Digital Foundry vs. iPad 2

By Richard Leadbetter Published 30 April, 2011

Why you should upgrade and how the A5 tech could power a new home console.

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While most reviews of Apple's iPad 2 dismiss the revised hardware as an accomplished, if underwhelming successor to the original, a technical breakdown of the new A5 processor reveals something quite different - an unprecedented leap in mobile games-playing power that could conceivably herald the arrival of a new home games console.

This is a hardware design that is about so much more than just a revised form factor and a bunch of cameras. With iPad 2, Apple is laying the groundwork for the future of its gaming business.

As evidenced by these Anandtech benchmarks, iPad 2's raw gaming performance represents anything from a 4x to 7x leap over what was seen in the original version of the tablet, redefining the current state-of-the-art for mobile gaming tech - at least until the launch of Sony NGP.

In this article we'll be looking at how that raw power has been utilised thus far by developers and answering the question of whether iPad 2 is a worthwhile upgrade for gamers over the original. From there, we'll be assembling a muscular body of evidence that suggests that the new A5 platform is powerful and scalable enough to form the basis for a new home console. With Apple's WWDC conference kicking off simultaneously with this year's E3, perhaps Nintendo's Project Cafe will not be the only new gaming hardware announced?

To begin with, let's tackle the basics. Away from the impressive raw specs, what does the extra power of iPad 2 add to iOS's gaming credentials in the here and now? Is there enough software out there to justify an upgrade if you're already using an iPhone 3GS or an existing A4 product such as iPad or iPhone 4?

One of the best technical workouts released so far is Epic Citadel - a bespoke playable demo Epic Games released in order to showcase Unreal Engine 3 operating on the iOS platform. At the time it was lauded as a new standard bearer for mobile graphics, but as the demo was picked apart it became clear that despite the superb visual quality, performance was best described as "variable". This was especially evident on iPad, where the same A4 processor needs to support a significantly higher resolution than iPhone 4 - 1024x768 versus the Retina display's 960x640.

Due to the fill-rate deficit, both Epic Citadel and later Infinity Blade actually ran smoother on iPhone/iPod Touch, so in what ways does iPad 2 redress the balance? Do we see a raw speed increase running code that has seen no new optimisation effort at all? Thanks to the HDMI mirroring function of the new hardware, this is something we can immediately put to the test.

Epic Citadel set a new standard for iOS visuals, but frame-rates were disappointing on iPad. With the power of iPad 2, performance automatically gets a boost to a consistent 35FPS.

There are a couple of intriguing elements to the analysis. Firstly, iPad 2 blitzes through the "guided tour" parts of the demo with remarkable ease, operating with a fairly consistent frame-rate of 35 frames per second. The fact that we see this level of consistency despite the very different levels of load being placed on the engine strongly suggests that frame-rate is being capped, with the obvious conclusion being that Epic Citadel on iPad 2 could in theory go much, much faster.

The 35FPS cap in itself is also intriguing as it seems like a rather arbitrary figure. As we've also seen recently in our Real Racing 2 tests, the frequency with which frames are output on iOS OpenGL games can be inconsistent with unique and duplicate frames bunched together, making it actually appear less smooth than the kind of locked 30FPS you might be used to from games like Fight Night: Champion and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. We see the same thing here, and indeed in many others games - RAGE HD for one.

Checking out John Carmack's latest iOS release offers up some interesting findings too. Unlike Epic Citadel, the game supports TV output on both iPad 1 and its successor, allowing us to put the two tablets up against one another in a head-to-head shootout.

It's difficult to avoid the conclusion that apps which are tightly optimised for the iPad and designed to run at a set performance level will see much benefit at all compared to the same code running on iPad 2. Carmack and his team appear to have hard-coded a frame-rate cap into RAGE that sees performance max out at around 30 frames per second, and as there has apparently been no new update to the game since iPad 2 shipped, it's no surprise that we see the same level of visual quality too.

The only real difference we see in this frame-rate analysis is the very occasional dip in performance on the first iPad, perhaps down to background tasks.

RAGE supports TV-out on both iPads, allowing us to compare performance directly. This game was tightly optimised for iPad 1 and differences in performance are minimal. Audio missing on iPad 1 here due to bugs in the game code - sound effects seem to stop working, bizarrely.

Clearly it's early days for the new iPad hardware, but it's very reasonable to expect software developers to push out new updates that take their existing games and add visual improvements that you'll only see on A5-equipped platforms. After all, the arrival of a new piece of hardware potentially allows them to resell their existing library of games to a whole market, and with A5 set to debut in iPhone 5 and potentially other devices, that pool of potential customers is only going to increase in size as time goes by.

