iPad 2 day wrap-up, compared with its older brother

OK, in case you don’t live under a rock, you probably know already that Apple launched with much fanfare their next generation of tablets, iPad 2. While it is obviously an evolution of the original iPad rather than a revolution, the new iPad 2 brings up pretty much everything you would expect in a modern tablet: Dual core processor, speed, and this time it is fast enough to play every codec available up to 1080p, front / back camera for video-conference, all neatly packaged in a super thin 8.8mm device.

The problem? Well, it is exactly as I said: The new iPad 2 brings up pretty much everything you would expect in a modern tablet. That means nothing that Samsung tablets, Motorola Xoom or any one from the many decent tablets to be released this year won’t have. Suddenly, Apple sees itself in the situation of a follower, not a leader. Is this happening every time when you get too big or too comfortable with your market position ? Perhaps, and now Apple will be accused of everything Microsoft was being accused in the last decade…you know, I won’t steal your time with a list.

Don’t get me wrong, iPad 2 is a beautifully executed tablet, a nice design in a very slim package. Apple will sell millions again because of its name. The problem is…Nowadays most of the good tablets are priced the same, spec-ed the same and pretty much perform the same functions. I just think is too early to think about them as a commodity, the way PCs are.

I will present a list however (courtesy of Engadget plus some additions), with the differences between iPad and iPad 2. In my opinion, the biggest omission is the lack of  a memory expansion slot. This way, you’ll get the big news today in a quick package. Oh, and I almost forgot. The prices are the same and the ordering will start March 11th online and same day at 5:00PM in the Apple stores. If I would have to recommend a model, I would recommend the cheapest 16GB sans 3G one. The other ones are overpriced anyway