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What is the latest model iPad? iPad lineup

Apple iPad tablets first appeared on the world market in 2010 and in 4 years they have already released 6 generations of the device:

  • 2010: iPad 1 (2 modifications) * .
  • 2011: iPad 2 (3 modifications).
  • 2012: iPad 3 (3 modifications).
  • 2012: iPad 4 (3 modifications).
  • 2013: iPad Air (2 modifications).
  • 2014: iPad Air 2 (2 modifications).

Today we will talk about each of them, taking into account their features, advantages and disadvantages.

* By “modification” we mean equipping tablets with Wi-Fi and additional communication modules (the ability to use a SIM card).

The first iPad prototype appeared at Apple back in the early 2000s and was called “prototype 035.” According to Jonathan Ive, between 2002 and 2004, active development of the external concept of the device was carried out, which later became the basis for the creation of the first generation iPad.

Photos of the prototype were made public during litigation with Samsung as evidence that the device was being developed long before the patent rights arose (2005). By the way, the court made a final decision only in 2012 and ordered Samsung to pay Cupertino a tidy sum for illegally borrowing ideas.

Returning to the “035” model, we can immediately note that it is much thicker than modern tablets and lacks the usual “Home” button. There is also an opinion that a full-fledged OS was installed on board the prototype, like on Mac computers.

First generation iPad

The first iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 in San Francisco. The project could be called a pilot: Apple implemented a minimum of its ideas and gave the buyer time to evaluate the new offer on the tablet device market. Critics immediately pushed the device into dusty corners for its lack of camera, weak processor and iOS capabilities. But fans appreciated the new Apple device - in the first day, sales exceeded 0.5 million devices, and by the end of the year, a total of 7 million gadgets were sold.

The first-generation iPad is strikingly different from its future reincarnations: clear edges, prominent walls and the impressive thickness of the device (13 mm) immediately catch the eye. Moreover, iPad 1 is the heaviest tablet in the entire Apple line. Its weight is 680 grams.

The lineup consisted of two offers: with Wi-Fi support and Wi-Fi+3G. The tablet offered three variations of memory capacity (16, 32 and 64 GB) and one color scheme - a black front panel and a silver body.

The first generation iPad is powered by the A4 processor. The total amount of RAM is 256 MB. Its power is quite enough for surfing the Internet, communicating on social networks, business correspondence, taking notes and supporting simple applications. Modern games, unfortunately, are too tough for him. The latest supported OS is iOS 5.1.1.

It is also worth considering that the “pilot iPad” received only an accelerometer and a light sensor.

Sales end date: spring 2011.

Second generation iPad

iPad 2 was introduced on March 3, 2011 in San Francisco. It is noteworthy that this is the last presentation that Steve Jobs attended. Global sales started on May 11; the tablet reached Russia only on May 27, 2011. The excitement during sales was so strong that speculators were even in demand, selling their place in line at Apple stores. According to some rumors, the rate for first places reached $800. According to analysts, 70% of iPad buyers purchased the tablet for the first time, which indicated an increase in Apple's share in the high-tech market.

The second generation iPad got rid of the protruding back cover - the body became smooth and streamlined. The speaker has moved to the back cover of the device, where it is securely hidden under the protection of a mesh with perforated holes. Before the advent of the iPad Air, it was considered the thinnest (8.6 mm) and lightest (from 601 to 613 grams) in the line of Apple tablets.

The lineup was the same as its predecessor: devices with a Wi-Fi module and gadgets that received mobile Internet in addition: GSM and CDMA models.

The second generation iPad received a faster Apple A5 processor with 512 MB of RAM. Moreover, the second batch of iPad 2 Rev A tablets was released. The main difference was in the modification of the processor: Apple actively protected itself from jailbreakers. It was possible to distinguish between batches only after connecting the device to the computer. The technical perfection of the device was expressed in the appearance of a gyroscope, rear and front cameras.

iPad 2 received a little more color variety: a silver body and a choice of white or black front panel. The amount of internal memory remains unchanged.

Sales end date: spring 2012 (for 16 and 32 GB), autumn 2014 (for 16 GB model).

