Apple’s launch of the iPad with Retina display flew undeservedly under the radar when it debuted alongside the iPad mini on Nov. 2, 2012.
The iPad with Retina display, the fourth generation iPad, but the second generation with retina display, is overall very impressive.
The iPad with Retina display is available now in stores in either Wi-Fi or both Wi-Fi and cellular capabilities. Both options are available in black or white. Prices start at $499 and range up to $829.
It is 9.50 inches tall, 7.31 inches wide and .37 inches deep with a diagonal length of 9.7 inches, making it the same size as the iPad 3, which was pushed out of the Apple lineup by the release of the iPad with Retina. The Wi-Fi iPad weighs 1.44lbs while the Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad weighs 1.46lbs.
The new iPad uses the operating system iOS 6, like the iPhone 5. The iPad 3 came with iOS 5, but is upgradable to iOS 6.
The iPads come preinstalled with 19 apps. It also comes with the App Store, which features over 275,000 apps for iPads.
Perhaps the biggest improvement on the new iPad is its outward camera. The camera’s colors are noticeably more accurate and clear on the newest iPad than on the iPad 3’s cameras.
Both the outward and inward facing cameras are quick to focus and take sharp photos with vibrant colors that match the subject.
Although the digital zoom on the camera greatly decreases the quality of the photo, photos can easily be cropped and color enhanced. The press of two buttons easily shares photos through text, Facebook, shared photostream, Twitter or email.
The iPad with Retina has over three millions pixels that create a crystal clear image. It has a 2048-by-1536 pixel resolution, which is 264 pixels per inch. However, no changes were made to the screen for the latest model.
The battery can last for ten hours with Wi-Fi and longer if neither Wi-Fi or cellular data are being used. However, once the battery wears down completely, it takes at least eight hours for the iPad to fully recharge.
Like the iPhone 5, the newest iPad uses the Lightning connector to charge, meaning many charging systems and speakers no longer work without the $29 adapter that connects the Lightning connector to the traditional 30-pin connector that Apple has used on past iPhones and iPods.
While the iPad is available in 16, 32 or 64GB, a considerable amount of that storage is dedicated to software. On the 64GB iPad, only 57.2GB is available for the user to fill, with the other 6.8 GB being reserved for software or other reserved storage space.
The iPad is not ideal for typing more than a short email, but a case with a keyboard or a wireless keyboard can easily fix that.
If you’re in the market for a new tablet, the iPad with Retina display is very impressive, but if you already own the iPad 3, the tweaks were too minor to go out and get the new one.
Overall, the iPad is easy to use and fun to play with and should be taken into consideration when buying a new tablet.
