New iPad?

Since I am in the IT industry, people assume I know everything about every consumer electronics device (!), and a number of people have asked me what I think about the new iPad, and if I would be buying one.  Rather than explain my thoughts three times, I'll put my answers here.

First, you Apple lover people that have to have every single Apple gadget the day it comes out - you don't need to ask me, because you're going to buy it anyway.  I know you're looking for justification (i.e. "rationalize your decision" vs. "Make a rational decision"), but you can find someone else to cheer you on.

Mainly, I think the decision of whether to buy the new iPad depends on:

• Whether you have an older one or not (and which one)
• What you plan to use it for

If you don't have an iPad, and you want a tablet, then perhaps buying the new iPad is a reasonable option.  Bear in mind, though, that you could get a 1st or 2nd generation iPad with more memory cheaper now.

If you have an older iPad, the decision becomes tougher, because newer is not necessarily better.

For example, I have a 3G model 1st generation iPad with 64GB.  

• I got the 3G model not for the 3G data connection (which I can provide the iPad from WiFi anywhere I go anyway), but for the GPS feature.
• In my line of work, I ride on the plane and bullet train often sometimes.  I purchased the 64GB version because I can load up a lot of TV shows, music videos, and movies to watch on the go.

Obviously, for either of the above, the 2G or "new" iPad wouldn't be much better.  Specifically, unless I get the (more expensive) 64GB 3G model, they would be worse for my purposes.  Flash memory is expensive, and Apple solders it in, so you can't simply transfer it like an SD card.  

So, I've already gone over two use scenarios:

• GPS / Navigation use
• Movies / Media use

Let's go over some more

• Light web browsing/mail use
• Taking Photos/Movies
• Voice-Chat/Video-Chat (Skype, Facetime)
• Games
• eBook reading

I'm sure there are more, but the above cover most of what the typical person will want to do with their iPad.  Let's look at where the newer generation models would be helpful:

Obviously for web browsing and email, there is little reason to upgrade.  The screen will look a little nicer, and the data may load a little faster on the 3G model if you upgrade to LTE, but basically, not much difference.  Unless you are using the 3G model to send huge attachments, there's not going to be much difference.

For taking Photos, obviously if you have an iPad 1 now, that will go from impossible to possible.  If you have an iPad 2, not much will change.  Honestly, though, the form factor of the iPad isn't really convenient to use as a portable camera, and the picture quality is hardly state-of-the-art.  If you want the upgrade to take photos, you may as well spend your money on a camera instead.  Even a used $200 digital camera will have much better optics than the any iPad.  On the other hand, if you are planning to buy an iPad, and you can one with a camera for close to the same price, go for it.

Voice-Chat/Video-Chat: If you use these features regularly, this is an area where it makes sense to upgrade to or buy an iPad with a camera.  I have a small laptop with a webcam I bring everywhere, so it isn't critical for me, but clearly if you are a big FaceTime user, you want an iPad 2 or new iPad.  

Games:  Games are an area where you can easily make the case for buying the new iPad.  Honestly, some games, (like Uno, etc.) work perfectly fine on the iPad 1.  The graphics capabilities have been enhanced with each generation, though, so if you are a serious gamer, you might appreciate the faster graphics speed and more detailed displays.  On the other hand, if you are a serious gamer, you probably have a dedicated portable game console.

eBook Reading:  If you really, seriously, have tried to use the iPad as a serious eBook reader for hours on end, you probably notice it's not that great for the job.  The screen is more pixelated than my laptop, and you would certainly be better off with a dedicated eBook reader with one of those eInk screens instead of an LCD screen.  The new iPad does have higher screen resolution, so it may be somewhat better, but basically not much will change other than the text getting a little prettier.

So thinking about all of the typical use cases, there just doesn't seem to be a compelling reason to upgrade to the New iPad if you already have an iPad 2, and really only a few reasons to if you have an iPad 1.  Apple knew that this was more of an evolutionary release, which is presumably why they decided not to name it "iPad 3".  Given that you can pick up a "like new" condition iPad 2 easily for less cash, I suggest that most people would be better off buying a high end iPad 2 for the same money they could spend to get a low-end "New iPad".  Adding more flash memory will be more useful to most people than a nominal speed boost.

If you're planning on buying an iPad for your kids to mess with, I strongly suggest getting a low end first generation model, and putting it in a sturdy case.  They are cheaper by now, and much sturdier too.

Limitations of the iPad:
Also, if you are not sure if you should buy a tablet at all, think about what you will actually do with it?  It is convenient for things like watching movies on the train:  It has a long battery life and good performance for things like playing videos.  On the other hand, it's clear that people who way it's a "PC Replacement" don't do much on their PC.  The iPad does web browsing and Facebook just fine, but it's a nightmare to try to use for any serious work, especially where real multitasking is required.  I can easily open a PDF of a textbook, a doc file for my homework, an excel file to do calculations in, and a web browser to look things up at the same time on my laptop and switch between then in an instant.  Trying to work like that on the iPad is an exercise in frustration.  In fact, people become so enamored with the "ooh, ahh" aspect of having a large touch screen that they forget to check if it can do things they take for granted on the PC.  For example, when you realize that the title of that MP3 file is misspelled and you want to fix it, too bad.  Basically, computers can do anything.  an iPad can only do very specific supported things.  Even though you can add applications, the functionality they can add or modify is very limited.  For example, had Apple not added VPN functionality, there would have been no way for anyone else to add it.  Android is a bit more flexible, but still not at the level of a normal computer OS.  One positive thing about iOS is that Apple has had a policy of supporting upgrades for devices for several years.  Make sure that you can do what you want before buying a tablet.  For example, iOS sucks for receiving incoming calls from 3rd party apps like Skype. (Though FaceTime works fine).

This goes for the hardware as well.  Let's say you want a 7 inch model - well, if Apple doesn't decide to make one, too bad.  If you want a plastic one that's more sturdy for your kids, again, too bad.  If you want a 3D screen, etc., etc.  Android handsets obviously have this covered, since there are many manufacturers making many models.  On the other hand, with Apple, you know you'll always at least get something decent, whereas you have to be careful when buying generic bargain priced tablets from unknown makers.

Conclusion
In the end: It depends on what you want to do with it, what your needs and priorities are, and how much money you have to burn.  I would caution against making sure a tablet can do what you want, and if so, whether an older model might suffice - especially, since as listed above, you can get an older model with better specs for the same price.