iPads  are a series of tablet computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc., which runs Apple's iOS (iPhone Operating System). The first iPad was released on April 3, 2010 the most recent iPad models are the iPad Air and second generation iPad Mini, were shown to public on October 22, 2013 and went on sale November 1, 2013, and November 12, 2013. The user interface is built around the device's multi-touch screen including a virtual keyboard, just like the iPhone. The iPad has built-in Wi-Fi and, on some models, cellular connectivity.

 

An iPad can shoot video, take photos, play music, and perform Internet functions such as web-browsing and emailing. Other functions—games, reference, GPS navigation, social networking, etc.—can be enabled by downloading and installing apps. As of October 2013, the App Store has more than 475,000 native apps by Apple and third parties.

There have been five versions of the iPad. The first generation established design precedents, such as the 9.7-inch screen size and button location, that have persisted through all models. The iPad 2 added a dual core Apple A5 processor and VGA front-facing and 720p rear-facing cameras designed for FaceTime video calling. The third generation added a Retina Display, the new Apple A5X processor with a quad-core graphics processor, a 5-megapixel camera, HD 1080p video recording, voice dictation, and 4G (LTE). The fourth generation added the Apple A6X processor and replaces the 30-pin connector with an all-digital Lightning connector. The iPad Air added the Apple A7 processor and reduced the form factor for the first time since the iPad 2. iOS 6 added Siri to the third and fourth generations and the iPad Mini.

There have been two versions of the iPad Mini. The first generation features a reduced screen size of 7.9 inches and features similar internal specifications as the iPad 2. It also uses the Lightning connector. The second generation features the Retina Display and the Apple A7 processor, matching the inner conditions of the iPad Air.