21 May Apple’s new iPad: gorgeous display but…
In early 2010, Apple launched the first-generation iPad, a disruptive piece of technology that has transformed the way we all work, play and study forever. Airline pilots get to use it during landings and take-off; kindergarten kids are learning multi-touch gestures on their LeapFrog LeapPads iPads before they even learn to pick up and read a book; and in my studio, clients, models and crew have access to iPads to monitor and review the shots in (almost) real-time as the shoot progresses, without having to crowd around a single monitor or laptop.
A few months later in June 2010, Apple introduced the world’s first HD smartphone, namely the iPhone 4 with its beautiful Retina display. Finally, after a long wait, the high-resolution display technology has made it to the new third-generation iPad. The 9.7-inch screen is gorgeous, but it brings out the worst (and best) of everything. Images, apps and websites (including this one!) optimised for the display look great. However the majority of websites in general, look decidedly low-fi as the HD web is not here yet!
Buy the largest capacity iPad you can afford as the other downsides of the stunning display are bloated apps and websites due to larger hi-res images. Expect your mobile data allowance to take a hit if you go for the wifi+cellular option. And the new iPad takes longer to charge because of the higher-capacity battery to drive the display. But it’s all worth it for the Retina display alone!
Apple will eventually roll out Retina displays to their desktop and laptop offerings. Kudos to Apple for making it happen and allowing everyone to experience the internet in full high-definition glory as the technology matures and…. Personally, I’d love to see Apple launch a new 30” Cinema Display with Retina technology… as well as a multi-user mode for the iPad would be great as well so I can truly share the iPad with separate user accounts..
The bottom line: worthy upgrade if you owned the original version. Hold off if you have the iPad 2.. unless you want to own every piece of bleeding-edge technology..
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