iPad2 or iPad3?

[zerocrossing]

I think a good rule of thumb is that in any electronic device, if you're doing intense kinds of processing always get the best you can afford. If you can afford the 3, go for it, but if you can't don't feel too bad. My friend makes great use of her v2 iPad for interesting music apps.

My issue is I just can't quite figure out what I'd do with an iPad. Doesn't stop me from wanting one though. So cute.

[penguinfromdeep]

ipad3

[IncarnateX]

Already answered that in above post. Re read OP again. Heres a clue "Anything else to think about?"

Well, here is a clue for you:

Yes, I want / need a tablet

Is that explicit enough for you or does it also translate into a laptop vs. tablet question in your mind?

Besides from that your people-do-not-about-laptops-so-therefore-the-world-need-my-advice approach to your favorite topic is pretty conceited and infantile. Deep down inside you must know that, so what keeps you going with this shit? We have heard you and don't give a f.u.c.k, so there is nothing to gain.

[debra1rlo]

iPad4 - Revenge of the Jobs





sorry... too soon?

[fergusonbbb]

When I want to use Catanya it doesn't work.
I load Catanya, when I load Presence and in it a piano sound.
I route Presence to Catanya and Catanya with one of the presets to the
keyboard.
Normally that worked.
When I do it in Sonar it is fine,
In Studio one 2 there is no sound.
I found Jonny's youtube tutorial and I do it the same way.
I'm sure it once worked when I bought Catanya and tried Kirnu arpeggiator.

Studio one 2.05

[Keebo]

I have been contemplating the same dilemma for the last couple of weeks or so. I bought my first touch device last December in a 32 GB iPod Touch 4G. I have really enjoyed the experience but there are some apps that are hard to see/use fully with the small display (with old eyes like mine).

I picked up a WIFI only 64GB iPad 3 last night for the larger display, extra storage capacity, and extra RAM. I was used to the Retina display of the iPod so the new iPad would fit my bill quite well. I have only used a iPad 2 for about five minutes the other day so I can't personally compare the two. I was hesitant after reading the reports some were experiencing with WIFI, battery charging, higher heat levels, etc. I will return it within 30 days if those circumstances cause me grief.

My first impressions are nothing but positive so far. I spent most of the night setting it up and loading nearly all of my iPod apps, some iPad only apps, a few photos and videos, and 17GB of music. I still need to load music app project files and samples but right now I still have 34 GBs available.

I am glad that I spent the extra $100 for the new iPad. You may or may not feel the same.

*EDIT*

As far as the question regarding the looks of older apps on the higher resolution, the ones that I have tried look simply marvelous. Even the iPod only versions when zoomed out. I have read where some apps may look a little fuzzy but that is not the case with the apps that I own.

[Nig]

I think go with the 3. Having the dedicated graphics processed frees up the CPU for all other duties which is a major benifet. I have the iPad 1 and it does struggle at times, even safari crashes quite a bit. Newer apps are going to demand more and more processing power so although the 2 will probably be fine right now in 6 to 12 months it may have a harder time running more intense apps.

And that screen is beautiful, not gonna make a difference for music apps I know but it is pleasing on the eyes. You are probably going to be using the iPad all the time too once you realise how convenient it is for general Internet duties.

I was gonna wait for the 4 but think I'll go with the 3 in the next few weeks.

[IncarnateX]

Better performance for just about the same money or a tiny bit more is always preferable. I can only think of two reasons not to choose iPad3: 1) If you already own an iPad2 and is thinking about whether it is worth upgrading, 2) If you are looking as much forward as me to lay hands on this one:

http://www.akaiprompc.com/mpc-fly

The iPad3 is thicker and will not fit this case AFAIK and that is why i think my iPad 2 will stay with me for a long time to come.

Cheers

[Breeze]

I think go with the 3. Having the dedicated graphics processed frees up the CPU for all other duties which is a major benifet. I have the iPad 1 and it does struggle at times, even safari crashes quite a bit. Newer apps are going to demand more and more processing power so although the 2 will probably be fine right now in 6 to 12 months it may have a harder time running more intense apps.

