The Apple iPad 2 remains atop the tablet food chain despite a seemingly endless supply of competition. As HP and RIM enter the race it seems as though appreciation for Apple’s slate grows stronger. Reports have surfaced suggesting Apple plans to ship five million units this month — a figure that dwarfs the competitions’ sales. Now we’re hearing word an updated iPad 2, dubbed the iPad 2 Plus, could be coming later this year. Does Apple need to update the iPad 2 so soon?
There’s no two ways about it — the iPad 2 is a smashing success. Supply is the only limiting factor for iPad 2 sales as Apple’s marketing team has been able to leverage the unique qualities of its slate beautifully with online and TV adverts. Third quarter shipments are expected to reach 14 million units.
As successful as the iPad 2 has become, the iPad 2 Plus is rumored to include one upgrade many had hoped to see in the current version — a higher resolution display. IBT is reporting the iPad 2 Plus could feature a display in the neighborhood of 250 to 300 pixels per inch (ppi). This display would match the rumored display of the iPad 3 DigiTimes has also reported.
A higher resolution display would certainly be a welcome addition, but far from a necessity. If all other aspects of the iPad 2 remained unchanged, the iPad 2 Plus would be an even smaller upgrade than the iPhone 3GS was to the 3G. Based on that fact alone, we hardly need a new version in 2011. Unless Apple plans to step up the optics, increase RAM as well as double the display resolution we could hold out until 2012.