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Comments (72) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • CaptainQuint #1 1 year ago

    I have one and it's an absolute dream use.

    Fanboy talk? Nah - I avoided the first gen completely, but after using an iPod Touch to browse the net (and liking it) I became intrigued at the idea of what an iPad might be like to do the same, so I got an iPad 2.

    Those who say it's expensive for what it is (or does) and say a laptop does everything it does and more miss the point entirely. An iPad is not a laptop replacement. Indeed, the device caters to those who appreciate instant access to media and high quality user experience. It does both superbly. I haven't the time to browse at a laptop, but an an iPad allows me to do that and more anywhere (sofa, kitchen, toilet!) and it is instant.

    If you can afford one, get one.

  • handsonhips101 #2 1 year ago

    I'm not keen.

    It's essentially a big phone without the phone call apsect. That combined with the pack of buttons leaves me cold. I like buttons. I think they are integral to the gaming experience.

    Yes it may look good etc but playing racing games, fighting games and first person shooters on touchscreen devices sucks.

    Gimme a 3ds or ngp alongside my phone.

  • handsonhips101 #3 1 year ago

    *lack not pack

    Bloody touchscreen.

  • mowgli #4 1 year ago

    I used to laugh at the thought of an Apple home console but now they have the online infrastructure with digital downloads practically perfectly, it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see an Apple home console be the first to offer DD only. Devs would flock to like they have the idevices. The App store's openness to devs to the extent of setting and easily varying prices is great for us consumers and would be the only possible way to succeed with a DD only home console.

  • krudster #5 1 year ago

    It's easy to write off the iPad as a big iPod touch. Of course it is, but that's the lazy argument of people who haven't spent time understanding what it is that they do better.

    Having done all the roundups over the past year, the fact is that an awful lot of the iOS games just work much better on a bigger screen (Osmos and Battleheart instantly spring to mind). It's worth it purely from a gaming perspective, never mind the myriad of other functions, and although it's a big initial outlay, the games are so incredibly cheap that you soon get over that.

  • Widge #6 1 year ago

    I can see the iPad being an awesome creative force. I'm loving the DAW apps that are coming out and getting greater connectivity between them. The greater real estate on the screen is a huge benefit. I am literally a few functions short from them becoming system sellers.

    The gaming side is overplayed and seriously suffering from an inferiority complex. Constant shouting about how it can do the proper graphics etc. It comes down to games and the bare facts are that everything offered is completely smashed by what is on a home console, PC or other portable platform. Big budget graphical games do not lend themselves to the iPads input restrictions and this can never be changed with throwing more processing at it.

    What the iPad needs is less FPS, driving, fighting games being thrown at it. More sRPGs and RTS (imagine CandC for example). These could be lavish but also take the input and be the prime interface type for the genres. Sadly, these are two genres that attract niche audiences and we'll continue seeing "almost like" interpretations of big name titles. Something I believe the PSP was mocked for.

  • dr_zoidthrob #7 1 year ago

    So presumably we'll see the same style of article for the latest Android tablets with Tegra2 chips in.

  • da3en #8 1 year ago

    Who would want that crap? The iPad is just a big iPod touch... or wait... the iPod touch is just a small iPad - anyway, I'm sure my gaming pc is is just a big netbook; and my car is just a small bus. I think I got it now.

  • Fab4 #9 1 year ago

    I personally don't care whether its the future of gaming...I luuurve mine no matter.

  • Sharzam #10 1 year ago

    Are we getting an article on the new android tablets? you know the ones also with dual core CPUs and with bespoke tablet operating systems (honeycomb) and just as capable as the ipad and in same ways more so eg can use android devices with usbs and your own hdmi leads.

    Whats that no! Ah of course the media obsession with promoting apple, i forgot about that.
    Edited by Sharzam at 30/04/11 @ 10:27

  • richensw #11 1 year ago

    I'm waiting for a higer res screen.

    My first gen ipad just looks ugly after using an iphone 4.

    Edit: Well not ugly, I just can't 'not see' the massive pixels :p
    Edited by richensw at 30/04/11 @ 11:12

  • MiniAmin #12 1 year ago

    I used to call the iPad "a big iPod Touch", and when I actually used one, I realised that a big iPod Touch is actually a great thing.

    That being said, there are now many android tablets available on the market, can we get some wider coverage?