Third generation - The new iPad

March 7, 2012 was the date of the official presentation to the world of the third generation iPad tablet. The official name of the tablet caused understandable confusion. After the presentation, Phil Schiller, answering questions from journalists, noted: Apple just wanted to do something unpredictable. According to other sources, Cupertino decided to abandon product numbering so that the user would not form an associative series: “a larger number means a better device.” Global sales began on May 16; the tablet appeared in the Russian Federation at the end of May. It is believed that the start of sales was a failure for our country. Among the main reasons were the active activities of resellers and the subsequent sale of “gray products.”

Externally, the iPad 3 was fully consistent with the second generation tablet. They could only be distinguished by the model number, which was located on the back cover. The gadget became heavier by more than 50 g, which users immediately felt during prolonged use of the device. Moreover, many noted that the iPad is “the hottest” among the entire Apple line - the rapid heating of the case also caused discomfort during long-term use of the device.

The main advantages of The new iPad are:

  • A gorgeous Retina Display that supported a resolution of 1536 by 2048 pixels per inch. At the same time, the overall color saturation increased by as much as 44%;
  • Work in 4G networks;
  • The rear camera performance has been improved to 5 mpx;
  • Video in Full HD format;
  • For the first time, it became possible to recognize faces during video shooting, as well as additional image stabilization sensors;

The new iPad runs under the strict guidance of the Apple A5X processor. RAM capabilities have increased to 1024 MB. It featured the Siri voice assistant and dictation capabilities for the first time.

The offered memory capacities (16, 32 and 64 GB) and color solutions (black/white silver) remained unchanged.

Sales end date: November 2012.

Fourth generation - iPad with Retina Display

On October 23, 2012, another presentation of new products from Apple took place, where the iPad with Retina Display was presented. In fact, it was a well-developed version of the iPad 3. It is noteworthy that for the first time in many years the presentation was held in San Jose.

The main external difference between the iPad 4 and previous models is the updated Lighting USB connector. From that moment on, the model range consisted of 3 varieties: Wi-Fi model, “American” and “global” Cellular. The difference is in the supported LTE network bands.

The tablet is the proud owner of the Apple A6X processor, which is twice as powerful as the 5 Series and has four graphics cores on board. The dual-core processor operates at a clock frequency of 1.5 MHz.

Despite the increased capabilities, iPad 4 Gen is able to work without additional recharging for more than 10 hours. The gadget also boasts a front-facing HD camera and AirDrop support.

For the first time, Apple has expanded the amount of possible user storage to 128 GB.

Sales end date: November 2013.

Fifth generation - iPad Air

On October 22, 2013, Apple introduced the iPad Air. The presentation took place at the Contemporary Arts Center in San Francisco. The event was held under the mysterious slogan “we have more to tell.” The Cupertino team showed a tablet that is capable of conquering airspace: “Air” - lighter than air. Already in the first month of sales, iPad Air took 3% of the share of all Apple tablets on the market. It is noteworthy that the tablet officially appeared in Russia on November 13.

With the fifth generation, significant external metamorphoses occurred. The first thing that catches your eye is that the frames around the screen have become much narrower. The overall dimensions are impressive, especially compared to previous generations. Since the release of the first iPad, the overall length of the gadget has decreased by 3 mm, width by 20.5 mm, and thickness by 5.5 mm. Since 2010, the device has lost 201 grams (for the wi-fi model) and 202 grams (for the cellular model), which can be equated to a full glass of semolina. Two stereo speakers and one internal microphone were added to the back cover. And the volume buttons are divided into two halves.

The model range again included three positions: Wi-Fi, LTE and TD-LTE. The latter is intended for countries in Southeast Asia.

The device's production capacity has increased tenfold thanks to the coordinated work of the Apple A7 processor and M7 co-processor. While the amount of RAM remained unchanged (1024 MB), its clock frequency jumped to 800 MHz.

iPad Air is available in two colors: silver and space gray. The amount of user memory is presented in 4 variations and ranges from 16 to 128 GB.

Sales end date: October 2014 (64 and 128 GB models). 16 and 32 GB can still be found on store shelves.

Sixth generation - iPad Air 2

By October 16, 2014, the Yerba Buena Center (San Francisco) had once again transformed itself and introduced the world to the world's thinnest tablet: the iPad Air 2. “Can you even see it?” - asked Tim Cook, demonstrating the new product to the audience. For the first time, Russia was secretly included in the list of countries of the first wave - official sales started on October 24.

