Performance iPad 2 Tablet
We can tell you with confidence that the iPad 2 is faster than the iPad. The benchmarks prove it. But how much speed does the dual-core A5 processor really add? In Linpack, which measures performance by solving a system of linear equations, the iPad 2 scored 546 MFlops per second, versus just 63 for the iPad. We also ran Geekbench for iOS, which quickly measures processor and memory performance. The iPad 2 notched 742, versus 458 for the iPad.
Lastly, we ran the Sunspider JavaScript benchmark, which measures JavaScript performance in the browser. The iPad 2 turned in a score of 2,146 milliseconds, versus 8,346 for the original iPad running iOS 4.3. (Lower numbers are better.) In terms of real-world performance, the iPad 2 did load certain apps faster, such as Real Racing HD (9.9 vs. 11.6 seconds) and Angry Birds HD (10.7 vs. 13 seconds). The iPad 2 was also a couple seconds quicker to load our huge library of 500-plus photos.
You'll see the A5 chip truly shine in apps that were specifically designed to leverage its dual-core power. Editing video on a tablet is no small task, so we were surprised to see how quickly the iPad 2 rendered footage. Same thing goes with Photo Booth; it's not easy to render nine different special effects in real time. We did encounter some glitches, however. For example, on two occasions the FaceTime app on the iPad 2 displayed a static image it captured with the front-facing camera instead of live video. We had to quit and restart the app.(laptopmag)
Lastly, we ran the Sunspider JavaScript benchmark, which measures JavaScript performance in the browser. The iPad 2 turned in a score of 2,146 milliseconds, versus 8,346 for the original iPad running iOS 4.3. (Lower numbers are better.) In terms of real-world performance, the iPad 2 did load certain apps faster, such as Real Racing HD (9.9 vs. 11.6 seconds) and Angry Birds HD (10.7 vs. 13 seconds). The iPad 2 was also a couple seconds quicker to load our huge library of 500-plus photos.
You'll see the A5 chip truly shine in apps that were specifically designed to leverage its dual-core power. Editing video on a tablet is no small task, so we were surprised to see how quickly the iPad 2 rendered footage. Same thing goes with Photo Booth; it's not easy to render nine different special effects in real time. We did encounter some glitches, however. For example, on two occasions the FaceTime app on the iPad 2 displayed a static image it captured with the front-facing camera instead of live video. We had to quit and restart the app.(laptopmag)