  • CaptainQuint #13 1 year ago

    @Sharzam

    +1

    @richensw

    No disrespect, but you must be super fussy (or just anal), because in my opinion the clarity of the iPad 2's screen is outstanding. The current resolution (for a screen of its size) is absolutely plenty.

  • DoKtoR #14 1 year ago

    @handsonhips101: "It's essentially a big phone without the phone call apsect."

    ... what about FaceTime? It's a VOIP app that lets you communicate with others via WiFi.

    I think Apple may be converting me to their Mac-dom; it started with the 5th gen iPod classic 80GB (which shat on my Creative Zen's measly 6GB), then when I had enough of my Sony Ericsson C902 crashing and going slow on me I replaced it with an iPhone 3GS, now the iPad 2 (which I've done my homework on) looks like a damn fine replacement for my ASUS laptop (which 2yrs old is already outpaced by Apple's A5 chip)... I say if it's good technology then get it regardless of the brand (Apple, Sony, IBM, Microsoft, who cares?).

  • Killerbee #15 1 year ago

    @krudster:

    "It's easy to write off the iPad as a big iPod touch. Of course it is, but that's the lazy argument of people who haven't spent time understanding what it is that they do better."

    I must admit that's exactly where I am when it comes to the iPad. I have an iPod Touch and my wife has an iPhone 4. We both agree they're great, but the big hook about them is their portability. The ease with which you can put them in your pocket for mobile gaming, and the ability to quickly check emails or websites without having to sit down at the PC or cart a laptop around.

    But... I just don't see any of the games I play on my Touch - much as I like them - being made any better on an iPad. Fundamentally, if I want to sit and play a game in my home, I'll put on the PC or a proper console and play a proper game on that.

    There's also the cost. I bought a Windows 7 laptop with a Core i5 460M processor and a 1GB Geforce 425M graphics card for £499 earlier this year. Okay, it's not the best gaming machine ever, but it's more than adequate for Civ, Fallout: New Vegas or Portal 2.

    Then there's the second big problem - unless you count Civ Rev, I can't play any of those on iOS. It just doesn't have the games yet, and I don't see Apple changing that any time soon.

  • spudsbuckley #16 1 year ago

    @#16

    How is an overpriced, gimped laptop replacement "good technology"?
    Edited by spudsbuckley at 30/04/11 @ 11:13

  • richensw #17 1 year ago

    Actually I'm waiting for the 3G version of the ASUS Transformer. Finally someone has made a proper netbook-tablet.

  • CaptainQuint #18 1 year ago

    @spudsbuckley

    What part of "it's not a laptop replacement" don't you understand?

    Actually, don't answer that - you'll no doubt just increase my suspicions that you're a just another whining pauper.

  • spudsbuckley #19 1 year ago

    What is it then? What's the point of it?

    It's not a particularly good gaming platform, it's not particularly good for doing office-y stuff, it's overpriced. What's the point?

  • septimus #20 1 year ago

    Wonder how much spit and vitriol this article will raise in the comments? It's apple so has to be shit etc.

    Great device and nice to see this article on EG.

  • Dismiss #21 1 year ago

    I decided to go ahead and get one and I must say it comes close to being the perfect portable system for light work and media consumption. As a writer and translator, it's fairly important for me to be able to quickly type notes and text snippets and have round the clock access to email and IM solutions. Reading magazines and comics is also a nice experience (for reading books I'd rather have an e-ink screen). Furthermore, the battery life is tremendous value and the single most important reason to get a tablet.

    As a games machine, though... I'm not convinced. Sure, Puzzle Quest 2 and World of Goo are a delight on the machine, but virtual controls are an abomination in my opinion. As long as there are decent games optimized for the touch screen, sure, I will use it for games. However, it will always be a second or third choice, no matter how powerful it is.
    Edited by Dismiss at 30/04/11 @ 11:46

  • uknortherner2000 #22 1 year ago

    @CaptainQuint: "Actually, don't answer that - you'll no doubt just increase my suspicions that you're a just another whining pauper."

    Spoken like a true Apple fanboy. Anyone who speaks out against their devices clearly do not have the cash for one. Funny that, I do have the cash, I've tried these oversized iPhones, and I still think they're overpriced tat.

    I'll stick to using my netbook on the move - it actually does stuff - you know like browsing the internet, chatting on Skype and checking my emails all at the same time.

    Anyway, I believe it was Jobs himself who proclaimed to the sheep that the iPad was a laptop replacement.

