Why You Should Wait To Buy iPad 2

For those who know me, you know I have a love/hate relationship with the iPad I spent the better half of 6 months whining about wanting. It’s a fantastic device on many levels, but also drives me insane on several more. I think it’s because I want it to do so many of the things that my iPhone or even my Mac can do…and it feels like it’s on the cusp of that, but never quite lives up to those standards.

But, if rumors come true by April, there’s a great chance the the next generation iPad (dubbed ‘iPad 2′) will live up to at least some of my expectations on what a tablet should be doing. Here are some thoughts on why if you’re in the market for the iPad, you should wait for the next release.

• First, the current iPad is not really a tablet in my opinion. A tablet is something more than a media consumption device. It’s a device that you can work from, rely on, and create content with. And though I do all of those things on my iPad, I often find myself saying, “This would be so much easier on my Mac. Or even my iPhone.” Such things as typing simple blogs or email, clocking in and out of my online system for work, and of course the Flash debacle, are made so much more difficult through the iPad UI. Though there aren’t any strong rumors about enhancements in these areas, you can bet that a faster processor and a more reactive user interface (some tweaks here and there could really make a difference) will come with iPad 2.
• Second, the no camera thing really anchors the current iPad to your home. There’s no need or function for the iPad to be on the go with you the way your phone might. I bought my iPad as a cheaper alternative to a new MacBook, and boy was I wrong. Though I can (and do) take my iPad everywhere, it really isn’t made for mobility. No camera, no GPS, and no stand out apps for mobility make the current generation a fun little toy to play with when you’re laying around your house and bored. I think the iPad could be SO MUCH more than that. If rumors are true (and it sounds like they are) the iPad 2 will not only have a back side camera, but a front facing camera as well! And it’s rumored to include PhotoBooth as well as the expected FaceTime app. This will open up a whole new world of connecting to the outside world with your iPad…something that the current generation
• Thirdly, you’re going to get more bang for your buck if you wait for iPad 2. Apple has a history of releasing new products at the same price point as their previous generations (except for the MacBook Airs!). This means you could buy current generation iPad today, and iPad 2 will hit the shelves tomorrow with a significant upgrade…at the same price. Assuming that the iPads stay at the entry level price point of $499, that’s something to take in to consideration when you make a big purchase.
• Fourthly, the current generation iPad display is good. But, it could be great. I had the iPhone 4 with a retina display for about 6 months before I got my iPad and my iPad screen looks so old and even cheap compared to my iPhone screen. In fact, when I first got my iPhone 4 I would just turn it on to look at how amazing the screen looked. Though I don’t think the iPad 2 will have 4 times the resolution the way the iPhone 4 evolved, I think an upgraded display is a safe bet.
• Surprises! Apple is really good at hiding little features in new products that end up standing out a great deal. So there’s a chance that iPad 2 will have some great new features that aren’t even mentioned that will make the current generation iPad seem lackluster and outdated. To me, that’s the brilliance of Apple and why so many people need to have the newest products.

In essence, with the demand of the iPad at an all time high, at this point it would make more financial and functional sense to wait it out for a few months and get the newest most advanced iPad that Apple can make.

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