Apple’s new iPad: The reviews are in

You could spend the next few hours trolling the web for all the reviews or just read the summaries here. Given that Apple provides review units to journalists they trust, it’s a sure bet they’ll like it. And why not? The iPad is far and away the market leader and this year’s iteration builds on that — either you’re in the market or your not and here are some good reasons to get the best.

John Gruber of Daring Fireball fame gets grief for being Apple fanbois number one, but you’d have to be an unthinking troll to believe he is. Nevertheless, Gruber loves the 2012 Apple tablet and, again, why not? There’s certainly nothing better out there, not even close.

50 grams and six-tenths of a millimeter are minor compromises, but compromises they are, and they betray Apple’s priorities: better to make the iPad slightly thicker and heavier than have battery life slightly suffer. And keep in mind that the new iPad 3 remains far thinner and lighter than the original iPad. The retina display is amazing, everything in the UI feels faster, and the price points remain the same. What’s not to love? It’s that simple.

On the subject of big-brained guys that love Apple, Macworld’s Jason Snell doesn’t get the credit he deserves for calling out Cupertino when they deserve it. But, this isn’t one of those occasions, because the 2012 is a solid, solid product.

The new iPad is just that: The iPad, updated for a new year and millions of new iPad users. It’s not smaller or lighter, but it’s got a remarkable screen, a much better rear camera, and support for cellular networking that can run at Wi-Fi speeds. It’s the iPad that millions of people have embraced, only one year better

See also: NSFW: An iPad 3 review that doesn’t skimp on the sarcasm

Loop Insight’s Jim Dalrymple has assumed the role of Apple “eminence beard” in recent years, debunking and anointing the rumors that pass beneath his fickle nose. In his review, he touches on the zeitgeist of the moment — how to describe the ineffable quality embodied in the new iPad’s “resolutionary” Retina display.

I’ve been using the iPad for a week now and I’m so impressed. From the first time I turned it on and saw the Retina display, I was in awe of how good it was. Trust me, even if you watched the introduction video, you still have no idea how good this display is. You really do have to see it to believe it.

BusinessWeek’s Rich Jaroslovsky knows a winner, actually two, when he sees them and the new iPad is better than last year’s model, which in turn is the second best tablet available, period.

The new iPad’s 2012 enhancements — not to mention its wide lead over all rivals in terms of the number and quality of available apps — keep Apple easily ahead of all other tablet makers. In fact, by keeping the iPad 2 alive and cutting its starting price by $100, to $399, Apple has instantly made it the second-best tablet you can buy.

Picture a tall, lanky geek in New York City. Whether you meant to or not, you probably called The Verge’s Joshua Topolsky to mind. How did the “Pete Townsend of tech” get on Apple’s safe journo list? Probably because he’s thorough, really thorough.

In all, the new iPad lived up to my expectations on the performance and battery fronts — and I’m not sure how it might have surpassed them. It’s everything the previous generation was, and then some. Stable, reliable, speedy, and long-lived. What more can you ask for?

Among all journalists, who’s opinion did Steve Jobs value most? Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg and, unsurprisingly, Apple’s oldest friend has good things to say about the new iPad.

Using the new display is like getting a new eyeglasses prescription—you suddenly realize what you thought looked sharp before wasn’t nearly as sharp as it could be… Since it launched in 2010, the iPad has been the best tablet on the planet. With the new, third-generation model, it still holds that crown.

Lots of folks have pooh-poohed the new iPad’s “resolutionary” Retina display, but it’s something that the people who’ve actually seen it say you’ve got to see it for yourself. That said, get yourself to the stores on Friday to see and touch one…

What’s your take?

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