  • CaptainQuint #23 1 year ago

    @spudsbuckley

    The poster going by the name of 'Dimiss' described it perfectly: The iPad is for media consumption. Instant media consumption. That's music, video, gaming, networking and web browsing - delivered instantly. No boot required - just press a button and what you want is there. I'm typing this on one now, sitting on the sofa. If on the other hand I had to boot up my laptop in order to reply to you now, then I wouldn't be replying to you in the first place.

    It's for people who don't want sit at a pc or laptop. It isn't a laptop in any way shape or form.

  • septimus #24 1 year ago

    It's unlikely that you will see an article like this on Honeycomb as the market is a broken and disjointed mess in both hardware and software.

    Android for innovation, Apple and RIM PlayBook style devices for actual development.

  • munki83 #25 1 year ago

    Would an apple console effectively kill off this generation? With the popularity of their products would development switch from AAA and indie titles on the current consoles to the huge market that will buy Apple Anything. Apple tends to be a dominant brand in any sector it takes on and while it hasn't overtaken the PC many people would take a Mac over a PC given the choice. Also the "casual" market has had an effect on this generation of consoles. Imagine another huge influx of casual gamers into our market. It would make the core gamer market even smaller than it is at the moment and eventually we may not be catered for by the industry we supported.

  • mowgli #26 1 year ago

    Spuds is always spazzing up these discussions though with absolute bullshit. So he can choose between a spacker or a pauper.

  • CaptainQuint #27 1 year ago

    @uknortherner

    Whatever you say, fella.

    For the record, I'm too consumed with all kinds of variety in my life (including caring for my family) to be a fanboy of anything, let alone Apple's latest fancy gadget to hit the market. Let's have some perspective here.

    If I loved beans on toast and I took offense at your suggestion that it was a rubbish thing to eat, would that make me a beans on toast fanboy in your world?

  • patootik #28 1 year ago

    The thing I most dislike about those who love the Apple brand and it's products is their argument that in order to have an opinion contrary to them you must by default be too poor to afford an Apple product. The brand loyalty that Apple commands is so strong that it's followers actually praise the high price points, and use them to show how "not poor" they are.

    Perhaps people are not poor, but simply like to spend their money on other things.

    I owned an original iPod once, and once all my songs were on it, I sold my CD collection as I was moving country. Then I tried plugging my iPod into a new computer it told me that in order to add new songs I would have to wipe my library and start again, and then a few days later the iPod broke, the screen went crazy, couldn't find any songs, and then wouldn't turn on at all.

    I'm sure this is a rare occurrence and I was just unlucky, but it was enough to put me off Apple products to this day. Plenty of friends have iPhones, iPads and Macs, they love them, but they just do nothing for me.

    I own all three consoles, 2 modern laptops, a recording studio and a bunch of instruments. Not poor, just different priorities.

  • mowgli #29 1 year ago

    Love the attack of the pauper argument followed by the gypo tactics in copying and then selling the cd collection. Stay classy.

  • patootik #30 1 year ago

    @mowgli

    I moved from Australia to Ireland to live, I wasn't going to take 200 CDs with me when I had all the songs on my iPod. I had the choice of bringing them to the dump or selling them, I chose to sell. If that makes me a gypo, then so be it.

  • CaptainQuint #31 1 year ago

    "The thing I most dislike about those who love the Apple brand and it's products is their argument that in order to have an opinion contrary to them you must by default be too poor to afford an Apple product. The brand loyalty that Apple commands is so strong that it's followers actually praise the high price points, and use them to show how "not poor" they are.

    Perhaps people are not poor, but simply like to spend their money on other things."

    @Patootik

    Fair comment, but I stand by opinion that whiners and naysayers (of anything expensive and shiny) are inherent tight-arses and skinflints who absolutely desire such materialistic things, but cannot justifiably afford them. Take Apple out of the discussion entirely, indeed; Apple itself has nothing to do with this at all, and the argument I'm making remains exactly the same.

    Edited by CaptainQuint at 30/04/11 @ 12:23

  • Bahumet #32 1 year ago

    Regardless of whether its actually any good for anything...ipads in particular still have a very high "what a wanker!" factor to overcome!

  • uknortherner2000 #33 1 year ago

    I believe Mowgli's arguments sum up the typical intellect of an Apple fanboy. Now you're either a pauper or a "gypo", whatever that is. Clearly, money can't buy class, eh?

  • CaptainQuint #34 1 year ago

    @Bahumet

    Says the guy posting on a games website's comments section on a sunny Saturday afternoon ;)

  • patootik #35 1 year ago

    @CaptainQuint

    Oh I agree that the brand should be entirely irrelevant. There are plenty of expensive thing I would like but can't afford at the moment, an Audi R8, or a 55'' Bravia 3D tv, but that doesn't stop me admiring the object. It's perfectly feasible to admire an object you cant afford, as well as dislike an object you can afford.

