iPad 2 Mockup Appears at CES

Now this is interesting. Remember those iPad 2 case design leaks that appeared last month? They gave rise to a slew of rumors about the next iPad, ranging from micro-USB inclusion, to revised speakers, SD card slots, cameras, and fire breathing dragon support (OK maybe not that).

Well, Engadget discovered a nice treat at the CES 2011 expo, it’s a physical iPad 2 hardware mockup based on iPad 2 case designs, and it gives us the best idea yet of what iPad 2 might look like. Notice the design is slimmer when compared to the current iPad (existing iPad model is on the top in the above picture), there’s room for dual cameras, the back panel is flatter with tapered edges much like the iPod touch or top lid to a MacBook Pro, and there’s indeed places for a front and rear camera as well as a larger speaker. Even if it’s just a slab of aluminum that works as a placeholder, it looks pretty sleek doesn’t it?

Apparently Engadget came across this iPad 2 hardware mockup when they scoped out a cool bluetooth keyboard case for the iPad… when they asked the exhibitor to try it out they discovered the mockup “It was so intriguing that we asked to put our own iPad inside, which is when we were told it wouldn’t fit, since the case was designed for the next iPad.”

Here’s a few of the more interesting pictures they took:

Most of the other images are of the case that attracted their attention to begin with. I wonder what Apple is going to think of this mockup showing up? I guess a mockup is better than a real hardware leak, right?