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iPad Q&A (iPad FAQ)
Update Published June 16, 2022
Also see: iPad Specs | All Apple Q&As
EveryiPad.com's iPad Q&A answers questions about all full-size "regular" iPad models. The iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro lines are covered in separate Q&As. Questions in this Q&A range from "What are all the differences between the current iPad 9th Gen and the iPad 8th Gen models replaced?" to "How fast is the current regular iPad compared to its predecessors? How fast is it compared to the iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro?" and everything in between.
Please note that the current regular iPad models are the iPad 10th Gen series. This Q&A covers current and previous regular iPad models in-depth. Other current iPad models are the iPad mini A17 Pro, iPad Air M2, and iPad Pro M4; these and earlier Q&As from the iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro lines are covered in their respective Q&As.
Also see:
 iPad mini Q&A |
 iPad Air Q&A |
 iPad Pro Q&A |
Be sure to see EveryiPad.com's iPad Troubleshooting & Repair Q&A, too.
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Most Frequently Asked iPad Q&As:
Which iPad models support iPadOS 18? Do some models "partially" support iPadOS 18? Which ones?
What are all the differences between the iPad 9th Gen (2021) and the iPad 8th Gen (2020) replaced?
What is the best external keyboard for the regular iPad models? Does the iPad even support an external keyboard? What about an external mouse?
What are the main differences between the iPad and the MacBook Air? Which makes the most sense for my needs?
How fast is the iPad 9th Gen (2021) compared to the iPad 8th Gen (2020) that it replaced? How fast is it compared to earlier iPads? How fast is it compared to the iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro?
What is the Apple SIM? How is it different from a regular SIM? Which iPad models support the Apple SIM?
Can the regular iPad models be used as an external display for a Mac or PC? How? Which regular iPad models support Sidecar?
How much internal storage do the regular iPad models have? Is it possible to add external storage? Which external storage option is best for my needs?
How do you connect a camera to the iPad to transfer photos? Does it have an SD card slot?
Do the iPad models have a SIM card? Which iPad models use which types of SIM Cards? Micro? Nano? Apple? eSIM?
See iPad mini Q&A, iPad Air Q&A, and iPad Pro Q&A for other iPads.
iPad Basics Q&As:
What is the iPad, exactly? What is the iPad used for?
What market is the iPad designed to reach? What type of needs does it address? Who is expected to buy it?
Can you make phone calls with the iPad?
What is Micro SIM? How is it different from regular SIM cards? Which iPad models use a Micro SIM card?
What is Nano SIM? How is different from Micro SIM or a regular SIM card? Which iPad models use a Nano SIM card?
What is the Apple SIM? How is it different from a regular SIM? Which iPad models support the Apple SIM?
Do the iPad models have a SIM card? Which iPad models use which types of SIM Cards? Micro? Nano?
How do you cut down a Mini SIM card to the size of a Micro SIM or Nano SIM card?
What is the best external keyboard for the regular iPad models? Does the iPad even support an external keyboard? What about an external mouse?
Do the regular iPad models support pen input? Which ones? Do they support the Apple Pencil?
Does the iPad support handwriting recognition?
Do all the regular iPad models have a camera? How many megapixels is each?
How do you print directly from the iPad without transferring files to a computer first? Is it possible?
iPad Software & Software Compatibility Q&As:
Which iPad models support iPadOS 18? Do some models "partially" support iPadOS 18? Which ones?
Which iPad models support iPadOS 17? Do some models "partially" support iPadOS 17? Which ones?
Which iPad models support iPadOS 16? Do some models "partially" support iPadOS 16? Which ones?
Which iPad models support iPadOS 15? Do some models "partially" support iPadOS 15? Which ones?
Which iPad models support iPadOS 14? Do some models "partially" support iPadOS 14? Which ones?
Which iPad models support iPadOS (13)? Do some models "partially" support iPadOS (13)? Which ones?
What operating system do the regular, full-size iPad models use? Which iPad models support which versions of the iOS? Which features are and are not supported by different models?
Are operating system updates for the iPad models free?
Can applications that run on the iPhone and iPod touch run on the iPad? Can the iPad models run Mac OS X applications?
Can the iPad be used to type documents? Can it open and save Microsoft Office files? Can it open and save PDF files?
Which regular iPad models support Sidecar?
Do the iPad models support Flash?
Do the iPad models support Voice Control?
Do the iPad models support Siri?
Do the iPad models support Skype? Can they be used to make VOIP calls?
iPad Comparison Q&As (2021 Discontinued Models):
What are all the differences between the 10.2" iPad 9th Gen (2021) models?
What are all the differences between the iPad 9th Gen (2021) and the iPad 8th Gen (2020) replaced?
How fast is the iPad 9th Gen (2021) compared to the iPad 8th Gen (2020) that it replaced? How fast is it compared to earlier iPads? How fast is it compared to the iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro?
What are the general "pros and cons" of the regular iPad models? Is one the best iPad for me?
What are the main differences between the iPad and the MacBook Air? Which makes the most sense for my needs?
iPad Comparison Q&As (2020 Discontinued Models):
What are all the differences between the 10.2" iPad 8th Gen (2020) models?
