The iPad 2 is a 9.7" touch screen tablet computer designed and developed by Apple. It is in my opinion the best tablet computer on the market. To find out why I believe this is case please read my review below:

I ummed and arred for weeks before purchasing the iPad 2. You see, I already own the iPhone and the iPod was it really necessary for me to have the iPad too?
I gave in to temptation and embarked on a quest to find the cheapest option... Websites up and down the globe were visited until I found what I considered to be a good deal. In fact after wasting all that time searching I decided to purchase my iPad 2 from the Apple store website. Not only did £499 seem reasonable but the store itself was easy to navigate and was broken down into step by step sections making it much easier to understand and select the appropriate choices. For example you ticked the colour choice for your Ipad2 (black or white), you ticked the memory option and at each stage of selection you could view your basket to see if this had an impact on the price.
Several days after ordering the iPad 2 it arrived and I couldn't wait to get it set-up and ready to use. As you know with most things these days there are a number of steps you have to take before you can start playing with your new toy!

When I switched the iPad 2 on for the first time I was initially asked to select my language and country choice (these were very long lists and if you are not use to using touch screen devices make sure you take your time as setting up your iPad in a language you don't speak a word of; could have interesting consequences!

The next step asks to enable location services this allows maps and other applications to gather and use data to indicate your approximate location.
My iPad has a wifi facility meaning I can connect to the internet through a wireless network. I am yet to try connecting to the internet using a Micro Sim Card but I was given the option at time of purchase to order a sim which I may use at a later date. This will ultimately depend on cost.
After you go through these initial steps it's time to activate the iPad - I like that sound of that!

::: My first impressions of the iPad 2:::
I was quite surprised how big and heavy the iPad 2 actually was. I never read up on speciation's beforehand (silly me) but after using it a few times I'm quite pleased with the size (not so sure about the weight though).

For sensible people like yourself:
Item Height : 9 millimetres
Item Width: 24.1 centimetres
Screen Size: 24.638 centimetres

The screen is lovely and clear. It has an automatic rotation system whereby if you turn the default portrait screen to landscape the display will automatically display information in landscape mode. At times on the iPod and iPhone this became quite frustrating as it wasn't always my preferred display settings. So when I purchased the iPad I researched on google to see if there was a way to stop the rotation. I was very pleased to find you could lock the rotation to your preferred setting by going into the 'general settings' and using the mute volume switch as a 'locked' screen switch instead...

::: Keyboard :::
I was quite amazed how large the keyboard characters come up. Interesting there are some small marks (like you have on your computer keyboard) to identify where the home keys are for touch typist. This for me just didn't work as they were visible marks not tactile. Wouldn't it be wonderful if one day these keys were tactile? I do believe this will happen one day as the technology already out there on specialist devices for braille users.
With the already said rotating screen the qwerty keyboard rotates with it and is so much easier to use in landscape than portrait as you have more space for your fingers!

::: iTunes :::
If you purchase an Apple Product having an iTunes account is pretty essential if you want to download; music, videos, applications etc... I already had an account set-up so this was easy and straight forward I just needed to enter my user name and password and I could download whatever I wanted to. (this is account is linked to my bank account).

::: iCloud :::
iCloud what is this? That's a good question to be honest I haven't use iCloud but I understand it's a backing up system for your iPad over your wifi connection.
Another feature I haven't played with is 'find your iPad' which is like a gps facility which will show you where about your iPad is; if you happen to lose it or worse still it is stolen!
The following is what your iPad displays on its home screen when you first press that power button on:
Top line: Messages, Calendar, Notes, Reminders
Second Line: Maps, YouTube, Videos, Contacts
Third line: Game Centre, iTunes, App Store, Newstand
Fourth line: Facetime, Camera, Photobooth, Settings
On the shortcut task bar: Safari, Mail, Photos, Music
When you use app store and download your first app instructions pop up on how to manage applications.

::: Accessibility:::
Apple have really excelled when it comes to ensuring their products are accessible. There are facilities on the iPad 2 which give you the option to have either the zoomed text feature on or VoiceOver. Unfortunately it does not allow you to have both features at the same time. Is this necessary? Well yes as I familiar with individuals who use such systems some people like to have the option to hear what they are reading as reassurance.

::: VoiceOver :::
If you have the speech facility on, you learn slightly different finger strokes to that of the standard way of operating the iPad. For example rather than tapping on an icon once you tap once to hear what the icon says and then again to confirm you'd like to continue with this option.
The speed of the voice can be adjusted to speak faster or slower.

::: Zoom :::
You can zoom the text on the iPad 2 up to 500% which is great for those with low vision. Although navigating around the screen can be interesting! However at least the facility is available and at no extra cost!

You can also zoom text without switching the accessibility feature on; if you are accessing your mail for example and it's too difficult to read comfortably you can use two fingers; pretend you're pinching salt (on the display) the text will then enlarge. Just keep doing this action until you reach your desired size. To switch back to the original font size just double tap the iPad's screen.

You may not be aware but for some products to be accessible individuals have to purchase 'add ons' such as certain Nokia products which have the operating software to run speech programs but they do not come with the device. Therefore you have to source the screen reader and pay quite a lot for the privilege of seeing/hearing what we take for granted!
Another aspect which the iPad has incorporated is the facility for individuals with hearing impairments to access the 'Facetime' application. The iPad comes with two cameras where hand gestures, visual cues or a dry erase board can be used to enhance communication.

::: Conclusion :::
I am delighted with this purchase and although it costs a small fortune I know it will get a lot of use, I'll get my money's worth! I've even managed to get my mum and dad interested in one because using an iPad is so intuitive it's technology they are not scared of!

Like anything there are down points... buying accessories takes the cost up quite considerably. I knew before buying the iPad 2 sooner or later I'll need a bluetooth keyboard (this has happened sooner). Touch screen typing just doesn't work for me.

A USB port for transferring information would be useful. My partner tried to send me some videos via bluetooth the other day and although he found my iPad the connection kept dropping and it came up on my partner's laptop as a music device so we were unsuccessful!

However the good points far out weigh the bad. If you have a very generous family then I'd highly recommend you being good and asking for an iPad for Christmas 2011!