Photo: Evan-Amos / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons · source
iPad (1st generation)
The slate that defined the modern tablet category.
Overview
The original iPad was announced in January 2010 and went on sale that April. It looked like an oversized iPod touch, and it ran the same touch-first system software, but the larger 4:3 screen made reading, browsing, games and email feel very different from a phone.
Inside was the first chip Apple designed itself for a consumer device, the A4, which delivered long battery life despite a modest 256 MB of memory. There were no cameras, and apps were limited to one at a time, yet the tablet's weight, instant wake and ten-hour battery made it an instant hit.
A 3G model with a micro-SIM tray followed a few weeks after the Wi-Fi version. Accessories such as the Keyboard Dock and the Camera Connection Kit hinted at a larger role than a media gadget.
Why it mattered
It created the mainstream tablet market and sold millions in its first year, and it was the first Apple product built around the company's own system-on-chip.
At a glance
- Announced
- January 27, 2010
- Released
- April 3, 2010
- Discontinued
- March 2, 2011
- Launch price
- $499
- Chip
- Apple A4, 1 GHz
- Display
- 9.7"
- Storage
- 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- First iPad, with a 9.7-inch multi-touch IPS screen
- Apple-designed A4 chip debuted here
- Roughly ten hours of battery life
- No cameras and a single-app-at-a-time design
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Display
- Size
- 9.7-inch
- Type
- LED-backlit IPS multi-touch
- Resolution
- 1024 x 768 (132 ppi)
- Refresh rate
- 60 Hz
Chip
- Chip
- Apple A4, 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A8
- Graphics
- PowerVR SGX535
Memory
- RAM
- 256 MB
- Storage options
- 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
Battery
- Battery life
- Up to 10 hours of web, video or music
- Capacity
- About 25 Wh
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi
- 802.11a/b/g/n
- Cellular
- Optional 3G (UMTS/HSDPA) model with micro-SIM; GSM/EDGE
- Connector
- 30-pin dock connector
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Accessories
- Apple Pencil
- Not supported
- Keyboard
- iPad Keyboard Dock or Bluetooth keyboards
Design
- Dimensions
- 242.8 x 189.7 x 13.4 mm
- Weight
- 680 g (Wi-Fi), 730 g (3G)
- Materials
- Aluminum back, glass front
Sensors
- Sensors
- Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass; A-GPS on 3G model
Security
- Authentication
- Passcode lock
Software
- Launch OS
- iPhone OS 3.2
- Latest supported OS
- iOS 5.1.1
How it compares
More in the iPad family
iPad 2
Thinner, faster, and finally equipped with cameras.
iPad (3rd generation)
The first iPad with a Retina display and LTE.
iPad (4th generation)
A surprise refresh that doubled the speed and introduced Lightning.
iPad (5th generation)
The budget iPad returns at a much lower entry price.
iPad (6th generation)
The first non-Pro iPad that works with Apple Pencil.
iPad (7th generation)
A slightly larger 10.2-inch screen and the Smart Connector for $329.
iPad (8th generation)
The $329 iPad picks up an A12 Bionic and a Neural Engine.
iPad (9th generation)
The last classic iPad, with Center Stage and True Tone.
iPad (10th generation)
The standard iPad finally goes all-screen, in four bold colors.
iPad (A16)
The everyday iPad, now with 128 GB and a quicker A16 chip.