Should you buy the new iPad? Well, that depends . . . [Updated]

Whenever a major new tech product gets released, I hear from a lot of folks who want to know whether they should make the leap. And as you’d expect, that question has come up in spades with Wednesday’s launch of Apple’s latest iPad.

On Twitter, in email, in hallway conversations, I must have been asked at least two dozen times about buying one. The question mostly came from people who have either the original or the iPad 2. Interestingly, when I heard from first-timers, they weren’t asking me about buying it – they were telling me they were going to.

If you’re trying to make up your mind about whether to shell out at least $500 for the new iPad, here are some things to consider, depending on your current tablet status:

Apple CEO Tim Cook pitches his new toy. (Associated Press)

If you own an original iPad

If you bought one of the first iPads, upgrading to the newest model makes a lot of sense. While the iPad 2 had a brighter screen, was thinner and noticeably faster, it wasn’t enough of a leap to justify a purchase for original iPad owners. But I think the newest iPad is the leap most iPad 1 owners have been waiting for.

I do a lot of reading on my original iPad, and have always been irritated at the jagged quality of text on the display. The new iPad dramatically improves the way text appears, which should make reading easier on the eyes. If you’re a heavy reader, the 2,048-by-1,536-pixel display will make a huge difference.

If you play games on your original iPad, the faster graphics and processor should improve that experience as well. I’ve tried out the same games on an iPad 2 and my original iPad, and the difference in playability is noticeable. It should be even more so with this newest model.

If you’ve been jealous of your iPad 2 brethren’s ability to take photos and video (some apps won’t even install on the iPad 1 because it doesn’t have a camera ), then here’s your chance to catch up. The new iPad not only has a camera, but it’s as good as that on the iPhone 4S, which is considered one of the best smartphone cameras.

Finally, there’s connectivity. I bought a Wi-Fi-only model of the original iPad, figuring I’d be around Wi-Fi enough that I would not want or need the extra expense of 3G, even though it’s sold on a non-contract basis for iPads. While I’ve suffered only minor inconvenience as a result of this decision, when I ordered a new iPad on Wednesday, I opted for a white model that connects to Verizon’s LTE network.

Having tried LTE on several Android smartphones and through a MiFi, I’m impressed enough with its speed to know that it should have a profound impact on the experience of using connected apps. In Houston, LTE on both AT&T and Verizon’s 4G networks often allows for download speeds north of 30 Mbps, which is a lot faster than most folks’ home broadband connections. So long as you’re in a location that has LTE service, using apps that rely on a data connection should provide an almost seamless experience, given the fluidity of iOS. I’m really looking forward to this aspect of the device.

If you own an iPad 2

This is a much tougher decision to make.

If you do a lot of reading and find the iPad 2’s text display lacking (it’s the same resolution as the original iPad), then the new model may be enticing. Still, it’s at least $500 being spent a year or less after you paid for your current device. If I owned an iPad 2, I probably would not pull the trigger just yet.

The iPad 2 has front and rear cameras, and for taking stills and video, the rear camera is notoriously bad. While it seemed counterintuitive that people would use something as big as an iPad to take photos or capture video, you see a LOT of owners at events holding these 9.7-inch tablets aloft to do so. If you’re frustrated with the camera’s quality, the improvement here is a good argument for buying.

LTE may also be a draw if you find yourself wanting speedier Internet access when Wi-Fi isn’t available. The browser on the iPad 2 is quite zippy, but it can be a balky experience if you’re using it on 3G. But as I outlined in the original iPad section, this will only be compelling if you need constant connectivity, and Wi-Fi-only isn’t cutting it for you.

For gamers, it’s also a tough call. The higher resolution and faster graphics processor means better-looking games, but these diversions already look great and play smoothly on the iPad 2. You may want to wait until you can lay hands on a friend’s new iPad before making this call.

Overall, if I was an iPad 2 owner, I’d likely wait for the 2013 model, if only because I would have just shelled out the cash.

If you don’t have an iPad, but want one

If you’ve been putting off the purchase of an iPad, this model fixes enough of the gripes of users who owned the first two that it’s probably worth making the leap. Many would-be buyers are holding off for features that Apple probably will never add, so if you’re waiting for a USB port, an SD card slot and folder-based access to the file system . . . time to move on and pick up an Android tablet.

Otherwise, this model is probably going to be gold standard for tablets for at least a year. If you’ve been waiting for an iPad that pulls everything together into one fast, fluid package, this is likely to be it.

Bonus question: What about the discounted iPad 2?

Apple’s keeping the 16-GB version of the iPad 2 (in both 3G and Wi-Fi-only models) around at $100 off the original price. That may make it compelling to those on a budget who haven’t yet bought a tablet. However, $399 is still $399, and it’s a lot more than the $199 that Amazon’s asking for the Kindle Fire. If you can afford it, the iPad 2 is a better all-around product, and I’d recommend it over the Fire.

However, if $399 is too rich for you, and if you’re a regular buyer of Amazon’s products, the Fire is a great bargain, and recent software updates have largely fixed its original speed and usability problems. If you’re thinking about a discounted iPad 2, you owe it to yourself to find someone with a Fire and play with it before making your decision.

Frankly, I think the biggest market for the legacy iPad 2 is going to be businesses, many of whom are adopting the iPad for employees’ mobile use. The enterprise isn’t going to be drawn to a higher-resolution screen, LTE or a killer camera, so keeping the iPad 2 around is really Apple’s way at continuing its invasion of the corporate world. Watch for companies to snatch these up in big numbers.

Update: Verizon says it will enable the Personal Hotspot feature on those new iPads that talk to its LTE network at no additional charge, according to BGR. All three plans – including its cheapest, 1 gigabyte for $20 – will allow users to tether other devices via the Personal Hotspot. AT&T is still “working with Apple” to enable the feature.

22