Apple iPad2 or The "New iPad" - Buy/Replace?

So finally, the much speculated Apple's new ipad has been launched  with a higher resolution display and an updated version of the Apple TV box used to stream movies, TV shows and other content from the Internet to TV sets. Pricing for new iPad: $499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB & $699 64GB versions. $129 more for 4G. Will be up for sale from March 16.

Whenever there is an Apple product launch in sight, the world media goes to work on one single agenda, thinks on the same and does everything in relation to it, i.e the Apple product to be launched.

This time the hype was around the new iPad, even its name was being rumored to be iPad3 or iPad HD. The new iPad's name still not out but thankfully its specifications are, so lets see what this new launch has in offerings distinct from its predecessor -

1. Boasts of 2048 x 1536-pixel “retina” display powered by an A5X quad-core graphics chip.

2. A higher resolution display than your standard 1080p HDTV and 44% greater saturation than the iPad 2.

3. The device can attain maximum download speeds of up to 72Mbps using 4G LTE and 21Mbps with HSPA+.

4. Comes with 9.4mm wide and weighs 1.5lbs (slightly heavier than iPad 2).

5. Supports voice dictation (primarily needed for Siri) for English, French, German and Japanese.

But the elephant in the room is why would a person who owns iPad2 go in for New iPad? 

The above features may be a great extension to iPad2 but not sure if they are compelling enough to convince you to change your existing iPad2. May be much more was expected from this new launch and more importantly, what was needed was, a reason to change existing iPad2.

iPad2 has already been allowed iOS 5.1 upgrade, the looks are pretty much the same and comes with Dual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A9 processor which is sufficient for the needs that iPad satisfy. 

At the end of the day, it gets down to personal choice of replacing your current iPad2 with new one or you are smart to wait a little longer for a much more upgraded one. 

But surely, if you were planning to buy one - suggestion lies heavily in favour of the new iPad.

Nonetheless, this piece on the table from Apple will, as expected, surely set the sales registers ringing.