iPad (Generation 10, 64GB, 2022)

This is my 1,000th post on my Apple Collection blog!

When Apple released the iPad Generation 10, a press release noted that it featured “a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, the powerful A14 Bionic chip, advanced cameras, fast wireless connectivity, USB-C, support for the new Magic Keyboard Folio, and more.”

The iPad Generation 10 was the first base-level iPad to include an all-screen design and a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It used an A14 Bionic chip, and both the front and back camera were 12 megapixel with an Ultra Wide front camera for an “even better video calling experience.”

This was also the first base iPad to use USB-C charging. Despite the list of new technologies, the iPad 10 supported the Generation 1 Apple Pencil, released in 2015—seven years before this iPad.

Apple highlighted creative uses of the iPad 10:

“Express yourself, draw, and brainstorm on a flexible creative powerhouse. The stunning 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display makes an incredible canvas. So you can doodle, take notes, mark up documents, and a lot more with Apple Pencil.”

The iPad 10 was available during 2022–2023 at a time when online commentators noted consumer confusion in the iPad lineup. MacRumors ran an article on October 2022 expressing the sentiment with the headline, “Apple’s New iPad Lineup Causes Potential Confusion With Inconsistent Features.”

At the time, six basic iPad models were available, with several sharing similar characteristics. As of 2023, iPad Pro models were available in 12.9- and 11-inch configurations, an iPad Air had a 10.9-inch display, this iPad 10 had a 10.9-inch display, an iPad mini had an 8.3-inch display—while Apple continued to offer the 10.2-inch iPad Generation 9.

This iPad 10 is the 64GB, Wi-Fi 6 model in Blue. The anodized texture and brightness of the color add a depth to this iPad’s finish.

Sources: Apple (Newsroom, Product), Wikipedia, MacRumors

iPad Pro (10.5-inch, 64GB, Space Gray, 2017)

When Apple introduced the 10.5-inch iPad Pro in 2017, they described it as having “the world’s most advanced display and breakthrough performance.” This 10.5-inch iPad Pro was released along with a similar 12.9-inch pro model.

Apple’s press release described the features in detail:

“Apple today introduced an all-new 10.5-inch iPad Pro and a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro, featuring the world’s most advanced display with ProMotion technology and incredible performance with the new A10X Fusion chip. The new 10.5-inch model reduces the borders by nearly 40 percent to fit into an incredibly compact package that still weighs just one pound. Combined with powerful new iPad features in iOS 11 coming this fall, like the all-new Files app, customizable Dock, improved multitasking and deeper integration of Apple Pencil, iPad Pro gives users the ability to be even more productive and creative.”

The 10.5-inch iPad Pro (model A1701) was available in silver, space gray, gold, and rose gold. It was originally priced at US$649 for the 64GB with Wi-Fi model and US$$779 for the 64GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model.

This iPad was 9.8 inches high, 6.8 inches wide, 0.24 inch deep, and weighed 1.03 pounds. Its touch screen was 10.5-inch (diagonal) with an LED-backlit Multi-Touch display, at 2224×1668 resolution (264ppi).

This 10.5-inch iPad Pro is a WiFi version with 64GB in Space Gray.

Sources: Apple (Newsroom, Specs)

iPad Pro (9.7-inch, 2016)

When Apple released the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, they described the device: “Breakthrough Pro Features & Advanced Display Technologies Come to the Most Popular iPad Size.” Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, added,

“iPad Pro is a new generation of iPad that is indispensable and immersive, enabling people to be more productive and more creative. It’s incredibly fast, extremely portable, and completely natural to use with your fingers, Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. And now it comes in two sizes. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro has a new Retina display with True Tone technology, four-speaker audio system, blazing fast A9X chip, 12-megapixel iSight camera, 5-megapixel FaceTime HD camera, faster wireless, and support for Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. It is the ultimate upgrade for existing iPad users and replacement for PC users.”

The iPad Pro 9.7-inch was offered in Silver, Gold, Space Gray, and Rose Gold in Wi‑Fi-only and Wi-Fi+Cellular options with 32GB, 128GB, or 256GB storage. This is a Space Gray, Wi-Fi-only, 32GB model.

Its form factor was similar to other 9.7-inch iPad models offered by Apple. It measured 9.4 inches (240 mm) x 6.6 inches (169.5 mm), and was 0.24 inch (6.1 mm) thick. It weighed 0.96 pound (437 grams).

The primary back camera was 12-megapixel with features including Live Photos, Autofocus, True Tone flash, Panorama (up to 63 megapixels), and auto HDR. The front FaceTime HD camera was 5-megapixel with support for 720p HD video recording.

This iPad had 6 sensors, including Touch ID, a 3‐axis gyro, accelerometer, barometer, ambient light sensor, and Touch ID built into the Home button.

The iPad 9.7-inch shipped with iOS 10. As of 2023, Apple has never released another 9.7-inch iPad Pro model.

Sources: Apple (Newsroom, Tech Specs)

Designed by Apple in California book (2016)

Released in November 2016, Designed by Apple in California was a photo book that documented 20 years of design at Apple. The book contains 450 photos depicting products from the original 1998 iMac to the original Apple Pencil released in 2015. The book “also documents the materials and techniques used by Apple’s design team over two decades of innovation.”

In the book’s foreward, Jony Ive, Apple’s Chief Design Officer, stated:

“While this is a design book, it is not about the design team, the creative process or product development. It is an objective representation of our work… We strive, with varying degrees of success, to define objects that appear effortless. Objects that appear so simple, coherent and inevitable that there could be no rational alternative.”

