Best Reviewed
Apple Laptops and Desktops
- Best Apple laptop 15-inch 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro *Est. $2200
- Best ultraportable Apple laptop 13-inch 128 GB MacBook Air *Est. $1300
- Best-value Apple laptop 13-inch 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro *Est. $1200
- Budget Apple laptop 11-inch 64 GB MacBook Air *Est. $1000
- Best Apple desktop 21.5-inch 2.5 GHz iMac *Est. $1200
- Best tablet computer Apple iPad *Est. $500
Get info about new reports and updates
- Thinner, faster than original iPad
- Dual cameras
- Excellent battery life
- Intuitive interface
- Thousands of tablet-specific apps
- Camera quality
- No Flash support
- Much lower screen resolution than the new iPad
- Only one storage option available
- No 4G connectivity
When originally released, the Apple iPad 2 was widely held as the best tablet computer available. It's been supplanted by the Apple iPad (*Est. $500 and up), with its high-resolution 2,048-by-1,536 pixel retina touchscreen display, 4G radio in versions with 4G connectivity, better rear camera and other updates. But the iPad 2 remains available, albeit just in its 16 GB versions, and at a lower price. What's more, its core attractions -- ease of use, great Internet browsing and a library of apps that's unmatched by its competitors -- remain as compelling today as when the iPad 2 burst onto the scene. That makes the iPad 2 a good budget alternative to the iPad and to the slew of lower priced Android tablets.
The iPad 2 is thinner and slightly lighter than the previous iPad, and even just a tiny bit thinner and lighter than the current one, which makes it easier to hold with one hand. A dual-core processor results in fast overall performance, which is especially evident when browsing the web and launching apps. Battery life is excellent, lasting more than 10 hours in most scenarios. The iPad 2 also offers dual cameras, including a front-facing camera that is compatible with FaceTime. Reviewers say the cameras are of low quality, especially for still photos; an improved rear camera (from 3 megapixels to 5 megapixels) is one of the enhancements in the current iPad. Critics note that the iPad 2 still doesn't support Flash video. The lack of a high-resolution display drew disappointment when the iPad 2 was new, and reviewers say that iPad 2 owners should avoid looking at the screen of the current iPad to prevent that disappointment from increasing many-fold.
The iPad 2 comes in Wi-Fi-only (*Est. $400) and Wi-Fi + 3G configurations (*Est. $530), but with only a 16 GB storage capacity still being offered. For the 3G version, data plans are available from both AT&T and Verizon, and they don't require long-term contracts. The iPad 2 comes in both black and white, and its features include a 9.7-inch 1,024-by-768-pixel glossy display, 1 GHz Apple A5 processor and 512 MB of RAM.
Many technology sources have solid reviews of the Apple iPad 2, including PCMag.com, Macworld and Laptop Magazine. Each of these sources thoroughly tests and rates the tablet. Engadget.com, SlashGear.com and TechCrunch.com also have useful analyses. Longtime technology reviewers Walter Mossberg and David Pogue don't rate the iPad 2, but they draw useful conclusions nonetheless. See our report on the new Apple iPad for reviews of that device, many of which include comparisons to the iPad 2.
| Apple iPad 2 PC769LL/A Tablet (16GB, WiFi, Black) 2nd Generation | |
(838 reviews) In Stock. |
|
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  1,231 store reviews | In Stock. Earn 2% eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases! Backed by eBay Buyer Protection Program. Terms and Conditions apply. | $575.00 | See It |
 | 1,231 store reviews | In Stock. Earn 2% eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases! Backed by eBay Buyer Protection Program. Terms and Conditions apply. | $524.99 | See It |
 |  466 store reviews | In Stock. | $399.00 | See It |
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
Tim Gideon at PCMag.com says the iPad 2 "easily wins" an Editors' Choice award in the tablet category. Although he says it is not a must-have upgrade for owners of the original iPad, Gideon says the iPad 2 remains the tablet to beat.
