It’s iPad 2 launch day in the UK tomorrow, and gadget hounds up and down the land are gearing up to grab one. Are you one of them? Do you just not realise it yet? Wherever you sit with Apple’s slate, read our guide right here for everything you need to know for launch tomorrow – we’ve even found you a few bargains!
UPDATE: Vodafone’s iPad 2 tariffs have just gone live as well, so we’ve updated to include these.
UPDATE 2: And the networks’ SIM only plans are live on Apple’s online UK store.
So what’s this iPad 2 everyone’s talking about?
Where have you been? Go read our iPad 2 review. Basically, it’s computing redux. Utterly obvious, always on with a battery life that never lets you down. It’s the future, and it’s here now.
What’s actually new about it?
Well, the screen stays the same at 9.7-inches across, but it’s been drastically reduced in profile: it’s just 8.8mm thick, with a metallic backing that’s more iPod touch than MacBook Pro.
Rather than a delicate coffee table talking point like the original iPad, it now genuinely does feel like a large iPod touch, in that you can comfortably pop it into your bag and take some every day wear and tear.
There’s also now a faster dual core A5 processor inside, and though Apple won’t ever admit it, more RAM, up to 512MB.
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Can I order one online yet?
Surprisingly, no. Apple’s UK online store only allows you to sign up for notifications of when pre-orders will go live right now, though we know the time will be fact 1am on Friday morning UK time.
It can’t hurt to try, but if you must have one on day one, you’re probably going to have to queue.
Where?
An Apple store is a good bet: Apple will keep plenty of its limited iPad 2 stock to itself, and will begin selling them at 5pm tomorrow. But while there might be something of a geek-carnival atmosphere at flagship London stores, you might have better luck at a smaller store, or one of the independent chains selling it.
Carphone Warehouse, Orange, Vodafone and T-Mobile stores will all also be stocking the slate, so you could try there. We’ve seen Carphone stores with next to no queues just down the road from Apple’s flagship London Regent Street store on previous iPhone launches, so scout around first.
How much are these iPad 2 jobbies?
It’s actually a bit of a bargain: the iPad 2 starts off at £399 for the 16GB Wi-Fi only model, while models with 32GB and 64GB will set you back £479 and £559 respectively. Yes, it’s a shame you can’t insert your own microSD storage, but what are you going to do? We’ve coped with 16GB just fine on our original iPad for the last year. If you’re after a model with 3G and GPS connectivity, you’ll pay £100 on top of the Wi-Fi models of the same capacity.
It is possible to get an iPad 2 upfront for cheaper. You should be able to pick it up subsidised on all three networks, though only two, Orange and Vodafone has come forward with pricing. If you’re prepared to tie yourself into a two year £27 per month (£25 for existing customers) contract, you can get the 16GB 3G iPad 2 starting at £199 upfront on Orange, while Vodafone is offering apporximately the same (£24.50 for existing customers), with some cheap roaming data, but higher device costs: they start at £229.
What accessories are launching with it?
Apple’s own brand accessories for the original iPad were frankly bobbins. Remember the case that appeared to have been cut from a swimming arm band? It’s solved that this time with panache, outing a Smart Cover that genuinely is smart, hooking onto the iPad 2 with magnets and popping up and activating the screen simultaneously. Considering the iPad 2 is now selling for £399, rather than the original’s £420 pricetag, we’d say the polyurethane model is well worth forking out £35 for. If you’re feeling luxurious, you can get a leather model for £59, but it’s not an essential upgrade.
Apple is also selling a HDMI adaptor which will work with both iPads, the iPhone 4 and fourth generation iPod touch, and is a nice idea for pumping high def video through to your telly if you don’t have an Apple TV – but if you have another media streamer or games console, it might be a bit frivolous, and there’s no word on UK pricing for it just yet.
Of course, the usual suspects like Griffin, Scosche and the gang have iPad 2 accessories lined up, from typical sleeves and covers to more unusual fare. Our favourite we’ve seen so far is the Griffin GuitarConnect, which lets you strum your axe into Apple’s Slate – perfect for GarageBand on the iPad 2.
And finally…should you buy it?
Almost certainly. We’d say Apple has finally cracked it and come up with a tablet that genuinely replaces a laptop for people who don’t require one for work, rather than general oddjobs and entertainment.
If you’ve got an original iPad, or an Android tablet, the issue is a little more uncertain. Yes, it’s somehow even thinner, and yes, if you feel it, you won’t look at the original iPad in the same light again. But it’s still only incremental – check our iPad 2 review to see if it’s worthwhile.
