Apple iPad (Original)

[Vin173]

The original Apple iPad, released in 2010, was groundbreaking for its blend of a large 9.7-inch multi-touch display, the Apple A4 processor, and a lightweight, portable form factor that bridged the gap between smartphones and laptops. Its claim to fame was pioneering the modern tablet category with an intuitive iOS interface and extensive app ecosystem, which significantly influenced the evolution of mobile computing. The iPad’s importance lies in its revolutionary user experience and popularity, having sold over 3 million units within the first 80 days and laying the groundwork for widespread tablet adoption, making it a key artifact in computing history.

Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Model: A1219
Type: Tablet
Release Date: 2010
Cost at release: USD $549 (CAD ~$800 adjusted for inflation)
MIPS: 250-300 MIPS

Hardware Specifications

CPU: Apple A4 chip (single-core ARM Cortex-A8 CPU) clocked at 1 GHz
Memory: 256 MB
Storage options: 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB flash memory
Graphics: PowerVR SGX535 GPU
Display: 9.7-inch LED-backlit IPS LCD with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels (132 ppi)
Battery: Built-in 25 Wh rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, up to 10 hours of use
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, optional 3G (UMTS/HSDPA support), Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Ports: 30-pin dock connector, headphone jack, built-in speaker, microphone
Weight: Approximately 680 grams (1.5 pounds)
Dimensions: 242.8 mm x 189.7 mm x 13.4 mm (9.56 in x 7.47 in x 0.53 in)

Operating System & Programming Languages

Operating System: iOS 3.2
Supported Languages: it primarily ran apps written in Objective-C and later Swift, using Apple’s Xcode development environment and iOS SDK. Additionally, web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript could be used within web apps and hybrid app frameworks. Python, Java, and other languages were not natively supported but could be run via third-party interpreters or development environments designed for iOS.

Notables

It was the first successful modern tablet, popularising the tablet form factor in mainstream computing.
Nicknamed simply “iPad,” it stood as Apple’s entry into a new device category between smartphones and laptops.
It was the first consumer device with a multi-touch screen this large (9.7 inches) running a mobile OS adapted for tablet use.
The iPad introduced the concept of a portable media consumption device with instant-on and long battery life.
It featured no physical keyboard or stylus initially, focusing purely on touch interaction, which was unusual for tablets then.
Apple famously described it as “the device for browsing, e-mail, enjoying photos, watching videos, playing games, reading eBooks, and much more.”
The iPad’s launch event by Steve Jobs in January 2010 became one of the most memorable product unveiling of that era.
It held a Guinness World Record for fastest-selling consumer electronics device at the time, reaching over 3 million units sold in 80 days.
Considered a pivotal product in the shift of computing to mobile, touchscreen devices.
Early advertisements emphasised simplicity, portability, and the ability to run thousands of apps from an existing ecosystem.
It started a product line that continues to influence tablet and hybrid laptop design globally.

Donated by: Dr. Prosenjit Bose

Vintage Computing Collection