Unless you’re living under a rock off the grid somewhere, you’ve no doubt already heard about “The new iPad” which was announced on March 8th, 2012. And even if you are living off the grid somewhere, that probably means you’re some sort of hipster and then you probably have an Apple shrine somewhere in your mud hut… or whatever the hipsters are building to go green these days.

Did you notice I didn’t say iPad 3? That’s not what Apple is calling this gem.

No.

It’s “The new iPad” or “Third Generation iPad”

But to those of us who’ve already been calling it the iPad 3 for months now, it’s “The iPad 3.” Although, I probably best watch how loud I say that. Would certainly hate to get the Apple police knocking on my door. They do that sort of that, you know. Just not my door per say… but doors have been knocked on just the same.

So let’s take a quick moment to talk about the upgrades and improvements that “The new iPad” has over the iPad 2.

Side By Side of The new iPad and iPad 2

Chip Display High-resolution Retina display 2048-by-1536-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi) Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously Camera iSight camera: 5-megapixel with autofocus; tap to focus; face detection in still images; video recording, HD (1080p) up to 30 frames per second with audio; video stabilization FaceTime camera with VGA-quality photos and video at up to 30 frames per second Photo and video geotagging ‘ Wireless Wi-Fi Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) Bluetooth 4.0 technology Carriers Wi-Fi + 4G for AT&T 4G LTE (700, 2100 MHz)2; UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) Data only3 Wi-Fi + 4G for Verizon 4G LTE (700 MHz)2; CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz); UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) Data only3 Price Wi-Fi $499.00 16GB $599.00 32GB $699.00 64GB Wi-Fi + 4G $629.00 16GB $729.00 32GB $829.00 64GB

Chip   Display 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi) Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously Camera Back camera: Video recording, HD (720p) up to 30 frames per second with audio; still camera with 5x digital zoom Front camera: Video recording, VGA up to 30 frames per second with audio; VGA-quality still camera Tap to control exposure for video or stills Photo and video geotagging over Wi-Fi Wireless Wi-Fi Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology Carriers Wi-Fi + 3G for AT&T UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) Data only4 Wi-Fi + 3G for Verizon CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz) Data only4       Price Wi-Fi $399.00 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G $529.00 16GB

^{Side by side iPad comparison courtesy of the lovely folks at Apple.}

So let put that into real and useable terms.

What Differences Are in The new iPad?

• Improved graphics processing and screen resolution (Retina display).
• Improved wireless coverage with 4G on Verizon.
• Improved still camera and HD video capability.
• Improved bluetooth technology.

Everything else is pretty much the same. There are some improved apps and software that Apple mentioned at the press release, but those will be available for either iPad.

Will I get “The new iPad”? Honestly, probably not. It’s not because I don’t love it. It’s not because I don’t want one. It’s because I don’t have the strength as a parent to keep my electronic toys away from my toddler and I have decided that one iPad is enough for a 2 year old.

Guess that means I don’t get served the first glass of chai green tea at the hipster club meeting ever again.

I’ve done it… I’ve deprived my toddler of 2 iPads. Will he ever forgive me? Will I ever get served the 1st glass of Starbucks?

But don’t let me spoil it for those of you who either don’t have kids or have better parenting skills that me. Because if “The new iPad” happen to just fall into my lap, I wouldn’t be offended in the slightest. I just can’t spend another $500 on a toy for my kid. 

Order Your iPad!

If you haven’t already, go ahead and head over to the Apple Store and pre-order “The new iPad”

Or if you have decided that you don’t care about not being among the hippest of the hipsters, and can deal without 4g, the improve camera, graphics, and screen technology, then you might want to save yourself a $100 and go with an iPad 2.

As you already know, Every Nurse Needs a Tablet!

hispter image via Tablet Nation