively, to accommodate the 3G radio). The 12 percent to 17 percent weight reduction as compared to the original iPad--which weighed 0.17 and 0.26 pounds more for the Wi-Fi and AT&T 3G varietals--truly does make a difference, particularly when holding the tablet in one hand. And you will use any tablet one-handed: Anytime you don't use the tablet when resting on a surface, you'll at some point have to hold it one hand while you use the other hand to navigate the screen. While the change in weight isn't enough for me to say I'd hold the iPad in one hand for reading a book for an hour, I found it did make the one-handed general operation much more pleasant and viable. And I found the difference in weight very obvious compared with the Motorola Xoom, an Android 3.0 tablet that weighs 1.6 pounds.
This model's tapered edges provide a single unibody-style design, leading to a flat back (the first-gen iPad had a slightly curved back that left it wobbly on a surface). The buttons are now located along this curve, as is the dock connector. Though I had no issues with the button placement, the curve repeatedly made it challenging for me to properly align and insert the cable into the port.
The tapered edges also required moving the speaker. Previously, it was located flush on the bottom bezel, facing downward. Now, it's along the taper, running about half an inch up to the back. The new location gives you a chance of getting audio even if you rest the tablet directly with the bottom edge on your lap (before, audio would be muffled in this position). But now, audio can be muffled if you lay the tablet flat on its back and expect to hear output from the speaker. The speaker still sounds tinny and barely passable, but it's there if you need it. For better audio, flip that Smart Cover around to the back; the audio will reflect off the cover, amplifying the sound.
Like its predecessor, you won't find any ports, slots, or connectors (beyond the 30-pin dock connector and the headphone jack). Video-out is handled via a bulky but effective dock connector to HDMI cable.

Source: www.pcworld.com/article