The Apple iPad 2 Review
by Brian Klug, Anand Lal Shimpi & Vivek Gowri on March 19, 2011 8:01 PM ESTWiFi and baseband
In our iPad 2 preview I speculated that Apple might have moved entirely to Qualcomm for the iPad 2 baseband, and the most likely guess was to the same Qualcomm MDM6x00 used in the Verizon iPhone. Turns out that I was only partially right. Looking at the difference in weight between the Verizon and AT&T models on the Apple website should've been the dead giveaway, but I initially suspected the reason was more area dedicated to power amps for the GSM/UMTS version.
Black RF window at the top, even on a white iPad.
The Verizon iPad 2 shares the same Qualcomm MDM6600 baseband as the Verizon iPhone 4. The AT&T (GSM/UMTS) iPad 2 on the other hand uses the same Infineon, ...errr Intel X-Gold 618 baseband as the GSM/UMTS iPhone 4. It's interesting to see Apple using two different basebands when one could have covered both CDMA2000/EVDO and GSM/UMTS, and faster HSPA at that rate. The X-Gold 618 just isn't super impressive anymore in a world dominated by HSDPA 14.4 and 21.1 compatible basebands. That said, it's a welcome improvement from the X-Gold 608 shared between the iPhone 3G, 3GS and GSM/UMTS iPad, which lacked HSUPA entirely, and thus had a maximum upstream rate of 384 kbps (UMTS speeds).
| GSM/UMTS (AT&T) iPad 2 - Network Support | |||||
| GSM/EDGE Support | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz | ||||
| UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA Support | 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz | ||||
| HSDPA/HSUPA Speeds | 7.2 Mbps / 5.76 Mbps | ||||
| Baseband Hardware | Infineon/Intel X-GOLD 618 | ||||
| CDMA (Verizon) iPad 2 - Network Support | |||||
| CDMA2000-1xEV-DO | 800 / 1900 MHz | ||||
| Theoretical Downstream/Upstream | 3.1 Mbps / 1.8 Mbps | ||||
| Baseband Hardware | Qualcomm MDM6600 | ||||
The cellular enabled versions of the iPad 2 still are easily picked out by the black plastic strip at the top which is an RF window. Curiously, the color of the RF window is black even on the white iPad models, which seems a bit un-Apple. Maybe black made more sense since white plastic might eventually show some discoloration. Through testing the window seems to also be used for WiFi in addition to cellular. The GSM/UMTS version has a microSIM slot and comes with a SIM ejector tool in the package.
I found the microSIM incredibly difficult to eject on my AT&T iPad 2 compared to every other iDevice. You have to insert the ejector tool normal to the curved surface, which ends up being at an angle of nearly 45 degrees with respect to the back surface. It isn't how I expected things to work, and the tray itself is a bit awkward.
I carried around the AT&T version of the iPad 2 and ran over 150 speedtests using Ookla's speedtest.net application. I averaged throughput of 2.76 Mbps down and 802 kbps up, with latency of 390 ms. Anand carried around the Verizon version and saw downstream speeds averaging 872 kbps down, 434 kbps up, and latency of 382 ms.
| 3G Speed Comparison - Speedtest.net to best host | ||||||
| Provider / Data | Verizon - (EVDO) | AT&T - (UMTS/HSPA) | ||||
| Max Downstream | 1.679 Mbps | 6.135 Mbps | ||||
| Average Downstream | 0.872 Mbps | 2.759 Mbps | ||||
| Max Upstream | 0.837 Mbps | 1.635 Mbps | ||||
| Average Upstream | 0.434 Mbps | 0.802 Mbps | ||||
| Average Latency | 382 ms | 390 ms | ||||
| Minimum Latency | 298 ms | 239 ms | ||||
Pricing between the two providers is interesting. It appears that Verizon was careful to not compete with AT&T at the same data package points, instead targeting data packages other than the two 256 MB and 2 GB bundles AT&T already offers. At the same time, pricing at 3 GB on Verizon is exactly where you'd wind up should you run over 2 GB on AT&T and incur the automatic $10.00 overage charge. Interestingly enough, whereas AT&T bills you automatically when you run over your data caps, Verizon simply stops and lets you add more data before the billing cycle ends. It's an interesting distinction, certainly competition is good. In addition, there doesn't appear to be any activation charge for either AT&T or Verizon.
| 3G Enabled USAiPad 2 Data Plan Pricing | ||||||
| Provider | Verizon (CDMA2000/EVDO) | AT&T (GSM/UMTS) | ||||
| 250 MB | NA | $14.99 / mo - $14.99 for each additional 250 MB | ||||
| 1 GB | $20.00 / mo | NA | ||||
| 2 GB | NA | $25.00 / mo -$10 for each additional GB | ||||
| 3 GB | $35.00 / mo | NA | ||||
| 5 GB | $50.00 / mo | NA | ||||
| 10 GB | $80.00 / mo | NA | ||||
So which of the two is the one to get in the US? Ultimately the decision about which is "better" is really a function of local coverage profile, speeds, and how much data you use (which will determine your pricing). If you're an iPad 1 AT&T user and used unlimited, you also have the option of grandfathering it in for some time as well. Unless you’re in an overloaded metropolitan area, AT&T 3G data speeds are undeniably faster. At the same time, Verizon has more EVDO coverage that, while slower, is generally more consistent. Verizon’s pricing also includes heavier data numbers than AT&T does, so if you’re looking for something to completely replace a notebook with and intend to not use WiFi, that’s a fairly big draw.
