When Apple took the wraps off of the new iPad earlier this year, it also announced that it was keeping the iPad 2 around and slapping it with a new $399 price tag. That's not the only new thing that the cheaper iPad 2 touts, though, as it also includes a smaller 32nm Apple A5 processor that Anandtech has found offers improved battery life. After running several tests, the site found that the new iPad 2 (which features the designation "iPad 2,4") saw a 15 percent increase in battery life while browsing the web, an 18 percent increase while watching video and a nearly 30 percent jump while playing games.
So how can you find an iPad 2,4? Unfortunately, there's no way to tell if that new iPad 2 you're about to buy features the 32nm A5 processor without actually turning the thing on. That may not be a big deal if you're using Craigslist or something of the like to purchase an iPad 2, but buying new at a retail store means you'll likely be taking a gamble and hoping that there's an iPad 2,4 inside that box. Of course, if you've got a clear schedule and don't mind bothering the employees at whatever store you're buying from, buying iPad 2s and then returning them until you find one with a new 32nm A5 could be an option. If you need help deciding if such an endeavor is worth undertaking, you can find the more information on the tests at the Anandtech link below.
