Apple’s new iPad has been met with approval from analysts and bloggers, who have praised the high-resolution screen and camera, although say the 4G capability is not as fast as some would have liked.
Australian analysts have also expressed disappointment the device won’t work on Australia’s only 4G network, as the iPad is only built to pick up certain mobile frequencies.
Over at The Verge , the first hands-on was a positive, with the publication praising the high resolution screen as “absolutely stunning”.
“Just as when we first saw the iPhone 4 display, the new iPad’s 2048 x 1536 screen is stunning to behold. Simply put, there’s no other product like it on the market,” it said, also noting the device suffered no lag at all.
It also said the introduction of new features for Garage Band and iPhoto were interesting, in that Apple “is bringing more of its high-end features to the iPad” – more evidence of Apple’s push towards a “post-PC” era.
At Engadget , the reception was a similar and the publication said the new features could very well convince owners of the original iPad to upgrade. The screen, it said, may even be better than the next best thing, the ASUS TF700T.
It also praised the update to the camera, which is now capable of recording at 1080p. However, it regretted the fact there was no upgrade for the front lens. Voice dictation is a nice touch, it said, while adding that although the new processor doesn’t make the whole experience “dramatically” faster, there’s still an improvement.
Slashgear also approves , saying the processor is “swift” and that multitasking is easy enough, although admits a full-test won’t be available until the gadget itself is released.
And although TechRadar was wary of giving a full opinion due to the crowded hands-on environment after the announcement, it said the tablet “impressed us hugely on its first showing”.
MG Siegler wrote over at TechCrunch the device may be slightly thicker and heavier, but it’s still worth the upgrade.
“The new iPad seems fast, but the iPad 2 seemed fast. I imagine it will be hard to tell the speed difference between the two until apps that really test the RAM and graphics chip appear.”
Siegler also pointed out the name of the new device carries some significance. With the numerical updates dropped from the “iPad” name, it suggests that Apple wants to view the iPad as a major hardware category alongside other devices such as the Mac or MacBook, and also differentiate it from the competition.
Meanwhile, experts have pounced on comments made by chief executive Tim Cook yesterday that Apple is working to usher in a post-PC era. These were quickly followed up by a forecast from Gartner, that PC sales would grow by just 4.4% in 2012 to 368 million units.
“It’s not that consumers aren’t using PCs. They are,” analyst Ranjit Atwal told TechCrunch. “It’s just that they’re using their current models and not replacing them anymore with new PCs.”
These figures also come alongside different numbers that suggest sales of PCs outsold tablets six to one in 2011 – but that’s down from 20 to one in 2010.
Back home, there has been some criticism locally due to a lack of support for Telstra’s 4G network. Experts suggest it may be a while before a 4G iPad finds its way to Australian shores, as telcos work to catch up with American networks.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
