iPad 2 reviews: the first verdicts are in

The iPad 2 launches in the US today

As you may well be aware, today is iPad 2 launch date in the US. Of course, we’re facing another fortnight’s wait here in the UK for the new Apple tablet to go on sale, so it’s fair to say we’re casting a jealous eye at our US colleagues right now.

So what are they saying so far about the iPad 2? Well, some selected outlets have been given the iPad 2 ahead of time, and the first full reviews have started appearing online. Here’s what they have to say about all the iPad 2’s key issues:

Size and weight:

TechCrunch: Overall, the device has a much more fluid design. Apple notes that the body now consists of two parts instead of the three that made up the iPad 1. This makes it feel even more solid, and even more like a natural object instead of a machine.

Engadget: from an industrial design standpoint, the iPad 2 just seriously raised the bar on sleek, sexy computer hardware. It looks and feels amazingly sleek when you hold it.

Power:

AllThingsD: I didn’t find the speed difference on iPad 2 to be dramatic, but it was noticeable. Apps launched and ran a bit quicker and the whole device felt very snappy.

Slashgear: iOS 4.3 whips along almost instantaneously on the new Apple A5 processor, with apps loading more swiftly, running more smoothly and the whole thing feeling incredibly responsive.

Cameras:

USA Today: You won’t confuse the cameras on the iPad 2 for a top-notch Canon or Nikon. Indoor pictures I snapped in low light were grainy. There is no flash. Still, the VGA-quality front-facing camera or the HD (up to 720p) rear camera are just fine for FaceTime.

TechCrunch: As you’ve undoubtedly heard by now, the cameras on the device are not great. But it’s hard to imagine anyone using this as a point-and-shoot camera replacement.

Verdict:

Bloomberg: For anyone in the market for their first tablet, the discussion begins - and for the moment probably ends - with the iPad. For existing iPad users, the question is whether to upgrade. Unless you truly need the video capabilities, the answer is: Not really.

NYT: The shocker here is that the iPad 2 actually costs less than its comparably equipped Android rivals… [that] means that for the first time, your heart can succumb to the iPad mystique – without having to ignore the practical input from your brain