Can you purchase the iPad "unlocked" or is it tied to a wireless carrier?

iPad models equipped with wireless mobile data connectivity (3G, 4G+LTE, or 5G), regardless of generation, are "unlocked" and not tied to a carrier in the United States.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Cellular Capable iPad Models)

However, just because the iPad is sold unlocked does not mean that any specific version of the device will work on all carriers. Be sure to pay attention to supported frequency details is important to avoid disappointment, and perhaps even more so on the used market.

Where is the iPad available for purchase? Can it be purchased from Apple Authorized Resellers?

Originally, the iPad only was available for purchase direct from Apple and "select resellers" in the United States. However, Apple now allows all Apple Authorized Resellers to sell the iPad.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK.

Who designed the iPad?

The original iPad was designed entirely in-house, and like the iPhone before it, the design team no doubt included the late Steve Jobs, Apple CEO; Jonathan Ive, the director of Apple's Industrial Design Group; and Scott Forstall, the former Apple vice president of Platform Experience.

However, it is important to recognize that the iPad was created by a team of dozens, even hundreds, of designers, engineers, and programmers.

What font does the iPad interface use?

Like the pre-iPhone 4 iPhone models, the original iPad and iPad 2 models use the Helvetica font for the interface. Like the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, the iPad 3rd Gen, iPad 4th Gen, and iPad mini models all used Helvetica Neue at the time of their release.

When running iOS 7 or iOS 8, all iPad devices use Helvetica Ultra Light or Helvetica Light. When running iOS 9, all iPad models use a font that is fairly similar to Helvetica, but that Apple calls "San Francisco" and that is shared by the Apple Watch. In iOS 10, iOS 11, and iOS 12, Apple made additional tweaks to the system font, and in iOS 11 and later it commonly is called "SF Pro" in Developer's Guidelines. Starting with iPadOS (13), it also became possible to install custom fonts. Finally, starting with iOS 14, the iPadOS "provides the San Francisco and New York fonts in the variable font format" for default use.