Term of the Moment
iconic
Redirected from: Apple tablet
Definition: iPad
(1) See also iPod (Apple's music player).
(2) A tablet computer. Because of the popularity of the iPad, especially in the U.S., many people refer to tablets in general as iPads. However, there are huge numbers of Android and Windows tablets employed in the country (see Android tablet and Windows tablet).
(3) A very popular tablet from Apple, introduced in April 2010. The iPadOS operating system and user interface is similar to the iPhone; however, because of the larger screen, iPads are able to replace a laptop for many purposes. All iPads come with Wi-Fi, and cellular access is optional.
iOS and iPadOS
Since their debut, iPads used Apple's iOS mobile operating system, which is also the OS in the iPhone and earlier iPod touch. Starting in the fall of 2019, the iPad line switched to its own OS (see iPadOS). See iOS.
iPad Pro
Pro models are top of the line. Initially available with a 12.9" screen. smaller models came later (see iPad Pro). In 2023, Pro models were powered by Apple's M2 chip.
iPad Air
In 2013, the iPad Air was named to reflect its light weight, but subsequent non-Air models became just as light. The Air was discontinued until 2019 (see iPad Air).
iPad mini
With a 8.3" screen, mini models are always the smallest in the iPad line (see iPad mini).
Hundreds of Thousands of iPhone Apps
Apps written for the iPad take advantage of the larger screen, but the iPad runs most iPhone apps intact and can display them at twice their original size. See tablet and iPed.
The First iPads
(2) A tablet computer. Because of the popularity of the iPad, especially in the U.S., many people refer to tablets in general as iPads. However, there are huge numbers of Android and Windows tablets employed in the country (see Android tablet and Windows tablet).
(3) A very popular tablet from Apple, introduced in April 2010. The iPadOS operating system and user interface is similar to the iPhone; however, because of the larger screen, iPads are able to replace a laptop for many purposes. All iPads come with Wi-Fi, and cellular access is optional.
iOS and iPadOS
Since their debut, iPads used Apple's iOS mobile operating system, which is also the OS in the iPhone and earlier iPod touch. Starting in the fall of 2019, the iPad line switched to its own OS (see iPadOS). See iOS.
iPad Pro
Pro models are top of the line. Initially available with a 12.9" screen. smaller models came later (see iPad Pro). In 2023, Pro models were powered by Apple's M2 chip.
iPad Air
In 2013, the iPad Air was named to reflect its light weight, but subsequent non-Air models became just as light. The Air was discontinued until 2019 (see iPad Air).
iPad mini
With a 8.3" screen, mini models are always the smallest in the iPad line (see iPad mini).
Hundreds of Thousands of iPhone Apps
Apps written for the iPad take advantage of the larger screen, but the iPad runs most iPhone apps intact and can display them at twice their original size. See tablet and iPed.
Prior to the iPad, tablets had come and gone, but like the iPhone, the iPad "upset the Apple cart" again. Today, iPads are mainstream, along with Android and Windows tablets. (Image courtesy of Apple Inc.)
CURRENT MODELS
Weight Max.
Gen (Year) Resolution (lbs) Storage CPU
12.9" Pro
7 (2023) 2732x2048 1.5 2TB M2
11" Pro
5 (2023) 2388x1668 1.04 2TB M2
10.9" iPad
10 (2023) 2360x1640 1.05 256GB A14
10.2" iPad
9 (2022) 2160x1620 1.07 256GB A13
10.9" Air
10 (2022) 2360x1640 1.05 256GB A14
7.9" mini
6 (2021) 2266x1488 .66 256GB A15