iPad A4 2010

Alongside its 3G/A-GPS equipped counterpart, the original Wi-Fi only Apple iPad (1st Gen/A1219)—hailed as a "magical and revolutionary" device—is a tablet designed for web browsing, email, photos, videos, music, gaming, and e-books.

It features a 9.7-inch (1024x768, 132 ppi) multitouch "glossy" LED-backlit IPS display and runs a version of the same operating system as the iPhone and iPod touch (originally iPhone OS 3.2, Build 7B367). This makes it compatible with many iPhone/iPod touch apps, but not Mac OS X. It also syncs with a Mac or PC like an iPhone or iPod touch but can be used as a computer with a Bluetooth keyboard or keyboard "dock."

It is powered by a custom 1 GHz Apple A4 "system on a chip," has 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB of flash storage, and supports 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi. The device includes an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, dual mono speakers, and a built-in mic. It is housed in a 0.5-inch thick, 1.5-pound glass and aluminum case. Battery life is rated at 10 hours for Wi-Fi web surfing, video, or music, with a month of standby time.

The original Wi-Fi-only iPad was a truly revolutionary product that created the modern tablet market. Its 9.7-inch screen provided a large, immersive canvas for web browsing, photos, and media that felt more personal than a laptop. The A4 processor delivered surprisingly fluid performance for a first-generation device, and the battery life was excellent. While it lacked cameras and was considered heavy by later standards, its intuitive multi-touch interface, simple software, and access to the burgeoning App Store made it feel like a magical piece of technology. It successfully bridged the gap between a smartphone and a laptop, offering a new and compelling way to interact with digital content in the home.