    And while there are obviously some bitter people who will hate something simply because they cannot buy it, they should not be used to generalise and dismiss the valid opinions of those who for genuine reasons dislike a product whether they can afford it or not.

    To me that kind of generalisation comes off as smug and arrogant, whereas you could actually counter their arguments by showing why you like it so much. Of course if they're just trolling ignore them.

  • TheNinkyNonk #36 1 year ago

    "It's just a big iPod touch"

    Sigh.

    Indeed. And a mansion is just a big house, an M5 just a big car, a projector just a big TV and a queen-size just a big bed.

    But they make you feel different and experience things more richly, don't they?
    Edited by TheNinkyNonk at 30/04/11 @ 12:39

  • Widge #37 1 year ago

    Well yes, I think Apple's tie to iTunes and the entirely ridiculous insistance on wiping the device if you so much dare as let it breath near another computer is a travesty. iTunes is terrible. The device is a glorified solid state drive, I grasp the concept of folder trees, please at least give me the option of managing things via windows without the need to use software.

    Outside of that, I know that any DAW that appears on the iPhone/Pad won't be able to hold a candle to Ableton on a desktop/laptop. However the portability of being able to carry something around with me to make ideas on, that is small enough to carry every day without much thought, that is quick easy and simple to use without having to go through a powering up full OS rigmarole, that is the selling point there.

    You know sometimes you have to be in the mood to sit at a laptop, I find it a pain having to sit down, get my cable out for power, rest the thing on lap, deal with a touchpad instead of a mouse... in reality I'm finding all my net time is done on an iPhone as I lie semi conscious on the sofa. It is really good for this. Complimenting existing PC units not replacing.

    Also aware that more than Apple make these kinds of devices, just so happens that Apple is streaking away in the DAW market. Probably because the other units are spending half their time trying to port across bobbins games experiences. Of course, I'm assuming here, I bet they don't plug into a PC and state "Hi! I'm going to wipe all your shit off now?". Apple's aren't wonder perfect devices and anyone who fights a battle to say that every single aspect of them are head and shoulders above the competition is a mental. They do a lot of good things though.

  • Widge #38 1 year ago

    Oh and I'll be buying an NGP for portable gaming because, well, THE GAMES WILL BE BETTER.

  • GreyBeard #39 1 year ago

    The vast majority of iOS games are sold to iPhone/iTouch users, not iPad users. That's a fact.

    Its why universal apps are more common than iPad specific builds, and why any advantages offered by the iPad2 are fairly meaningless at this point.

    Its a great machine, but until its specs are the standard not the bleeding edge support is going to be thin on the ground. Simple economics.

  • CaptainQuint #40 1 year ago

    @patootik

    Yeah, I'm well aware that a frequent byproduct of being straight with people and not beating about the bush is the perception of smugness and arrogance. It just tough shit though, in it? I'm merely telling it how I see it, harsh though my approach may be.

    I'm going to get negged to hell for this, but hey ho it's just a bit of a larrrf:

    When an iPad is turned on for the first time, a short questionnaire is presented which asks a few questions about the purchaser such as Age, Location and Profession. Apple obviously wants to get a good idea of their demographic, which I think is fair enough.

    For the Profession question there is a long list of choices to select from, but funnily enough there is no option for 'Factory Worker', 'Burger Flipper' and most tellingly of all, 'Dolite'.

    I wonder why that could be?

  • youhavenomail #41 1 year ago

    I love writing in the contents section of Eurogamer while taking a dump...

    ...

    ...that's better. Now what was I talking about again?

  • Lexxuk #42 1 year ago

    The main problem with any iapple device is the draconian itunes system. You develop an amazingly good game, great in fact, best game of a generation and still amazingly playable 15 years on (think Transport Tycoon). You develop it cross platform and then push it out to the world as well as to the itunes store. Your game is now in the hands of the 1984 police, if they don't think your game should be on the iwoteva they won't publish it, it may simply because in the help file you reference other systems "also available on android..." = instant reject.

