The Apple iPad 2 Gets Unboxed

The second Apple tablet has arrived! Before we dispatched our iPad 2 to the PCMag Lab for its full review, we took plenty of photos of its unboxing, so you can see just what you'll get if you buy an iPad 2 when it goes on sale this Friday, March 11. Hit the slideshow for a close look at the iPad 2, along with some of its new accessories.

The iPad 2's most significant upgrades are a faster processor (the Apple A5), front and rear cameras, and a slimmer, lighter frame that comes with a choice of a black or white bezel. Also, this is the first iPad that's available on both AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Check out our in-depth, lab-tested iPad 2 review for the full scoop on what the new iPad can do, and how it stacks up against other tablets like the recently released Motorola Xoom.

Apple's own case for the iPad 2, the iPad Smart Cover uses magnets to keep the tablet's 9.7-inch glass touch screen protected without adding any bulk. The case ($39-$69) comes in polyurethane and leather versions and besides keeping the iPad's display protected, it also transforms to a handy stand for comfortable on-screen typing, movie watching, or FaceTime chatting. It's the most innovative iPad case we've seen. Hit the slideshow for some close-up shots, and our Apple iPad Smart Cover review for more details. We also threw in some photos of Apple's $39 Digital AV adapter, which can mirror your iPad's screen, in high-definition, on your HDTV.

1. Apple iPad 2 Box

Overall, the Apple iPad 2 is the best tablet you can buy right now.

2. Back of Box

The Wi-Fi-only model costs $499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, and $699 for 64GB. The pricing for the Wi-Fi + 3G models is $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB, and $829 for 64GB.

3. Inside the Box

There's not much in the box, other than the USB cable and power brick—except for some manuals and stickers, it's all about the iPad.

4. Underneath the iPad 2

There's not much in the box, other than the USB cable and power brick—except for some manuals and stickers, it's all about the iPad.

5. Manual and Power Brick

There's not much in the box, other than the USB cable and power brick—except for some manuals and stickers, it's all about the iPad.

6. iPad 2 Held

The original iPad measured 9.56 by 7.47 by 0.5 and weighed 1.5 pounds—so the tablet has slimmed down some, but your hands are not going to notice much difference in weight after holding either device for more than 10 minutes.

7. Plastic Wrapping

The back panel is brushed aluminum on both the black and while models and prominently features the Apple logo right in the middle.

8. Unwrapping the iPad 2

The back panel is brushed aluminum on both the black and while models and prominently features the Apple logo right in the middle.

9. The iPad 2's Packaging

The back panel is brushed aluminum on both the black and while models and prominently features the Apple logo right in the middle.

10. Front of iPad 2

The front panel is still covered by glass, but now the screen is framed in either glossy black or glossy white.

11. Home Button

You almost never see the iPad 2 stutter or slow down during a game or video—although it did crash a couple of times with one particular app (more on that in a bit). Additionally, the iPad 2 has three sensors—one of them a new three-axis gyroscope.

12. Back of iPad 2

Internally, the new 1GHz, dual-core A5 processor—only the second chip Apple has deigned to name and show off, however vaguely, to the public—is a "custom-designed, high-performance, low-power system-on-a-chip," to quote the company directly.

13. Tablet and Box

14. Front Facing Camera

While iPhone 4's camera can capture 5-megapixel photos (2593 by 1936), the iPad's still images are just 0.7-megaxpixels (960 by 720), so they're a lot less sharp, especially when you view them on the almost-10-inch screen.

15. Manual, Box Contents

Included with the iPad 2: a standard-issue Apple white sync cable and a charger, and that's pretty much it, except for a manual and some Apple stickers.

16. Box and Contents

Included with the iPad 2: a standard-issue Apple white sync cable and a charger, and that's pretty much it, except for a manual and some Apple stickers.

17. iPad 2 LCD Close Up

The front panel houses the new-to-this-model front-facing VGA-quality camera lens and the old, familiar Apple Home button, which sits, as usual, below the screen.

18. iPad 2 Back Close Up

The 30-pin connector for docking and syncing, along with the integrated speaker (which is the same two-channel-but-no-stereo-separation speaker you'll find on the original iPad) are on the bottom of the tablet's back panel.

19. Speaker

The integrated speaker (which is the same two-channel-but-no-stereo-separation speaker you'll find on the original iPad) looks a bit different on the iPad 2.

20. Orientation Lock Switch

A new switch for locking the screen's orientation or muting the audio (you assign the function in the Settings menu) is situated above the volume controls on the right panel.

21. Home Screen

The iPad 2 ships with the usual suspects: Calendar, Contacts, Notes, Maps, Videos, YouTube, iTunes, App Store, Game Center, Settings, Safari, Mail, Photos, iPod, Find My iPad, and iBooks.

22. Apps

New to the on-iPad app lineup are the aforementioned Camera app, FaceTime, and Photo Booth.

23. Front Facing Camera

The addition of cameras—a front-facing, VGA-quality camera and a rear-facing HD (720p) video camera, which also captures still images—is a very welcome addition.

24. 3G Signal

In the U.S., the 3G version is available on both AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

25. USB Cable

Included with the iPad 2: a standard-issue Apple white sync cable and a charger, and that's pretty much it.

26. Box Contents

You still won't find earbuds in the box, which, despite how awful Apple earbuds sound, should be included with a $500+ device with a headphone jack.

27. HDMI Adapter and Smart Cover Packaged

There are a few Apple-made accessories available with the iPad 2, which add some extra finish and functionality to the device.

28. HDMI Adapter and Smart Cover Unboxed

There are a few Apple-made accessories available with the iPad 2, which add some extra finish and functionality to the device.

29. HDMI Adapter

The $39 Apple Digital AV Adapter allows for HDMI output via the iPad's 30-pin connector.

30. HDMI Adapter Plugged In

When connected to the HDMI port on your HDTV or HD-capable monitor, what shows on your television or monitor will mirror your iPad's screen precisely, in 1080p (video in 720p).

31. HDMI Adapter Close Up

You can also usethe AV Adapter to show anything—including games—in real time.

32. HDMI Out (left) USB (right)

The $39 Apple Digital AV Adapter allows for HDMI output via the iPad's 30-pin connector.