Term of the Moment
chip manufacturing
Definition: iPad
(1) For Apple's earlier music player, see iPod.
(2) A tablet computer. Because of the iPad's popularity in the U.S., many Americans refer to all tablets as iPads even though roughly four out of ten tablets are not iPads. See tablet, 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, the same as 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 and then the M4 in 2024.
iPad Air
In 2013, the iPad Air was named to reflect its light weight, but the iPad mini is lighter and 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 display by placing more data on screen, but iPhone apps run intact as well. See tablet and iPed.
The First iPads
(2) A tablet computer. Because of the iPad's popularity in the U.S., many Americans refer to all tablets as iPads even though roughly four out of ten tablets are not iPads. See tablet, 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, the same as 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 and then the M4 in 2024.
iPad Air
In 2013, the iPad Air was named to reflect its light weight, but the iPad mini is lighter and 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 display by placing more data on screen, but iPhone apps run intact as well. See tablet and iPed.
Prior to the iPad, tablets had come and gone, but like the iPhone, the iPad "upset the Apple cart" once again. Today, iPads are mainstream, along with Android and Windows tablets. (Image courtesy of Apple Inc.)
CURRENT iPAD MODELS
Weight Max.
Resolution (lbs) Storage CPU
13" iPad Pro
2752x2064 1.3 2TB M4
11" iPad Pro
2420x1668 1.0 2TB M4
10.9" iPad
2360x1640 1.05 256GB A14
13" iPad Air
2360x1640 1.02 1TB M2
11" iPad Air
2360x1640 1.02 1TB M2
8.3" iPad mini
2266x1488 .66 256GB A15