    Then you get a major game company (Square Enix for instance) who spend a few million developing a jRPG with 100 staff working on the payroll who are not only developing the game but also DLC (which you can then only offer through itunes so crapple take their 30% cut), you need to make the dosh back so set the price at a reasonable £29.99, how can an item for £29.99 compete against thousands of items that are 99p? "What, I can buy 30 games instead of that one, bugger that"

    How about premium AAAAAA games that require 8Gb of storage to install? You have to download that 8Gb to your iwatever which has a fixed amount of storage space so you have to faffle around with itunes (bloatware) to ensure you don't run out of drive space. It works well for steam but not so much for a ithingy.

    Finally, the complete lack of real controls, it's ok for simple games but when you get into complicated games where you need to see the screen and not your thumb, or need to press a combo of 3 buttons the control system lets you down.

    The reason apple sells many games isn't because it's a good gaming platform (far from it) it's because apple devices are now ubiquitous chav devices, every 14 year old and their 2 year old kid owns one which means they have access to the games on their device.

  • patootik #43 1 year ago

    @CaptainQuint

    Lol, fair enough. Though to be fair, many software applications and programs ask for that kind of info, and I don't think I've ever seen "dolite" as an option lol, and for the others like burger flipper they usually have euphemisms like "Customer Service", "Sales" or "Hospitality".

    Peoples personal financial circumstances can fluctuate drastically during the course of a lifetime, so to take the piss at someone based on the amount of spending power they currently have might come back to bite you in the arse at some stage lol, just saying.

    Anyway I think we should just agree to differ. At least you stand behind your argument and don't mince words.

    *edited for spelling
    Edited by patootik at 30/04/11 @ 13:13

  • christotten #44 1 year ago

    Ironic that I can't play these videos on mine though !!!! Can't sites switch to web technologies that don't require third party flash? Also I love your app for iPhone (which does play vids properly) but there's no iPad version ! I like my iPad so far, instant on, only charge overnight, use all day with no battery problems - like someone said it's not meant to be a laptop, it has exactly the opposite - boot up/start up, crap battery, can't lie on the sofa using it - different experience with a tablet, they ain't goin away and for now no getting away from the fact that Apple still have the best one (I did look at others but not gambling my money on half finished products, that really is the definition of a fan boy!!)

  • miiiguel #45 1 year ago

    It's a great device, I've tried one, still I don't find it any use for it. That must mean I'm a pauper or a gypo, it doesn't really matter how much money I have or haven't, it's all about having a iOS device.
    Oh well..., I'm sorry, I'm not part of the classy rich people.

  • UncleLou #46 1 year ago

    What is it then? What's the point of it?

    It's not a particularly good gaming platform, it's not particularly good for doing office-y stuff, it's overpriced. What's the point?

    To annoy you. Works like a charm!



  • UncleLou #47 1 year ago

    It's a great device, I've tried one, still I don't find it any use for it.

    No, that's perfectly alright. I feel the same about the 360, 3DS, and motorcycles. What's the problem?

  • rogermellie #48 1 year ago

    I don't have one, but played with my Dad's iPad 1 and it's ace. I personally never found a use for netbooks, but I can see why people buy iPads as they're a joy to use.

  • CamberGreber #49 1 year ago

    I never get IN the TOILET. YUCK

  • arcam #50 1 year ago

    I feel the same about the 360, 3DS, and motorcycles. What's the problem?

    No problem, but then people here aren't telling you that you're a pauper for not liking motorcycles, or that you just don't understand them.

  • humanchu #51 1 year ago

    I love my iPad and once people get over the issues of the brand and how it relates to other device formats they/you will too.
    It is simply a very nice and pleasant device.

  • UncleLou #52 1 year ago

    No problem, but then people here aren't telling you that you're a pauper for not liking motorcycles, or that you just don't understand them.

    Probably because I don't constantly post in threads related to things I am not interested in like a retard.

  • Bagpuss #53 1 year ago

    Scary to think what the Sony NGP will be able to deliver, when you think that it uses the 4 core version of this very same PowerVR chip in the Ipad 2, which only has 2 cores.

    Also with 2 extra CPU cores (although only 3 or the 4) CPU Cores are available to games, in the right hands the NGP could deliver immense mobile gaming.

  • miiiguel #54 1 year ago

    Probably because I don't constantly post in threads related to things I am not interested in like a retard.

    You think ppl should only comment on stuff they want/like/find it usefull ? How uninteresting the world would be. Discuss stuff, without name-calling, is, imo, healthy.