Speaking of data use, I find the fact that the “Post PC” era includes implicit data caps (neither Verizon nor AT&T offer any unlimited data iPad packages to new customers) somewhat disturbing. I burned through just shy of 1 GB of my 2 GB AT&T plan in 3 days of use. By the time I got finished writing everything on my review sections, I had already used more than half.
Words cannot express my frustration - nay, rage - at the telecom industry's calculated assault on unlimited data plans, first in the mobile space, and now alarmingly with terrestrial DSL. Glass caps on both have always existed (200 or 250 GB for cable, 5 GB for essentially all mobile), but unless you clearly were abusing it, nothing happened. This move to tiered billing is a much more alarming trend. The above screenshot coupled with my use patterns (I have under 37 MB per day for the rest of the month? HA!) is precisely why I can't possibly see myself using the iPad 2 on a day to day basis. I hate watching a meter, but at least I do it. The problem isn't so much the number so much as the psychological effect of knowing you're eventually going to run into the celing.
WiFi
The iPad 2 uses the exact same 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi + Bluetooth 2.1 EDR stack as its predecessor - the BCM4329. Like the iPad 1, the iPad 2 has 65 Mbps (long guard interval, 20 MHz channel, 1 spatial stream) 802.11n support on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Essentially WiFi speeds and behavior close to the AP is exactly the same as it was before. I’ve seen other WiFi stacks on mobile devices with “802.11n” support provide short guard interval 20 MHz rates of 72 Mbps, but nothing above, yet, so it’s fair to say that the iPad 2 WiFi authentication rate is about par with the competition. That said, Bluetooth 3.0 is already here on a bunch of other devices.
Unfortunately, WiFi range on the iPad 2 is noticeably less than its predecessor, and throughput slows down much earlier on the iPad 2 than it does on the iPad 1. I tested with a WiFi - 3G (AT&T) model and found that I’m able to make it further away from the AP by a good 10 meters or so, but throughput even after you drop one WiFi bar on the iPad 1 is continually better than on the iPad 2.
WiFi throughput also tells a similar story, it just isn’t quite as good as its predecessor. It’s a bit unfortunate since Apple certainly could’ve used this refresh opportunity to be the first to introduce a two spatial stream 802.11n device.
For now, the wrap up with regards to the iPad 2’s WiFi performance is that close to the AP, things are just like they used to be. At the edge of WiFi coverage, the iPad 1 edges out the iPad 2 at maintaining higher negotiated throughput and actual speeds.
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synaesthetic - Sunday, March 20, 2011 - link
I have to agree, the 11" MBA is one extremely sexy piece of kit.I wish there was a similar option that wasn't branded with the half-eaten fruit of hipsterdom. And doesn't run OSX, which I don't particularly like.
snouter - Sunday, March 20, 2011 - link
iPad does have for real 10 hour battery life and is generally maintenance free. Charge it, pick it up, use it. But, the Air gets a solid 5 hours (gets me from coast to coast) and is also pretty much instant on and generates no heat and I never hear the fan. So, although the iPad has a clear advantage in battery life it has no clear advantage as a "consumption device" and it forces you to favor apps and it does not handle media files as well and it does not have flash, which, is still out there.As far as price, yeah, the 11" Air is 50% to 100% more expensive, but ULV Sandy Bridge will see a flood of products on the PC side of things that should have lower price tags and if some PC manufacturer would please step up and start taking product design seriously.
I typed this on my Air, and I would probably type less and put less thought into it (the same dreaded way that BlackBerry effect has really been a setback for written communications with the half butt answers) on an iPad.
Also, one last Air advantage, it has a screen on a hinge. I got so sick of hold the iPad or having to prop it up on things...
The iPad is a +1 device, sure, but... I'm going to stick with the 2 pound laptops for a while.
nickdoc - Sunday, March 20, 2011 - link
Well, if I deserve to be called a hipster or dickhead by some poorly educated idiot with two brain cells (both of them obviously white) for owning an iPad along with a MacBook Air, Mac Mini Server, MacBook Pro 15 and 17", 27" Cinema Display, iPhone4 and something else I forgot, then so be it. I'm not offended in the knowledge who the comment came from. A really sad case. Can't help feeling sorry for you, Kuka-whatever-your-screen-name-was.It looks like the comments here have been written by people under the age of 45-50 because no one has ever mentioned glasses. Yes, those things people need to see what's in front of them, far and near. It's worse when you need both. Then you won't be so happy to do any kind of work on an iPhone or even surf the web. You would wish for a larger screen every time you are forced to switch from your normal glasses to your reading spectacles. Use a netbook? Even worse. A tablet is different and allows you to read with your nose practically replacing your fingers on that touch screen. Perfect!
