What's the difference between the iPad and iPad 2?

From a purely physical standpoint, there are a few subtle -- yet very significant -- differences between the first- and second-generation iPads. For starters, the iPad 2 is thinner and lighter than its predecessor. The new version of the tablet is about 8.8 millimeters thick, about 33 percent thinner than the original iPad. And at a weight of between 1.33 and 1.35 pounds, depending on model, the iPad 2 can be up to 15 percent lighter than the iPad.

The weight and thickness differences may not matter to many users -- the original iPad is still a fraction of the size of laptop computers and has a larger screen than many competing tablet devices. Likewise, the option of getting an iPad 2 with a white case instead of the original iPad's standard black may not sway more than a few very fashion-conscious buyers. But another addition to the iPad 2 could play a big role in your decision as to which iPad to purchase.

One of the criticisms leveled at the first iPad was that it lacked a user-facing camera. This seemed to defeat one potential use for tablets: real-time videoconferencing. Apple addressed this issue by adding both forward- and backward-facing cameras on the iPad 2. If you intend to use your iPad as a communication device, making and receiving calls or using it as a virtual tool to plug into remote meetings, this could be an important physical feature to consider.

The major difference between the iPad models comes not in physical form, but in computing performance. While both models offer storage capacities of 16, 32 or 64 GB, the iPad 2 increases processing power with 512 MB of RAM, versus the iPad's 256 MB. Likewise, while both iPads offer 1 GHz processors, the iPad 2 uses a dual-core A5 chip, versus the iPad's A4 model.

This translates into faster functionality for the iPad 2. Games may play better, and multimedia applications, like the aforementioned videoconferencing, will run smoother and with less likelihood of processor hang-ups.

The iPad 2 also includes tools that take better advantage of the tablet computer's mobility. A three-axis gyro sensor in the tablet senses changes in position, meaning that games and applications dependent on moving the device will work with much more precision than before. Even though the 3G versions of both iPads come with built-in GPS capabilities, the addition of the gyro to the iPad 2 means place- and position-based applications will be more useable and precise on it than on its forebear [source: Aamoth].

Now that you know the differences between the two, your decision as to which iPad to purchase basically comes down to how you will use it. If you're a business owner who sees an iPad as a solution for staying in touch with your team while on the go, for example, the iPad 2's dual cameras, and subsequent ability to let you videoconference from anywhere with a wireless signal, could be a deal-maker that prompts you to go with the new version. The same can be said if you're someone who typically pushes your computers and mobile devices to their limits with applications and software that use every bit of the available processing power. If you tend to buy extra memory as standard practice when buying a new computer, then the iPad 2 with its 64 GB is probably your best bet.

There are many users, though, who will probably be able to do everything they want to with the first-generation iPad. That device is a powerful tool for surfing the Web, playing videos, reading e-books, and staying in touch with friends via e-mail and social media. If that list covers most of what you intend to do with your iPad, then it's well worth your time and money to see if a first-generation model will work for you. Apple's decision in spring 2011 to lower the price of the first-generation iPad by $100 could help make your decision as well: With the price lower than ever, the original iPad is a capable and attractive option for users considering one of these groundbreaking tablets.

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