iPad · The Aluminum Age · 2010
iPad (1st generation)
Critics called it "just a big iPhone"; buyers made it a sensation, selling a million in under a month. The A4 inside was the seed of the entire Apple Silicon story.
Defined the modern tablet and shipped Apple’s first in-house A-series chip.
iPad 2 (2011)
▶ Watch the keynote where it was unveiled →
iPad (1st generation): key facts
When was the iPad (1st generation) released?
The iPad (1st generation) arrived on April 3, 2010. Apple discontinued it in March 2011.
How much did the iPad (1st generation) cost?
The iPad (1st generation) launched at $499 in 2010, about $734 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Apple A4 at 1 GHz, 256 MB RAM, 16 GB storage, 9.7" IPS LCD, 1024×768 display.
Why does the iPad (1st generation) matter?
Defined the modern tablet and shipped Apple’s first in-house A-series chip.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple A4 · 1 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 256 MB |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Display | 9.7" IPS LCD, 1024×768 |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX535 |
| Ports | 30-pin dock |
| Weight | 680 g |
| Dimensions | 242.8×189.7×13.4 mm |
| Operating system | iPhone OS 3.2 |
| Released | April 3, 2010 |
| Discontinued | March 2011 |
| Launch price | $499 |
How the iPad (1st generation) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 64× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 1 GHz, the clock is roughly 3.2× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 4,100 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $499 in 2010, about $734 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
Steve Jobs unveiled it from a comfy leather armchair on stage.
Related iPad models
Open the iPad (1st generation) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11