[Peew971]

I'd say he should get an original Xoom at a good price and update it to Ice Cream Sandwich. Unless money isn't an issue and he gets the Transformer Prime. One thing I like about these is the UI and if it wasn't for app selections I would have picked one over my iPad.

[bpsmith]

Back on topic.

Quad core rumour shots from testing look interesting!?!

[Razor]

Originally Posted by Peew971

I'd say he should get an original Xoom at a good price and update it to Ice Cream Sandwich. Unless money isn't an issue and he gets the Transformer Prime. One thing I like about these is the UI and if it wasn't for app selections I would have picked one over my iPad.

The ridiculous names that they give android products/OS just make me laugh.

Ice Cream Sandwich
Transformer Prime

[Razor]

Originally Posted by bpsmith

Back on topic.

Quad core rumour shots from testing look interesting!?!

Have you got a link?

[Peew971]

How much of dual core is used in iPad 2 that you already need quad core? I mean you can still run pretty much any app on the original iPad including Infinity Blade II and GTA 3 so what's the point of quad core now rather than say, in the iPad 4. It feels like it would be just for the specs sheet at this point, most developers would develop for all the iPads, not just the quad core ones.

[FallOutBoy]

Originally Posted by Peew971

How much of dual core is used in iPad 2 that you already need quad core? I mean you can still run pretty much any app on the original iPad including Infinity Blade II and GTA 3 so what's the point of quad core now rather than say, in the iPad 4. It feels like it would be just for the specs sheet at this point, most developers would develop for all the iPads, not just the quad core ones.

Presumably to give it the power to run that lovely new retina display whilst still maintaining a nice snappy speed at all times!

Older iPads will still run the apps but the new version will run them in higher res, so the quad-core would be needed.

[Peew971]

So yeah, not much point unless you're desperate for retina display. The only thing I'm interested in is whether or not they finally modernise the UI, anything else might just be a bit of a gimmick.

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Razor

Have you got a link?

Here you go.

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Peew971

So yeah, not much point unless you're desperate for retina display. The only thing I'm interested in is whether or not they finally modernise the UI, anything else might just be a bit of a gimmick.

We've not long moved to iOS5, so there won't be a massive UI overhaul until iOS6, which would presumably arrive later this year.

[Razor]

Originally Posted by FallOutBoy

Older iPads will still run the apps but the new version will run them in higher res, so the quad-core would be needed.

Obviously it depends on how the ipad is programmed but surely this would be the job of the gpu rather than the cpu?

[Razor]

Originally Posted by Azzin

Here you go.

Cheers mate.

[RobM]

Multi-core CPU's aren't just about horsepower and processing ability. If the OS and applications are developed to correctly use the processor cores available, you can see massive improvements in battery life, heat, multitasking etc as well as sheer number crunching.

For instance, if you're just tinkering with settings, checking email, that sort of light use, the OS can shut down three of the four cores and still offer a good experience, but with a massive reduction in battery life and heat. Do something more intensive and other cores are brought into life to cater for it. If the OS supports it, you can also have different threads running on different cores to spread the load and ensure one App doesn't hinder the performance of any others. Background tasks for instance run on Zero, leaving the other three for foreground applications.

So four lower power cores (in terms of clock speed and voltage) can improve all areas over and above single and dual-core processors.

It's not all about horsepower

[FallOutBoy]

Originally Posted by Razor

Obviously it depends on how the ipad is programmed but surely this would be the job of the gpu rather than the cpu?

What RobM said lol and also, surely the quad core would help to power the more powerful gpu for handling the high res display too, along with enhanced battery life, heat management etc

[Razor]

Originally Posted by FallOutBoy

What RobM said lol and also, surely the quad core would help to power the more powerful gpu for handling the high res display too,

I know its slightly different but thats not really how it works with pc's extra cores do no benefit gpu performance if the core speeds are the same. If the core speeds are higher on these new cpus and a new more powerful gpu is used then the slower core speed may bottle neck the gpu.