    @ bagpuss: indeed, I want to try than NGP now. I'm (wasn't) much into portable gaming, but I have been using my WP7 quite a lot, and it's not that "douchy" (I think, :) ). Hope it's confortable. Unconfortable to hold portable gaming is a deal breaker.
    Edited by miiiguel at 30/04/11 @ 15:16

  • frazzl #55 1 year ago

    There's nothing on the iPad I see worth playing, or haven't already played on another platform with physical (and hence in my opinion) superior controls. I don't mind waiting a minute for my laptop to boot up, and most of the work I have to do can't be done on an iPad (I can't code on an iPad which is a big problem for me since I write quite a bit of stuff using Latex). So in my case, and I am sure in plenty of other people's cases, an iPad compliments nothing. It's simply a waste of money. If you think it's a great device good for you. Then again I remember plenty of people loving their Tamagotchi toys back in the late 90's ; ).
    Edited by frazzl at 30/04/11 @ 15:40

  • telboy007 #56 1 year ago

    If anyone needs convincing of how awesome an iPad is they simply need to install flipboard and add the eurogamer.net feed, getting the website in a lovely magazine stylee to read through is a joy. It also instantly links through to the website as and when you choose articles to read fully. Sweet.

    Written while fapping on my iPad 2.

  • telboy007 #57 1 year ago

    "Also with 2 extra CPU cores (although only 3 or the 4) CPU Cores are available to games, in the right hands the NGP could deliver immense mobile gaming."

    We should keep our fingers crossed for decent battery life, not the space to fit what must be a huge iPad battery in there.

  • layleeloo #58 1 year ago

    @sharzam. Thats because ALL android tablets are utter shite! It's nothing to do with your hatred for Apple, my love for Apple - its simple fact. Go across the net and find one single review of an android app that is half decent or even considered comparable to an iPad, let alone better and I will eat my shorts. How many android tablets are already on sale at £99? I rest my case. Do some reading before you complain about the lack of Android tablet press - its out there, and its ALL shite.

  • Sharzam #59 1 year ago

    @Layleeloo

    I never said that the ipad was a bad product, ok i may not like apple as a company due to there lock-in and walled garden but doesnt mean they do not do half decent products. Althourgh i have a couple friends with iphones and would like to change to android but cannot because they have the choice of iphone with itunes or iphone with itunes (many different android products) due to there prevous bought apps, but thats a whole other topic. My main issue is i just dont like how the coverage is only at apple. Regards to your comments about the ipad being the only decent tablet (a rather fanboy statement, no) may i point you to a few alternatives

    [link url=http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/ipad-and-tablets/best-tablets-review-50002567/
    ]http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/ipad-and-table...[/link]

    [link url=http://www.which.co.uk/news/2011/02/top-10-best-android-tablets-to-look-out-for-245781/
    ]http://www.which.co.uk/news/2011/02/top-...[/link]

    If you enjoy using an apple product thats fine and that is what you enjoy, but never make out like they are the only option. I believe there should be a free press that can focus on many topics and products no just things with an apple logo.

    edit: Personally if i wanted a tablet i would be after Acers new one that came out in march.
    Edited by Sharzam at 30/04/11 @ 19:15

  • UncleLou #60 1 year ago

    You think ppl should only comment on stuff they want/like/find it usefull ?

    Discussion is fine as long as people have something constructive to say. Tedious, repeated, ignorant trolling though (see spudsbuckley) is not, hence my advice.

  • drumbaby #61 1 year ago

    Seems the people who actually own an iPad think they're awesome, me included.

    Then there's everyone else...

  • login_name #62 1 year ago

    I own an iPad, played around with iPad 2, will wait for iPad 3. Those that were on the fence last time should take the plunge though. I use mine every day, all over the house - I love it. It is overpriced though, purely a luxury item, and as far as gaming is concerned, after a year, I'm yet to be convinced. Most of the games are designed for phones and more often than not have awful controls. The are a few gems, but I sure as hell wouldn't recommend it as a gaming device, not at it's current price. An iPod would be a better choice or a cheap laptop.

  • Mentat_Idaho #63 1 year ago

    I was playing around on my mates iPad 2 the other day and it is pretty cool and easier to type on than my 3GS (which I'm using now). I don't know if I like the idea of an apple console though. We already have enough fanboy wars with the consoles we already have and apple users can be even more snooty than pc gamers and console gamers combined. And saying people are too poor to buy apple products kind of proves my point. Though I guess you could say apple users are too poor to pay more than a couple of quid for a game.

  • Snake_2011 #64 1 year ago

    have one still not shore about gaming 5mins in the bathroom that seems to be it then back to the PS3.
    Edited by Snake_2011 at 01/05/11 @ 01:15

  • napalm68 #65 1 year ago

    I wish they'd bring one out with a proper OS on it though. I mean, no matter what you say, the ipad IS just a big iPhone. It is a computer peripheral. It isn't independent of a computer. You can't natively browse network drives. You can't really have a printer. It is a bluetooth slave, not a master.

