iPad 2 a bargain in more ways than price

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SAN FRANCISCO, May 4 (UPI) -- Consumers who buy an iPad 2 rather than the "new" iPad may get more than just a price break, experts say; they may actually get a unit with better battery life.

When Apple rolled out the "new" iPad, it announced it would still sell the "old" iPad 2 with a low price of $399, making it a solid tablet for a budget price.

Now a tech Web site has discovered improved battery life comes along with the bargain price, ZDNet.com reported.

Testing by AnandTech shows the refreshed iPad 2 is running a new A5 chip set that is thinner, with improved battery life compared to the older chip.

The newer "bargain" iPad 2, version 2.4, can see as much as 30 percent better battery life when playing games, an activity that hits the battery hard, AnandTech said.

However, buyers need to be aware there is still inventory of the older iPad 2 around, so buying an iPad 2 doesn't guarantee users will get the improved version.

Prospective purchasers may want to wait a bit until the older model inventory gets sold, ZDNet.com said.