As a surgeon, I often have to show other people what I mean. This can be a scan, a plain radiograph, lab results and so on. Unless I have a big screen right there for all to see, the iPad is the gadget of choice. Give it to the team before surgery to look at scans with my notes right there on the screen, pass it around when on teaching rounds, give it to a frightened patient to reassure. Try doing the same with a smartphone or a netbook (useless toys that they are) and you will see how crazy that idea is.
Basically, in my field, there is no end to the list of possible applications. This is combining consumption with creation. Therefore, before using such terms as dickheads, try to think a bit further than your own little world if your "processor" has that much power. If not, well... As I said, a very sad case.
Gunhedd - Sunday, March 20, 2011 - link
Thank you. I wish more folks would pipe in with the real-world capabilities and uses they're discovering. No matter though. Apple-hate isn't new. I dealt with it in the '90s when Apple really was in trouble. Apple currently firing on all cylinders just keeps giving haters more and more to bitch about. (Price of success perhaps?)Hipsters? Dickheads? WTF?
This comment isn't about the review but the inane comments that invariably get trotted out by hater technogeeks that won't move out of their mother's basement, disappointed that all the flash-porn won't work on an iOS device. Instant "fail" (or whatever silly phrase the self-annointed, self-important digerati are using today) in their book. These folks need to get out and learn that most people are "not" like them. But that would require getting a life. (Which would probably be easier than getting a date...)
(See? I can paint with the broad strokes too. ;)
softdrinkviking - Sunday, March 20, 2011 - link
I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed Alexander's glass article, it was a great read.My grandfather was a material scientist, so it brought back a lot of good memories.
AgeOfPanic - Sunday, March 20, 2011 - link
Thanks for the great review. Anandtech seems to be the best site for independent and in-depth reviews. Please keep that going, because there is too much fanboyism going around. Saying that I have to admit, that I lean towards the Android side, because I think it's much more suited towards the tech enthusiast. Right one my HD2 is running the newest Gingerbread 2.3.3 rom from XDA, something impossible with iOS. However, I'm typing this on my iPad and if you would ask me which tablet I would recommend to my parents right now, I would say the iPad.I myself will switch. The question is if I can hold out to the quad core SOC that have been announced for later this year or will go for a Xoom wifi only model. The iPad convinced me that a tablet is what I need most of the time. However, iOS is hopelessly outdated. No widgets, notifications are laughable and browsing is annoying. With no memory, switching between tabs means reloading almost every time. And loading is slow.
That's also why I was so interested in your browser scores. Couple of things I noticed. First of all you switched back to manual measurements for the page loading, because the Honeycomb browser stopped the timer too early. Isn't that just a sign that it is fast or was it really, really early? Manual measurement has it's on flaws though.Very susceptible to operator bias. I don't think you should report your scores in milliseconds then, because that implies an accuracy you just don't have. Furthermore, I would like to see error bars, so we can determine if these differences were really significant.
Again, these are my comments. Thanks for the good work.
bjacobson - Sunday, March 20, 2011 - link
want it on android...TEAMSWITCHER - Sunday, March 20, 2011 - link
I purchased an iPad 2 for my wife. I had been giving her my old MacBook Pro laptops, which at even four years old are complete overkill for her use. She adores the new iPad. It's far more portable and can be used in more situations than a laptop.Case in point, this week she created the family shopping list on her iPad 2 and brought it grocery store. She browses the WEB, FaceBook, games, EMAIL, and keep all her favorite photos, movies, and music.
From now on, i'll be hocking my used MacBooks on craigslist if I can. She doesn't even want a laptop anymore. That's the biggest issue I have - it's too good. Too many people will find that tablets are better and abandon their laptops altogether. Laptops will stop evolving, much like desktops did once Laptops became popular.
Anand Lal Shimpi - Monday, March 21, 2011 - link
I agree that it's a better laptop for casual users. However the Flash limitation I believe is still a problem that prevents it from being a complete laptop replacement for even casual users (a lot of restaurant, automotive and photography websites are still unfortunately 100% flash based). As long as you have some access to a laptop however this is really a non-issue, except when traveling with only the iPad.Take care,
Anand
alex2792 - Sunday, March 20, 2011 - link
I enjoyed reading the review,but it seemed a bit biased to me. While it's true that the iPad can't replace a laptop for content creation it works just fine in many fields. I sell annuities and the iPad has totally replaced my laptop when I'm on the go. I have designed presentations using keynote before and It worked great, whenever meeting a client I always bring my iPad instead of carrying paper brouchoures, in fact most of these clients end up getting an iPad themselves after playing with mine. Maybe Apple should pay me for advertising their product.