The book itself was described by Apple:

Designed by Apple in California is available in two sizes and printed on specially milled, custom-dyed paper with gilded matte silver edges, using eight color separations and low-ghost ink. This linen-bound, hardcover volume was developed over an eight-year period. It is published by Apple.”

The large book measured 13 x 16.25 inches and was sold for $299. The small book was 10.20 x 12.75 inches and was sold for $199. The book could be purchased at apple.com and at selected Apple Stores, including Apple SoHo, Apple Fifth Avenue, Apple Upper East Side, Apple Williamsburg and Apple World Trade Center in New York; Apple The Grove in Los Angeles and Apple Third Street in Santa Monica; Apple North Michigan Avenue in Chicago; Apple Lincoln Road in Miami; Apple Northpark in Dallas; Apple Union Square in San Francisco; Apple Palo Alto and Apple Infinite Loop in Cupertino.

This example is the large version of the book, unopened in its original box. I purchased this book at the Chicago Apple Store on Michigan Avenue.

Source: Apple

Smart Folio for iPad Pro 11-inch (Electric Orange, 2021)

This iPad Smart Folio was released in Electric Orange along with the Generation 3, 11-inch iPad Pro. This folio was also compatible with the Generation 1 and 2 11-inch iPad Pro models. Apple describes the Smart Folio for iPad Pro:

“The Smart Folio for iPad Pro is thin and light and offers front and back protection for your device. It automatically wakes your iPad when opened and puts it to sleep when closed. The Smart Folio attaches magnetically, and you can easily fold it into different positions to create a stand for reading, viewing, typing, or making FaceTime calls.”

In addition to black and white, this version of the Smart Folio for iPad Pro was also available in English Lavender, Dark Navy, Mallard Green, and this color called Electric Orange.

Unlike previous Smart Cover models for iPad, this Smart Folio offers front and back protection using the iPad Pro internal magnets. The front cover folds to allow two different angles, and also folds with the magnets to allow a completely flat position.

Finally, since this iPad is compatible with the Apple Pencil Generation 2, the Smart Folio allows the Apple Pencil to magnetically attach to the side of the iPad for storage and charging.

Source: Apple

Apple Pencil (Generation 2, 2018)

The second generation Apple Pencil was released along with the Generation 3 iPad Pro on October 30, 2018. The new Apple Pencil was described by Apple in a press release: 

“A second-generation Apple Pencil magnetically attaches to iPad Pro and wirelessly charges at the same time. A new touch sensor built onto Apple Pencil detects taps, introducing an entirely new way to interact within apps.”

This Apple Pencil charged with a magnetic charger built into the iPad instead of the Lightning connector used to charge the original Apple Pencil.

Apple lists the capabilities of the Apple Pencil Generation 2 as including:

  • Wireless pairing and charging
  • Attaches magnetically
  • Double-tap to change tools
  • Pixel-perfect precision
  • Tilt and pressure sensitivity
  • Imperceptible lag
  • Free engraving

Although small design changes, the second generation Apple Pencil featured two flat edges and a matte-textured finish, making it feel more like a traditional pencil. It was also less prone to rolling off the table.

This post was updated in October 2021 to include the unboxing and shots of the Apple Pencil Generation 2 being used with an iPad Pro 11-inch (2021) and Apple’s Smart Folio.

Sources: Apple (Newsroom, Apple Pencil)

Apple Pencil (original, 2015)

The original Apple Pencil was released along with the original iPad Pro in September 2015. The Apple Pencil can be used by the iPad Air (Generation 3), iPad mini (Generation 5), iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad (Generation 6 and 7), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (Generation 1 and 2), and iPad Pro 9.7-inch. It pairs to an iPad device using Bluetooth, and has a removable magnetically attached cap hiding a Lightning connector.

The original Apple Pencil somewhat awkwardly charges by plugging it into the lightning port of an Apple device; however, it also includes a female-to-female adapter that allows charging with a Lightning cable. While a full charge can last up to 12 hours, a 15-second charge provides about 30 minutes of use.

The Apple Pencil can be used for writing, drawing, or annotating in a wide variety of apps. Apple describes its features as having “pixel-perfect precision, tilt and pressure sensitivity, and imperceptible lag.”

Source: Wikipedia, Apple (description, specifications)

iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 2015) with Smart Keyboard for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2015) and Apple Pencil (original, 2015)

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro was powered by an Apple A9X processor and had 4 GB of RAM; 32, 128, or 256 GB of storage; a rear-mounted 8 megapixel iSight camera (1080p); a front-mounted 1.2 megapixel FaceTime HD camera (720p); 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 4.2; dual microphones; two sets of stereo speakers; and a Lightning port. The screen was a 12.9-inch TFT touch-sensitive Retina display with 5.6 million pixels (2732×2048 at 264 ppi) and included an antireflective coating. A cellular-equipped model was also available.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro was available in silver with a white front, gold with a white front, and space gray with a black front. This model is space gray.

This iPad Pro included a new Smart Connector that provided connectivity and power for the Apple Smart Keyboard.

The Apple Pencil was announced with this first-generation iPad Pro on September 9, 2015. The Pencil could be used with the first and second generation iPad Pro models. It connected wirelessly using Bluetooth and had a removable cap that concealed a Lightning connector for charging. It used pressure sensitivity and angle detection and had very low latency, making it function like a real pencil with no delay.

Sources: EveryMac.com, Wikipedia.com