Assuming the clock speeds are the same the 2 extra cores that a quad core cpu will bring would only really help gpu performance if there were dual gpus being used.

This extra screen res will definitely need more gpu power, is there any word on a gpu upgrade?

Its going to be interesting to see the final specs and where it benefits the performance. I think that a quad core cpu will help with apps that heavily tax the cpu like video/music editing, and strategy games. It will also help with multitasking.

[chukwe]

More rumour

Alleged iPad 3 Development Photos Confirm Key Details | Gizmodo Australia

[bpsmith]

This is old and what I posted about days ago. Subsequently linked to in this thread afterwards by somebody else. Did you read the thread by any chance?

[chukwe]

I didn't know it's old. Sorry

[AndrewH13]

Apple iPad 3 looks set for March release | whathifi.com

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by AndrewH13

Apple iPad 3 looks set for March release | whathifi.com

Nothing new in that article.

[AndrewH13]

No, but mainstream press quoting it. Thought it might be of interest to some if not you.

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by AndrewH13

No, but mainstream press quoting it. Thought it might be of interest to some if not you.

Sorry, didn't mean to sound harsh, there's still no "news" there.

Plus-it's What HiFi... ;-)

[Kev12]

Originally Posted by Azzin

Sorry, didn't mean to sound harsh, there's still no "news" there.

Plus-it's What HiFi... ;-)

Magazine snob

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Kev12

Magazine snob

Not really, I just don't class them as a reliable source of Apple/iPad information.

[Peew971]

Sorry I'm too lazy to link but according to The Verge the iPad 3 will be very similar in design to the iPad 2 and sport dual core rather than quad core. In line with what I find logical.

[bpsmith]

I read that too, although the Dual Core chip is said to be significantly faster.

[Azzin]

All Things Digital are normally bang on the money: Apple to Announce iPad 3 First Week in March - John Paczkowski - Mobile - AllThingsD

[dr no]

I think its all more or less falling into place now:

faster CPU - likely dual-core as opposed to quad-core
faster GPU
better camera - both front and rear facing - I'd guess 5MP rear
higher resolution - not necessarily at the level of retina display density but higher
same shape/size - more or less as smart covers are likely compatible - possible a mm thicker
bigger battery but same battery life at best - due to the hungrier display and processing
same storage - 128gb would be nice
March release - 2nd week in the US/ 3rd week in UK
Cost - most likely same as it currently is

Thats all I can think of for now.

[WozzaTT]

Originally Posted by dr no

I think its all more or less falling into place now:

faster CPU - likely dual-core as opposed to quad-core
faster GPU
better camera - both front and rear facing - I'd guess 5MP rear
higher resolution - not necessarily at the level of retina display density but higher
same shape/size - more or less as smart covers are likely compatible - possible a mm thicker
bigger battery but same battery life at best - due to the hungrier display and processing
same storage - 128gb would be nice
March release - 2nd week in the US/ 3rd week in UK
Cost - most likely same as it currently is

Thats all I can think of for now.

If that's accurate I'm not sure I'll 'upgrade' from the 2. Only thing I'm really interested in is a higher resolution screen but it would have to be significantly better than on the 2.

[dr no]

Originally Posted by WozzaTT

If that's accurate I'm not sure I'll 'upgrade' from the 2. Only thing I'm really interested in is a higher resolution screen but it would have to be significantly better than on the 2.

I'll upgrade solely for the resolution.
It is looking/rumoured to be 2048x1536 so I would be very happy with that.
I would prefer it to be a lot lighter but that is very unlikely.

[WozzaTT]

Originally Posted by dr no

I'll upgrade solely for the resolution.
It is looking/rumoured to be 2048x1536 so I would be very happy with that.
I would prefer it to be a lot lighter but that is very unlikely.

Is that a fair bit better than on the iPad 2? If so, I'll upgrade too - looking at photos on the iPad is one of the main uses I have for it.