iPad 2 review

Apple's iPad 2 launches today at 5pm EST. While technology launches rarely warrant such attention, the fact that customers have been queuing since Wednesday shows that Apple's latest gadget update is more than 'just another product launch'.

The original iPad sold nine million units in nine months and took the world's computer industry by storm. It quickly took a sizeable bite out of the then-burgeoning netbook (low powered laptop) market and is reckoned to now be taking a bite out of the laptop market too. Many rival companies have since rushed out competitors, frequently based upon Google's rival Android platform, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab, Telstra T-Pad, Viewsonic ViewPad and Motorola Xoom.
We got our hands on one at 9am this morning but the device has been on sale in America for a fortnight. As such we knew what to expect and validated our test points quickly. The key features and differences to the first generation model are:-

9.7-inch multi-touch screen (as before).

8.8mm thickness - making it one-third thinner than the first-generation model and thinner than an iPhone.

600g(ish) depending on model. This is around 80g lighter than its predecessor which might not sound much but is certainly noticeable. A gripe with the first generation model was that it was rather heavy to hold in one hand for extended periods. This is certainly better but will still feel heavy after extended use.