Seamless hardware and interface design, plus an unparalleled ecosystem of apps, keep the iPad 2 a step ahead of the emerging tablet pack. You'll want to be aware of some important factors, though, before picking a data carrier.

Fast performance; Super-thin design; Support for FaceTime; Superb media-sharing; browsing improvements in new iOS; Choice in data carriers

Poor camera quality; Still lacking Flash support; USB port; HDMI; SD-card adapters cost extra; Won't run on 4G network

The first generation iPad started a technological revolution. Apples iPad 2 takes all that was good in the first iPad and makes it better, leaving behind the flaws and installing new hardware and software, to give the second generation iPad user a better experience.

High quality case; Good performance; Quiet and low heat emissions; Good battery life; Extensive package (Appstore; Bookstore; iTunes...; the improvement of the iPad

Still no cursor keys on the virtual keyboard; Limited connectivity; Camera module has bad quality; The Apple System (both soft- and hardware) are completely closed off

The new Apple iPad 2 is a positive step forward in the evolution of tablet computers. The addition of cameras, RAM, and a dual core processor certainly adds to the long term viability of your investment.

The Apple iPad 2 is finally here. It's a device that has been a year in the making. We've pretty much been picturing what the iPad 2 would and would not include ever since Steve Jobs donned his famous turtleneck to announce the prequel back on 27 January 2010 and we bet plenty of you have too.

An awesome tablet which improves on an already successful platform

No display resolution bump; trouble with backlight bleeding

Another top tablet from Apple, but this one feels so much lighter and smaller without losing the screen size

Slim; Fast; Multitude of apps

Not different enough to warrant an upgrade; Screen scratches easily

Update : Check out our new iPad 3 review The Apple iPad 2 might be getting a little longer in the tooth, but it's still a viable option in the tablet market. Can iOS 5.1 - soon to be iOS 6 - give it a decent refresh?

The Apple iPad 2 Wi-Fi is the same product as the 3G-enabled version except for the fact that your access to the internet is limited to areas with Wi-Fi. If you can live without the wider coverage offered by 3G and limit tasks that require internet connectivity to hotspots, this is the one to get.

Apple has done a fine job with the iPad 2, sure it doesn't have removable storage, or 1080p video cameras in the front and back that do 24p in 16x9 or 22x9 format, or 4G or Wi-MAX, etc but it does a great job for what it is.

See Conclusion

See Conclusion

If all goes according to Apple's plan the iPad 2 will hit the Australian market this Friday, March 25th. We queued up outside an Apple store in San Francisco at 3.30am so you won't have to.

The Apple iPad 2 right now is cheaper and easier to use, but not necessarily better endowed than competing tablets – but that doesn't matter.

Dual core processor; 10-hour-plus battery life; Bright 9.7-inch IPS LCD screen; A third thinner than the original; Front and rear cameras

Highly reflective screen; Slippery; No expandable memory; Poor visibility outdoors; Poor still image quality