The length and width of the Air tablets remained unchanged. But the thickness was 6.1 mm (-1.4 mm), and the weight was 437 (Wi-Fi) and 444 grams (LTE).

Combining the display with a touchscreen made it possible not only to significantly reduce the thickness of the device, but also to add an anti-glare coating to the screen.

The main production load fell on the A8x processor, in which it was possible to increase CPU parameters by 40% and improve the performance of the graphic display by 2 times. The M8 co-processor took over the functions of motion control, barometer and sensor calibration.

A long-awaited update was the appearance of Touch ID fingerprint recognition sensors and Apple Pay support in iPad tablets. The quality of photography has increased due to the implantation of an 8 megapixel camera. Additional features include shooting in slo-mo and time-lapse modes, as well as the ability to take a series of pictures. The device was equipped with a lever, which was responsible for switching modes.

It is noteworthy that for the first time the 32 GB model will not be on sale. But a model with a gold body color appeared in the line.

Sales end date: currently on sale.

Fair, not overpriced and not underestimated. There should be prices on the Service website. Necessarily! without asterisks, clear and detailed, where technically possible - as accurate and concise as possible.

If spare parts are available, up to 85% of complex repairs can be completed in 1-2 days. Modular repairs require much less time. The website shows the approximate duration of any repair.

Warranty and responsibility

A guarantee must be given for any repairs. Everything is described on the website and in the documents. The guarantee is self-confidence and respect for you. A 3-6 month warranty is good and sufficient. It is needed to check quality and hidden defects that cannot be detected immediately. You see honest and realistic terms (not 3 years), you can be sure that they will help you.

Half the success in Apple repair is the quality and reliability of spare parts, so a good service works directly with suppliers, there are always several reliable channels and your own warehouse with proven spare parts for current models, so you don’t have to waste extra time.

Free diagnostics

This is very important and has already become a rule of good manners for the service center. Diagnostics is the most difficult and important part of the repair, but you don't have to pay a penny for it, even if you don't repair the device based on its results.

Service repairs and delivery

A good service values ​​your time, so it offers free delivery. And for the same reason, repairs are carried out only in the workshop of a service center: they can be done correctly and according to technology only in a prepared place.

Convenient schedule

If the Service works for you, and not for itself, then it is always open! absolutely. The schedule should be convenient to fit in before and after work. Good service works on weekends and holidays. We are waiting for you and working on your devices every day: 9:00 - 21:00

The reputation of professionals consists of several points

Company age and experience

Reliable and experienced service has been known for a long time.
If a company has been on the market for many years and has managed to establish itself as an expert, people turn to it, write about it, and recommend it. We know what we are talking about, since 98% of incoming devices in the service center are restored.
Other service centers trust us and refer complex cases to us.

How many masters in areas

If there are always several engineers waiting for you for each type of equipment, you can be sure:
1. there will be no queue (or it will be minimal) - your device will be taken care of right away.
2. you give your Macbook for repair to an expert in the field of Mac repairs. He knows all the secrets of these devices

Technical literacy

If you ask a question, a specialist should answer it as accurately as possible.
So that you can imagine what exactly you need.
They will try to solve the problem. In most cases, from the description you can understand what happened and how to fix the problem.

In anticipation of the likely revolution in the tablet computer market, which is expected to be brought about by the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, we at Apple-iPhone decided to remember ourselves and refresh your memory of where it all began. We present to your attention the history of the development of the iPad line.

Despite the fact that the iPad trademark has long acquired the status of a household name for all “tablets,” many of you are still mistaken in the opinion that it, the iPad, became the world’s first tablet. In fact, the idea of ​​​​creating a compact computer with a touch screen did not belong to Jobs at all, but to John Sculley, the former CEO of Apple Computer.

True, the Newton MessagePad 100, released in 1993, was extremely far from modern tablets, and it was called a “personal digital assistant.” After existing for 5 whole years, the project was artificially curtailed by Jobs, who returned to the company, and was thinking about implementing his own ideas.

Prototypes

Work on iPad prototypes began back in 2000. This became known during patent proceedings between Apple and Samsung, when the court ordered the Cupertino company to demonstrate the results of its initial design work. As can be seen in the photographs presented, the early samples were very bulky, more reminiscent of the iBook laptops popular at that time. Unsurprisingly, they also did not have a Home button.

