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iPad 3 housing reveals internal changes

A photo of a rumored iPad 3 housing leads to speculation on what new component changes to expect, including a new camera and expanded battery.

Donald Bell Senior Editor / How To
Donald Bell has spent more than five years as a CNET senior editor, reviewing everything from MP3 players to the first three generations of the Apple iPad. He currently devotes his time to producing How To content for CNET, as well as weekly episodes of CNET's Top 5 video series.
Donald Bell
iPad 2 and iPad 3 housings, shown side by side.
The back housings of an iPad 2 (left) and a rumored iPad 3, shown side by side. Repair Labs

A purported iPad 3 back casing has turned up at Repair Labs, matching up with many of the improvements Apple is rumored to be developing for the next generation of the company's successful tablet.

Among the details offered by the metal housing is a new, smaller shape for the internal logic board. This would mean that the current A5 processor-based logic board would be ditched, presumably for a new design based on an A6 processor.

The smaller size of the logic board opens up more room that Apple may use for an extended battery. We also see a retooled space for the rear camera, as well as a new fitting for the LCD panel.

This new casing is apparently no thicker than the current iPad model, in spite of rumors that the iPad 3 may measure slightly thicker than the iPad 2 in order to accommodate a higher-quality screen.