Apple's 'New iPad' vs. iPad 2: Should You Upgrade?

Display: The original iPad and the iPad 2 featured a 1024 x 768 display resolution with 132 pixels per inch. While both models were beautiful to look at, the new iPad is simply untouchable when it comes to appearances. The new iPad boasts a 2048 x 1536 display resolution with double the amount of pixels per inch, at 264 ppi. Images, text, videos, everything looks better on the new iPad.

Advantage: New iPad

Processor: The iPad 2 ran on a dual-core A5 processor, the same chip found inside the iPhone 4S, and helps create incredible graphics and performance speed. Apple upgraded its internal processor inside the new iPad, endowing the new tablet with a quad-core A5X chip which quadruples the graphics power of the device, making it brighter and more colorful. Everything is speedy and gorgeous on the new iPad.

Advantage: New iPad

Camera System: The original iPad only had a single camera, but the iPad 2 included front and rear cameras that could capture 720p HD video at 30 frames per second. While the new iPad doesn't have the same powerful 8-megapixel camera as the iPhone 4S, the new device does improve the tablet's camera system with a 5-megapixel camera that features autofocus, face detection, and video recording in 1080p HD. The front camera remained unchanged since the iPad 2, but the back camera's improvements make the new iPad a great device to take photos and video with.

Advantage: New iPad

Dimensions and Weight: All iPads may feature the same size dimensions, but the weight of each device varies depending on the carrier and the network connectivity features. For example, the 3G iPad 2 for AT&T actually weighs six grams more than the same iPad on Verizon. Across the board, however, the new iPad weighs an average of 50 grams more than its predecessor and is even three one-hundredths of an inch thicker. If you can't stand the idea of your iPad 2 weighing one-tenth of a pound more, then don't upgrade.

Advantage: iPad 2

Battery Life: Since the original iPad was unveiled, Apple has touted a 10-hour battery life for every one of its tablets. The new iPad is no different: Apple promises 10 hours of Web surfing and video watching on a Wi-Fi connection, and 9 hours if the user is leveraging the 4G LTE network.

Advantage: Tie

Price: Of course the new iPad is going to be more expensive than the iPad 2, but thankfully, the new iPad is priced exactly the same as its predecessor. The new iPad will start selling at $499 for Wi-Fi only, and ranges up to $829 for both Wi-Fi and 4G LTE. The iPad 2 will now only sell 16 GB models, and the Wi-Fi model costs $399 and the 3G model costs $529.

Advantage: iPad 2

Conclusion: The new iPad is a spectacular device, and it improves upon the iPad 2 in almost every way. The battery is just as good, the rear camera is improved, but most importantly, the main feature of the device -- the display -- is vastly improved. Only playing with the device gives a user an idea of how stunningly beautiful the new iPad is compared to its ancestors, the iPad and iPad 2.

Yes, there are some things that are missing from the new iPad. There's no Siri, no NFC, and no killer features like advanced haptics. But with a faster processors and more ways to connect to higher-speed networks, the new iPad is definitely worth the upgrade from the original iPad. But what about the iPad 2? Well, ultimately it's up to your personal taste, but if you want the best iPad experience out there, the new iPad blows away the iPad 2 by a mile. Speedy connections and beautiful-looking pictures are everything on the iPad, and it's certainly worth the original $499 price just to experience how Apple has resolutionized the tablet display.