“As far as I can remember, it was this copy that became the first working device, from which the iPad project grew,” Jony Ive said, speaking as a prosecution witness at one of the court hearings in the case of Apple against Samsung.

The very first iPad was unveiled by Steve Jobs on a January morning back in 2010. It was then that the public, for the first time after the release of the iPhone 2G, experienced mixed feelings, labeling the new product a stillborn product. Then the “tablet” did not have half the capabilities of modern analogues, being deprived of both cameras and clad in a heavy and thick aluminum case.

An improved modification of the first generation iPad was introduced a year later, in 2011. The device has become thinner, more compact and, importantly, lighter. In addition, front and rear cameras and 512 MB of RAM have been added. An optional “smart” Smart Cover was available, which automatically locked the device when closed and was attached to the body using a longitudinal magnet.

Apple's first tablet with a Retina display, with the unusual name The New iPad, turned out to be a rather controversial device, offering customers not only the obvious advantage of a beautiful picture, but also certain difficulties in the form of weak hardware. The A5X processor, which turned out to be just an overclocked version of the aging A5, had difficulty coping with heavy gaming titles, heating up to the point of a stove. And yet many, including the author, considered it at least a hint of revolution.

iPad 4 and iPad mini

The iPad 4 was just over 6 months away from the release of its predecessor. It's hard to imagine how the owners of The New iPad felt when they learned that their gadget had turned into a pumpkin. But the new product had clear advantages, offering users more modern and productive hardware, as well as an 8-pin Lightning connector. Along with the iPad 4, the presentation featured a “stillborn, according to the late Steve Jobs, iPad mini with a 7.9-inch screen that quickly gained incredible popularity, despite its outdated hardware.

iPad Air and iPad mini Retina

Switching to the autumn schedule for updating tablet computers, Apple introduced a new generation of tablets in October 2013. Needless to say, they turned out great. Just look at the “airy” iPad, which received a new aluminum case with record performance made possible thanks to the A7 chip and M7 coprocessor. At the same time, the iPad mini, which was previously in the shadow of its 9.7-inch brother, also received a full set of privileges in the form of completely identical hardware.

iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3

The second “air” and the third “mini” were not a revelation, even despite the appearance of a Touch ID scanner and a gold-colored body, which became even thinner. It was he who played against the usual solidity, causing the excessive softness of the structure. Those times are rightfully considered the beginning of an era of decline in the popularity of the entire line. The situation could only be corrected...

The 12.9-inch tablet became a demonstration of the capabilities of the most innovative company, receiving the most advanced hardware at an incredible cost by modern standards. The killer feature of the monstrous “tablet” was support for the Apple Pencil stylus, as well as work with external accessories using the magnetic Smart Connector. An excellent device that never gained mass distribution, it remained an exclusively niche product for designers, architects and artists.

According to rumors, the compact “proshka” will receive exactly the same set of characteristics as its larger brother. At the same time, curiously, analysts predict that the new product will have an UltraHD display and a 12-megapixel camera with the ability to record 4K video. The iPad Pro 9.7" price starts at $599 for the minimum configuration version with 32 GB of storage. Whether it’s true or fiction, we’ll find out tomorrow.

What is useful to know:

To distinguish the iPad Mini, Pro or Air models, you need to know the external features of each version. The number printed on the back cover will also help you determine which model you have in your hands. For example, if you see a number, you can be sure that you are holding an iPad mini. You can check this information on the Apple website.

iPad

The first Apple tablet went on sale in 2010. Visually, they are the most angular - the streamlined shape came only in the second generation. The front panel of the iPad 1 is exclusively black. The back cover can have one of two numbers:

  • A1219 – with Wi-Fi.
  • A1337 – with Wi-Fi and 3G.

The first model of the tablet does not have cameras, but the model with 3G support has a tray for a SIM card and an insert for the antenna.

  • A1395 – Wi-Fi.
  • A1396 – GSM.
  • A1397 – CDMA.

The version with GSM has a SIM card tray on the right side. The developers moved the speaker to the back wall of the device. The next two generations of the iPad received this design, so if the question arises of how to recognize the model, you will have to rely on the number.

The iPad 3 cannot be externally disconnected from the iPad 2 until you turn on the device - the updated version is provided by the Retina display. To avoid mistakes, look at the numbers on the back cover:

  • A1416 - Wi-Fi.
  • A1430 – GSM.
  • A1403 – CDMA.

iPad 4 continues the design traditions of the second and third versions, but presents itself as a modified port for connecting to a PC or laptop. The 4th model uses a small Lightning connector.

