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Apple iPad 2 Information Center

The 3rd Generation iPad was announced on March 7th.

Mostly an internal update of the original, the iPad 2 features a 33% thinner form factor, and includes a faster processor, more RAM, and onboard cameras.

Apple's A5 mobile processor, also found in the iPhone 4S, is a dual core ARM based CPU with about twice the processing power of the original iPad's A4, at least on paper. And the GPU is said to provide about 9x the power of the 1st Gen iPad. Apple has not detailed the clock speed of the A5, though it is thought to be clocked at 1GHz.

The iPad 2 also has a front-facing camera for FaceTime chats and Photo Booth, and a rear facing camera for photos and HD video.

Video playback is possible on the iPad 2 itself, of course, but an HDMI out dongle also allows you to output video (up to 1080p) to a TV or monitor.

The screen size and resolution remain unchanged from the 1st Gen iPad.

iOS 5 powers the iPad 2, and is also now available for download for older iPad and iPhone models, and the last two generations of the iPod touch.

The iPad 2 comes with either a black or white bezel and has the same memory and pricing structure as the original iPad. It is also available in Wi-Fi only and different Wi-Fi + 3G models for AT&T and Verizon.

The iPad 2 was replaced as Apple's most advanced tablet in March 2012 by the New iPad, or iPad 3. The iPad 2 will still be sold, though, with 16GB of onboard storage for $399 (Wi-Fi) and $529 (Wi-Fi + 3G). Versions with more storage will remain available for purchase until they run out.

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