(mods, if you think this should be in a different thread, feel free of course! Didn't find a "comparison" thread)

Trying to decided between the current wifi-only iPad 2 for $499 or the refurbed wifi only original iPad at $349 (the latter from Apple, so comes with a warranty).

For those who have used both, what are the most important differences?

One review I read said that for his purposes, despite the fact of the 2's much speedier processor, he'd always found his original iPad plenty speedy for what he did.

My use would fall on the relatively light side I think: browsing (usually half a dozen tabs open), email, the very occasional movie, book reading either through the Kindle app or Bluefire app for library books.

Plus the usual FF obsessive apps for UA, Hilton, TripAdvisor, yadda yadda.

Thanks!

I had the original iPad and loved it - it was sufficient for what I did, but as I became more of a power user (read: leaving the laptop home), I did find some challenges with processor speed, etc.

I love the iPad 2 for the front camera - I do a lot of skype and FaceTime video calls.

For your purposes, the first gen model is probably fine!

I have only used both briefly, as I do not own either, but we have both at work. I would say the biggest difference is the shape of the case and the difference in weight. I'm still trying to decide if I want an iPad 2 or wait for a 3, but after using a 2, I don't see how I would be happy with an original.

I have both (my wife got tired of me not sharing the 1, so she bought me a 2).

Honestly, I don't see any difference in speed. Apparently, the 2 can handle larger photo file sizes, but I never really had a problem with the 1.

The camera on the 2 allows me to use USAA deposit @ home, otherwise, I'd never use it.

I guess that's a long way of saying that it's about the camera IMHO, if you need/want it, the $100 is worth it

Should have acted more quickly. Now out-of-stock.

On the iPad 2, you can mirror the entire device out to a projector, HDMI connection, etc. On iPad 1, you can only do so for video and a few limited apps. That may be a limitation, or not, depending on how you use it.

The cameras imho are worth it to go for the iPad 2. Lots of versatile uses for it, even though the cameras are fairly low res.

The online Apple store restocks nightly.

I purchased one of these a few days after the iPad 2 was announced. The only flaw I detect is a static "click" through the loudspeaker when I turn it off with the power button. I assume this is not normal, but doesn't much matter because I typically have the volume off or very low.

It is awkward to use (without a hardware keyboard) for Flyertalk moderation, although that can be a good way to practice the Copy/Cut/Paste routines. Also, I have had problems losing composed text in one browser tab when switching to another to copy a link to another thread or a rule.

Hi there,

I will be buying the latest version, iPad 2, if I were you.

For reading, I've heard from a number of friends that the lighter/thinner iPad 2 is greatly preferable to the original iPad. One of the things I liked about my Kindle compared to my original iPad is that its just so much lighter and less fatiguing to read with. The iPad is great, but I also plan to buy an iPad 2 soon. Partly for more memory, but also for snappier processor and better feel/weight.

For many countries one of the waited new features on the iPad 2 is the support for 900 Mhz 3G. Typically a country has 2100 Mhz 3G in the cities (supported by iPad 1) but use 900 Mhz 3G in the countryside.

Just did 4-5 Mbit/s on the iPad 2 this summer in the finnish archipelago :-)

Apart from the extra memory and better cpu, the advantages of the iPad 2 really depend on the usage. I think with more memory the apps have got a bit more stable, the speed difference is not such a big deal IMHO. I don't feel the difference in weight and size. So-so upgrade in my case but the 900 Mhz 3G was worth it as our country has it almost everywhere.

I recently upgraded from iPad1 to iPad2. I much prefer the 2.

There are a couple of processor-intensive games that I like playing. Here I notice that the 2 is smoother. But processor speed is frankly, a non-issue for me. It's nice to have more horsepower but it's not necessary for the vast majority of apps I've come across.

The biggest thing for me is the weight. I use my iPad to read books a lot. After a while, holding iPad1 feels heavy. I've not had that issue with iPad2. The 2 is remarkably thinner and lighter and it just works better when holding it for a few hours at a stretch.

The cameras are a nice to have for Skype.

The other nice thing about the 2 is the way it works with Apple's cover. They did a really good job hiding magnets in the iPad so taking the cover off and putting it back on is incredibly easy. My iPad1 by contrast was stuffed away in the original Apple case which did a great job protecting the unit, but sadly entombed it inside a rubbery microfibre case. With iPad2 + the cover, I get to feel the "naked" iPad more which is nice.

Overall - can't go wrong with either iPad1 or 2. But for me the weight difference with 2 is worth a few more $$$.

The weight difference is less than three ounces (80g). Is the practical difference greater because you kept the iPad 1 in the case, but use the iPad 2 without?

Of course that ~3 oz. delta, as a percentage of overall weight, is about a 17% difference, which IMHO is certainly perceptible.

Regards

There were finally some more online this morning, at $299! They were snapped up quickly.