Review: Apple iPad 2 (Wi-Fi + 3G), Tim Gideon, March 9, 2011
2. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
The iPad 2 also earns an Editors' Choice award from Laptop Magazine. Mark Spoonauer says the cameras aren't great, but he compliments the iPad 2's design, speed and battery life.
Review: Apple iPad 2 (Verizon Wireless) Review, Mark Spoonauer, March 9, 2011
3. CNET
CNET also gives an Editors' Choice award to the Apple iPad 2. "Its easy-to-use interface, vast app catalog, and marathon battery life bolster Apple's claim to being the king of tablets," says Donald Bell. The low-quality cameras are one downside.
Review: Apple iPad 2 (16GB, Wi-Fi, Black), Donald Bell, March 11, 2011
Macworld gives the iPad 2 a 4.5-star rating out of 5. Like other reviewers, Jason Snell says the tablet is faster and feels lighter than the previous version.
Review: Review: The iPad 2, Jason Snell, March 9, 2011
5. Engadget.com
Engadget.com gives the iPad 2 an overall rating of 9 out of 10. Joshua Topolsky says he loves the new iPad's thin design and that battery life exceeds expectations.
Review: IPad 2 Review, Joshua Topolsky, March 9, 2011
The iPad 2 scores another Editors' Choice award from ComputerShopper.com. Jonathan Rougeot likes the tablet's performance and the web browsing experience it provides. Like some other reviewers, Rougeot grouses about the quality of the tablet's cameras.
Review: Apple iPad 2 (Wi-Fi & 3G Version, AT&T), Jonathan Rougeot, April 2011
The iPad 2 scores a 4.5-star rating out of 5 from Britain's TechRadar.com. In this lengthy review, John Brandon says the tablet was the best available at the time of its release, but he would like to see more innovative features.
Review: IPad 2 Review, John Brandon, March 14, 2011
Like many reviewers, Walter Mossberg says that the iPad 2 is noticeably faster than its predecessor and that battery life remains a high point. The cameras aren't that great, however, and the iPad still lacks Flash support, he notes.
Review: IPad 2: Thin, Not Picture Perfect, Walter S. Mossberg, March 9, 2011
David Pogue says the iPad 2 hasn't changed all that much from its predecessor, but it feels much different. "My friends, I'm telling you: just that much improvement in thinness, weight and speed transforms the experience," he says.
Review: Appeal of iPad 2 Is a Matter of Emotions, David Pogue, March 9, 2011
Andy Ihnatko at the Chicago Sun-Times says that at the time of its release, the iPad 2 was the tablet to beat. "Unless some other company reaches into their hat and pulls out the god-damnedest rabbit anyone's ever seen, Apple has a lock on the tablet category until next year at the very least," he says.
Review: Review: IPad 2 Is Not Revolutionary, But It Is Great, Andy Ihnatko, April 22, 2011
Edward C. Baig at USA Today gives the iPad 2 a thumbs up. It has drawbacks -- no Flash support and low-quality cameras -- but he says the iPad 2 is still a better tablet than its predecessor.
Review: IPad 2 Is Even Better Than the Original, Edward C. Baig, March 10, 2011
12. SlashGear.com
The iPad 2 earns a positive review from Vincent Nguyen at SlashGear.com. The iPad 2 is faster, easier to hold and includes some nifty new accessories compared to the original iPad.
Review: IPad 2 Review, Vincent Nguyen, March 9, 2011
13. TechCrunch.com
MG Siegler at TechCrunch.com finds a few disappointments, but those are more than offset by the many positives of the iPad 2. "This is everything that was great about the initial iPad, but better," he says.
Review: TechCrunch Review - The iPad 2: Yeah, You're Gonna Want One, MG Siegler, March 9, 2011
Apple Laptops and Desktops Runners Up:
12 picks including: Chicago Sun Times, Engadget.com…
6 picks by top review sites.
5 picks including: Arstechnica.com, Engadget.com…
4 picks by top review sites.
3 picks including: Arstechnica.com…
3 picks by top review sites.
3 picks by top review sites.
3 picks by top review sites.