    I'm in an industry were we are really wanting tablet PCs (ones that can actually have peripherals), and they are starting to be more prevalent this year finally - but so few of them will actually run a full OS. Most are android. So essentially they are all just frigging peripherals.

    If Apple put one out with osx on it I'd jump at it, even if it was twice the price.

  • ChadSexington #66 1 year ago

    I'd be interested in an iPad as a media/Internet device if it had Flash. I can just about forgive its absence on the iPhone, but for an iPad to replace my MacBook as the main device I use to browse the Internet, it would have to have Flash.

    As for games, touch controls are useless for 99% of games and the iPad is too cumbersome to be the 'pad'.

    Overall, it's an expensive waste of money for idiots who have drunk the Apple Kool-Aid and must buy the latest device that Jobs and co. have shit out.

  • Weezer #67 1 year ago

    I bought a iPd day one, and I only yesterday turned on my DS because the missus took the iPad up to show her mom our holiday photos (oh yeah, it does a lot more than just games). I love gaming on it - and of course the Xbox is there for the likes of Mass Effect etc - but there are many games hat work brilliantly on the iPad. And I can't play Xbox in bed/on the train or plane, at my folk's house etc.

    Truth is, Apple - ie Steve Jobs - has (finally) recognised the value in gaming. And I doubt very much that any of the haters and whiners on this forum are going to stop them any time soon. Sad to say it, but after the novelty toy-nes of the Wii, the lacklustre DSi store, and its constant conveyor belt of remakes, Nintendo is dead to me. And if Apple wants to step in and fill that gap, then that's fine by me.

  • Trillion #68 1 year ago

    "bespoke playable demo" = tech demo?

  • Sildur #69 1 year ago

    If you're anything like me, when the iPad 2 came out you wondered what you would really use it for if you had one. You've got a computer to browse the internet, consoles to play games, etc. Now I would much rather pick up my iPad 2 than go to my computer to surf the net.

    We've also got every console on a 40" 200Hz 3D 1080p HD TV, powerful computers, PSP, 3DS, iPhones, etc... and I find myself playing with the iPad 2 more than any of them at the moment (except for playing Dead Space 2 in 1080p HD with surround sound - cannot be beat). The iPad 2 is just astounding for games. Modern Combat 2 online is incredible! As are the various racing games such as Real Racing 2 and Aslphalt 6.

    The iPad 2 has really put a nail in the coffin of the 3DS for me... sure, it might be twice the price, but it's worth it given everything else it does and the games look far more incredible on the huge iPad 2 screen. And watching TV/Movies on the iPad on the train to work is awesome.

    Get an iPad 2 over any other portal device - you won't be disappointed!

  • StooMonster #70 1 year ago

    napalm68: I'm in an industry were we are really wanting tablet PCs (ones that can actually have peripherals), and they are starting to be more prevalent this year finally - but so few of them will actually run a full OS.

    Tablet PCs running Windows Tablet edition (XP through Vista and 7) have been available for a decade, a couple of my friends have had several models of them over the last ten years ... they used to swear by them, saying how cool pen input was and rotating the top round for laptop/tablet configuration (Dell was a popular OEM) but everyone else went "Meh!" along with the rest of the world.

    Bill Gates pushed Tablet PC as the future before Steve Ballmer became CEO, but over the last decade very few people have bought tablet PCs that have peripherals and a full bloat OS on them.

    Today in 2011, I don't think any of them use tablet PCs anymore.

  • Kerome #71 1 year ago

    In the end you can't beat the market, and the market seems to like touch computing.

    As for iPad 2, I have one, enjoy using it very much, think it's a decent game device, and as usual the game experiences will have to be adapted to the device's inputs. I'm sure we'll see some great games on there - Infinity Blade is a good indication that it's possible - the main questions are around business models.

    The impact of the new hardware capabilities was not a surprise, anyone with experience in the industry would have seen that coming.

  • trubadman #72 1 year ago

    I want an iPad 2/3, but I think the interface needs to be improved, as people have already said it's just a magnified iphone, so much more could be done with the screen for the desktop. It looks a bit awkward looking to have 16 apps on a home screen with acres of space between each app. Regarding gaming, there have been a lot of of good games, but the fake on screen analogue controls etc have so far sucked and a remedy needs to be found, because you can have the best graphics in the world but if your control scheme is broken, you're not going anywhere