The fifth iPad, released in 2017, has virtually no relation to the previous four, because it comes in the body of the first iPad Air. The fifth model can be distinguished from the Air only by the presence of TouchID and the absence of hardware buttons for volume control.

mini series

The first iPad mini can be distinguished from other models by its size. In addition, all the buttons on it are made of metal, which is also a noticeable feature. There are three versions:

  • A1453 - Wi-Fi.
  • A1454 - Cellular for the USA.
  • A1455 - Global Cellular with CDMA support.

The second generation of the iPad mini tablet model is no different in appearance from the first, so you have to focus on the screen (the Retina screen is used for the first time in the series) and the numbers on the back panel:

  • A1489 - Wi-Fi.
  • A1490 – LTE.

The difference between the second and third generations is the addition of Touch ID and a new gold color scheme. Plus numbers:

  • A1599 - Wi-Fi.
  • A1600 – LTE, sold in most countries of the world.
  • A1601 – LTE, sold in Southeast Asia.

iPad mini 4 has a slightly longer and thinner body than its predecessors. Plus, the device does not have a hardware button to turn on silent mode - only volume control keys. There are two models - A1538 with Wi-Fi and A1550 with LTE.

Air Series

In the iPad Air, users saw a long-awaited update to the design that was boring during the release of the iPad 2, 3 and 4. It looks a bit like an enlarged version of the mini: the frames around the display have become smaller, as well as the thickness of the device itself. At the bottom there are paired speakers.

There are three varieties:

  • A1474 - Wi-Fi.
  • A1475 - LTE.
  • A1476 - TD-LTE, aimed at Southeast Asia.

The latest tablet in the series, called Air 2, has a Touch ID scanner on the Home button, the silent mode switch has disappeared, the design of the speakers has changed, and the thickness has decreased. Apple abandoned further production of the Air series, using the same design in the iPad 5, as we said above.

Pro Series

The Air line was chronologically replaced by the Pro series. The first model, with a diagonal of 12.9 inches and incredible performance for a tablet, is noticeably different from anything Apple has done before. The difference is added by the appearance of a new Smart Connector port for connecting a compatible keyboard.

A little later, a smaller version with a diagonal of 9.7 inches appeared. Outwardly, it is indistinguishable from the iPad Air 2, but the protruding lens and dual flash give it away as a representative of a different line.

In 2017, two more versions appeared - 10.5 inches and the second generation 12.9 inches. To distinguish the entire range of tablets from each other, look at the numbers. First generation 12.9 inches:

  • A1584 - Wi-Fi (32, 128 or 256 GB of memory).
  • A1652 - LTE (128 or 256 GB of memory).

Second generation 12.9 inches:

  • A1670.
  • A1671 – Wi-Fi + Cellular.

Pro 10.5 inches will be numbered A1701 and A1709 (Wi-Fi + Cellular). If you see the numbers A1673, A1674 or A1675 (Wi-Fi + Cellular), then you know that this is an iPad Pro 9.7 inches.

The new iPad Pro tablet was officially unveiled at Apple's presentation on October 30. The tablet turned out to be an exact copy of the model from the iOS 12.1 code, received support for facial recognition technology, which turned out to be even more advanced than in the flagship iPhone, a USB-C connector and a second-generation Apple Pencil with gesture support.

The main feature of the iPad Pro that catches your eye when you first look at the tablet is, of course, its display. The stunning IPS panel with a diagonal of 11 and 12.9 inches and bezels that tend to disappear evokes true admiration for the abilities of Apple engineers. But the main thing is that they managed to make the display absolutely symmetrical, despite the TrueDepth system, which is responsible for facial recognition.

The heart of the tablet is the eight-core A12X Bionic processor. It is 90% faster than the previous generation, which allows it to be considered one of the most productive “stones” for personal computers.

Main materials

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Breakdowns of Apple equipment can be different: it’s one thing if water is spilled on an iPhone, and quite another if its screen is shattered. Therefore, often repairing a smartphone, tablet, laptop or watch is only slightly cheaper than buying a new device. And now there are often cases when replacing a gadget with a new one is more profitable than having it repaired at a service center.