What are all the differences between the iPad 8th Gen (2020) and the iPad 7th Gen (2019) replaced?
How fast is the iPad 8th Gen (2020) compared to the iPad 7th Gen (2019) that it replaced? How fast is it compared to earlier iPads? How fast is it compared to the iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro?
What are the main differences between the iPad and the MacBook Air? Which makes the most sense for my needs?
iPad 7th Gen Comparison Q&As (2019 Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the 10.2" iPad 7th Gen (2019) models?
What are all the differences between the 10.2" iPad 7th Gen (2019) models and the 9.7" iPad 6th Gen (2018) models replaced?
How fast is the iPad 7th Gen (2019) compared to earlier regular iPad models? How fast is it compared to the iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro?
What are the main differences between the iPad and the MacBook Air? Which makes the most sense for my needs?
iPad 5th/6th Gen Comparison Q&As (2017/2018; Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the 9.7" iPad 5th Gen (2017) models?
What are all the differences between the 9.7" iPad 5th Gen (2017) models and the iPad Air models replaced?
How fast is the 9.7" iPad 5th Gen (2017) compared to the iPad Pro (2nd Gen)?
What are all the differences between the 9.7" iPad 6th Gen (2018) models?
What are all the differences between the 9.7" iPad 6th Gen (2018) models and the iPad 5th Gen (2017) models replaced?
Vintage iPad Comparison Q&As (2010-2014; Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the original iPad (1st Gen/iPad 1) models?
How does the original iPad compare to the Amazon Kindle 2, Kindle DX and B&N nook that were available when the iPad was introduced?
How does the original iPad compare to the Axiotron ModBook?
What is the battery life of the original iPad in "real-world" tests?
What are the "pros and cons" of the original iPad (1st Gen/iPad 1)? Is it right for me? Is it "worth" buying?
What are all the differences between the iPad 2 models?
What are all the differences between the original iPad (1st Gen/iPad 1) and the iPad 2?
How does the performance of the iPad 2 compare to the original iPad? How much faster is the iPad 2?
What is the battery life of the iPad 2 in "real-world" tests?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPad 2? Does it make sense for my needs?
What are all the differences between the iPad 3rd Gen models?
What are all the differences between the iPad 2 and the iPad 3rd Gen?
How does the performance of the iPad 3rd Gen compare to the iPad 2? How much faster is the iPad 3rd Gen?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPad 3rd Gen?
What are all the differences between the iPad 4th Gen models? Should I still buy an iPad 4th Gen or should I buy a newer iPad?
What are all the differences between the iPad 4th Gen (Late 2012) and the iPad 3rd Gen (Early 2012) that it replaced?
How does the performance of the iPad 4th Gen compare to the iPad 3rd Gen and earlier iPad models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the iPad 4th Gen?
iPad Expansion & Connectivity Q&As:
How much internal storage do the regular iPad models have? Is it possible to add external storage? Which external storage option is best for my needs?
Do the regular iPad models support Bluetooth?
What is the best external keyboard for the regular iPad models? Does the iPad even support an external keyboard? What about an external mouse?
How do you connect a regular iPad to a television or projector to display photos or video? What formats and resolutions does it support? What are the video out differences between iPad models?
Can the regular iPad models be used as an external display for a Mac or PC? How?
Which regular iPad models support Sidecar?
How do you connect a camera to the iPad to transfer photos? Does it have an SD card slot?
iPad Functionality Q&As:
Do the regular iPad models support pen input? Which ones? Do they support the Apple Pencil?
Do all the regular iPad models have a camera? What are the differences between the cameras on each iPad?
What are the differences between the displays on different regular iPad models? What is the viewing angle of the iPad? Is the screen visible from the sides or does it have to be held immediately in front of one person?
How do you connect a regular iPad to a television or projector to display photos or video? What formats and resolutions does it support? What are the video out differences between iPad models?
How do you connect a camera to the iPad to transfer photos? Does it have an SD card slot?
How do you print directly from the iPad without transferring files to a computer first? Is it possible?
iPad Cellular & Wireless Q&As:
Can you make phone calls with the iPad?
What is Micro SIM? How is it different from a regular SIM card?
What is Nano SIM? How is different from Micro SIM or a regular SIM card? Which iPad models use a Nano SIM card?
Do the iPad models have a SIM card? Which iPad models use which types of SIM Cards? Micro? Nano?
How do you cut down a Mini SIM card to the size of a Micro SIM or Nano SIM card?
Do the iPad models have a SIM card? Which iPad models use SIM, Mini SIM, Micro SIM or Nano SIM cards?
Can you purchase the iPad "unlocked" or is it tied to a wireless carrier?
What is 3G? How much faster is 3G than EDGE in real-world tests?
What is A-GPS?
Do the regular iPad models support Bluetooth?
iPad Design & Purchasing Q&As:
Who designed the iPad?
What font does the iPad interface use?
What are the general "pros and cons" of the regular iPad models? Is one the best iPad for me?
Where is the iPad available for purchase? Can it be purchased from Apple Authorized Resellers?
Can you purchase the iPad "unlocked" or is it tied to a wireless carrier?
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