Underwhelming is the name of the iPad 2, but there is a sliverlining.
First off all, when I went to the Apple site to watch Steve Jobsbrainwash me into suspending reality and running to an Apple Store andbuying the latest and greatest. Well, even with a 20" iMac with a 2 GHzIntel Core 2 Duo processor and 2 GB of RAM running Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.8, I could notview Steverino at Apple's site. Seems I needed to have OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.
I don't expect to watch a presentation of either one of my PowerPClaptops. I don't. They don't have the processor speed or the video card- but why can't run it on my big work iMac?
'Cause you ain't got no Snow Leopard.
Not to worry though. I could use my tiny iPod touch, which keptcrashing on me. Perhaps that broke the Apple spell.
The iPad 2 comes in black or white.
Yes, I know that the iPad 2 has anew processor and two video cameras, and that it's been slimmed down andnow comes in two colors! But it still lacks an SD Card slot and a USBslot and alternative methods of moving data to and from the iPad.
Say I'm visiting a friend and who has a classic CD I want to add tothe iTunes library on my iPad. Can't get there from here. Same thingwith a DVD. With a USB port and an external disc drive....
Want to use Bluetooth to sync or even get info from a computer oranother portable device? Want to move anything to anywhere? Ya gottause the cable and iTunes.
Isn't this just a little bit - I don't know - confining?
What about backing up the iPad? Here comes that cable again. If thedern thing would just allow you to back up it up to an external driveor even an SD Card, you could cut the cord to your Mac and back up theiPad when you are away from your computer. I thought that was whatportable devices were for, to save you from dragging a larger devicewith you when you are out and about.
Now what is the sliver lining in all this? The falling value of theiPad 1. Apple is already selling refurbished iPads(16 GB with WiFi only) for $349 dollars online. I don't doubt that theterribly trendy among us will be selling their original iPads inanticipation of buying an iPad 2.
Wait on buying a used iPad, as I feel that the cellar has not beenreached in terms of price.
Me, I'm going to see if I can pick up a refurbished one.
Low End Mac (or iPad) - it's the way to go! 