And that screen is beautiful, not gonna make a difference for music apps I know but it is pleasing on the eyes. You are probably going to be using the iPad all the time too once you realise how convenient it is for general Internet duties.

I was gonna wait for the 4 but think I'll go with the 3 in the next few weeks.

I just got myself a refurbished 64MB Wifi only iPad 2 from Apple with a new battery and a full year's warranty for $170 less than the equivalent iPad 3 and this is why:

1. The dedicated graphics processing isn't there to free the CPU: it's there to compensate for the higher resolution of the new screen. CPU cycles available to apps is exactly the same in both models. Any app for the iPad3 will work for the iPad 2 unless it's bigger than 512megs, which is the RAM capacity of the iPad 2; However I have a hard time seeing devs cutting themselves off from the iPad 2 revenue stream for a few megabytes.

2. Apart from the screen, the extra graphics processing, the new camera, the 1GB of RAM and LTE networking, the iPad 2 is practically identical to the iPad3. The iPad 1 is completely different and any comparisons in that direction are irrelevant.

3. The iPad 2 screen is totally functional. I don't do art or picture editing on my iPad (in fact the 3 even struggles with the new iPhoto app). I also don't play games. I don't see why people buy the propaganda that the iPad 3 finally makes it "possible" to read a book: it's perfectly fine on the iPad 2. All my apps look fine on the 2; I really have no complaints.

4. By the time the iPad v4 comes around in a year, it will likely have some real improvements in the processing department. That will make it worthwhile to upgrade, and the $170 I saved will be better spent then.

5. The WiFi problem was a real concern to me, but now it appears it'll be fixed with an update. That was a consideration for me when I was shopping. I have 0 networking problems with the 2, but the 3 is still waiting for a fix...

6. The iPad 3 is slightly bigger and heavier because of the bigger battery. It takes 6 hours to fully charge the 3, but only 4 hours to charge the 2. The 2 also stays powered slightly longer in real world tests. You can see these stats on Anandtech's review. You should read the whole article. They're actually very much in favor of the 3 despite this but mainly because they're so impressed by the graphics.

7. The iPad 3 also runs hotter mainly because of the new screen. This is mitigated if you use a case for it, but heat is always the enemy of close clustered electronics (my MBP's logic board had to be replaced because of it). I prefer and feel safer running cooler.

In the end it comes down to your own personal needs. You have to decide what's important for you. I made my decision based on what was important to me and that led me to the iPad2.

Hey, that's a poem!

[zouki]

Thanks all, really good answers!

I have to sort this out now!

I'll tell you soon (?), my choice

Thanks again.

Zouki

[Derek Buddemeyer]

iPad 3 for the processing power alone... 1 and 2 will eventually be phased out.

[Breeze]

iPad 3 for the processing power alone... 1 and 2 will eventually be phased out.

This is misinformation. Please read the Geekbench 2 scores on the Anandtech page here (half way down) and read the paragraph underneath. There is no raw CPU advantage running apps in the iPad 3 vs the iPad 2. All the new CPU is all graphic core and is strictly for the Retina display.

However, it is true that the iPad 2 will eventually be phased out. It's also true that the iPad 3 will be eventually phased out as well.

[polaris20]

I would definitely go for the 3, but not because music creation is better on it than the 2. It's just that with so many other things you'll likely do on it, it is better. And for the difference in price, I'd say it's worth the extra money.

[penguinfromdeep]

ipad3!

[Derek Buddemeyer]

iPad 3 for the processing power alone... 1 and 2 will eventually be phased out.

This is misinformation. Please read the Geekbench 2 scores on the Anandtech page here (half way down) and read the paragraph underneath. There is no raw CPU advantage running apps in the iPad 3 vs the iPad 2. All the new CPU is all graphic core and is strictly for the Retina display.

However, it is true that the iPad 2 will eventually be phased out. It's also true that the iPad 3 will be eventually phased out as well.

True....I should have specified accelerated graphics...not CPU. But it does SEEM faster....may all be in my head. Lol