We left the Apple store this afternoon with an iPad 2 and have given it an early shakedown along with its frequently joined-at-the-hip companion, the Smart Cover. The iPad itself instantly feels much smaller and lighter; although the dimensions haven't changed much, in practice it's much easier to hold in any orientation. The dual-core processor and extra RAM are noticeable, too, and even casual tasks like Google Maps are faster; the JavaScript improvements in iOS 4.3 are only part of the story.
