iPad 101: everything you need to know about Apple’s tablet

The iPad is without a doubt the most famous tablet in the world. Introduced by Steve Jobs in 2010, but more relevant than ever twelve years later. How did the device come about, which models can you purchase in 2022 and what exactly can you do with it?

To explain this to you, we are starting a new section on our website: iPad 101. Not only do we tell you what kind of product Apple released in 2010, but we also explain how you can use it. We do this through all kinds of separate articles that we add to this ‘main article’ one by one along the way. So are you looking for useful tips for your tablet? Then this is probably the place to find them.

From the Newton MessagePad to the first iPad

On January 20, 2010, Apple announced the first iPad ever. The first iPad, because it wasn’t quite the company’s first tablet. In 1993, Apple was working on the Newton MessagePad. It was a tablet-like device that served primarily as a personal assistant. The idea was not very well received and Steve Jobs immediately put an end to it upon his return in 1998.

There were two reasons for this: Apple was really too far ahead of its time in this area and the effect was pretty bad. For example, Apple was criticized for the way the Newton MessagePad registered the accompanying stylus. The handwriting recognition was a drama. Fortunately, the company made up for this in 2010 with the very first iPad.

Although the tablet was announced on January 20, it took a while before it was available on the market. The iPad was available to order from March 12, two models appeared in the United States from April 30, and the rest of the world got its chance between May 28 and September 17. As with the iPhone, the innovation was criticized, but it grew into a huge success.

What different models are there?

The iPad has evolved a lot over the past twelve years. The Apple tablet is currently not only ready for the tenth generation, but three other models have also appeared on the market. Models that have all been around for quite a few years. In addition to the standard model, you also have the iPad Air, mini and Pro models.

A small selection from the history:

The standard model

Good. So the standard iPad model appeared in 2010. Apple has not launched a new model every year in the past twelve years, but has certainly not been idle in this area either. In the meantime, no fewer than nine different variants have appeared. The timeline looks like this:

• First-generation | January 20, 2010
• Second-generation | March 2, 2011
• Third-generation | March 7, 2012
• Fourth-generation | October 23, 2012
• Fifth-generation | March 21, 2017
• Sixth-generation | March 27, 2018
• Seventh-generation | September 10, 2019
• eighth-generation | September 15, 2020
• Ninth Generation | September 14, 2021

You can read our review about the most recent model via the block below:

The iPad mini

Although the launch of the iPad was a success story, there were consumers who found the Apple tablet just a little too big. That is why the American company decided, two years after the launch of the very first model, to bring a smaller variant on the market. The iPad mini was officially a fact and developed as follows:

• First-generation | October 23, 2012
• Second-generation | October 22, 2013
• Third-generation | October 16, 2014
• Fourth-generation | September 9, 2015
• Fifth-generation | March 18, 2019
• Sixth-generation | September 24, 2021

The most recent mini appeared in the summer of 2021. You can read our review via the block below:

iPad Air

In 2022, the models are usually as light as a feather, but the iPad carried quite a bit of weight in 2013. The fourth generation was provided by Apple with a Retina display, but had a spicy weight of 652 grams. To do something about that, the American company introduced the very first Air in 2013: a tablet with a weight of only 469 grams. It was the birth of a new success:

• First-generation | October 22, 2013
• Second-generation | October 16, 2014
• Third-generation | March 18, 2019
• Fourth-generation | September 15, 2020
• Fifth-generation | March 8, 2022

Curious what we thought of the iPad Air (2022)? You can read it via the block below:

iPad Pro

Five years after the introduction of the first-generation, Apple introduced the iPad Pro. The tablet was completely aimed at the professionals who were eager to continue their work on the road. It is therefore no surprise that this model was equipped with the most exuberant specifications (and price tag). The timeline looked like this:

• First-generation | September 9, 2015
• Second-generation | June 5, 2017
• Third-generation | October 30, 2018
• Fourth-generation | March 18, 2020
• Fifth-generation | April 20, 2021

Curious what we thought of the most recent iPad Pro? Then be sure to read the article below:

How much will you pay for the tablets in 2022?

In the history of the iPad, four different variants appeared, which you can still purchase in 2022. Where Apple products are usually labeled as ‘far too expensive’, the tablets are really affordable. It is of course how colorful you make it yourself, but for a few hundred euros you already have one of the best tablets on the market.

The offer looks like this at the time of writing:

• Ninth-generation iPad | Minimum: 389 euros | Maximum: 699 euros
• iPad mini (2021) | Minimum: 559 euros | Maximum: 899 euros
• iPad Air (2022) | Minimum: 698.50 euros | Maximum: 1038.50 euros
• 11-inch iPad Pro | Minimum: 899 euros | Maximum: 2279 euros
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro | Minimum: 1219 euros | Maximum: 2599 euros

For more information, check Apple’s website.