Apple made tablet computers popular, bringing them to the forefront of the consumer electronics industry, and its Pad is unmistakably the most popular tablet in the international market.

A study by Experian suggested that 88 per cent of UK consumers would prefer the Apple iPad over any other tablet.

With 51 per cent of UK consumers expecting the tablet computer to replace their laptop or desktop computer, can we expect queues around the block for the new iPad2 when it is released 25th March?

The iPad 2 has already broken records in the US as it sold out faster than the original, but what are the differences and is the iPad2 really worth the money and the hype?

Size: Only slightly smaller than the iPad although one-third thinner at only 8.6mm thick.

Weight: 80g lighter than the original.

Speed: billed as ‘twice-as-fast’ thanks to the dual core A5 CPU built by ARM.

Performance: the IOS4.3 is meant to make the device easier to use

Screen size/resolution: no difference

Cameras: two cameras, one for photos/videos (720p HD video) and one for face to face chats (0.3 megapixels)

Movies: HDMI-out capability at HD resolution plus a 30-pin to HDMI cable.

Battery power; lasts about 10 hours

Cost: No difference, although who would expect anything cheap from Apple?

A few specs there – but until we get our hands on one we can’t yet fight out iPad to iPad2 performance ability.

So, with only 8 more days to go will you be standing in line?