An iPad is a tablet PC that Apple produced, which allows users to browse the web, access email, and run applications while traveling. iPads are larger than smartphones, but smaller than laptops and extremely portable and lightweight. iPads are based on touch screen technology and include support for WiFi, Bluetooth, and 3G. iPads are not built with a USB port or other external memory port, but may include one or more built-in cameras.

 

When was the iPad Released?

The original WiFi-only iPad model was released in the United States on April 3rd, 2010, while the WiFi + 3G model was released in the United States on April 30th, 2010. Both the Wifi-only and WiFi + 3G iPad models were released internationally on May 28th, 2010. Since both of these models were already available, they were both released simultaneously in the iPad 2 version, which was released in the United States on March 11, 2011 and internationally on March 25th, 2011. iOS 4.2.5 was released internationally on July 25th, 2011 and Apple sold a total of 28.73 million iPads by June 25th, 2011.

 

When was the Tablet PC Released?

Though the iPad was not released until 2010, the first tablet PC, which Microsoft produced, was released in 2002 based on Microsoft’s own equipment specifications. The Microsoft Tablet PC ran the original Windows XP version known as Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, which was used before Windows XP itself ever reached desktop computers. Though Microsoft did not successfully market its tablet PC until almost a decade later, many other computer manufacturers have since produced dozens of various tablet PCs that have become almost as commonplace as laptops.