Apple isn’t fond of acknowledging other platforms. The goal is to keep you inside the walled garden — if AirPods worked just as well with Android devices as Apple products, for instance, you might buy a pair and never touch an iPhone. That, in turn, might steer you away from subscription services like Apple Music and iCloud+, since it’s not like there aren’t plenty of alternatives.
In reality, people mix and match platforms all the time, and Apple has to concede to that. If you know what you’re doing, it’s possible to blend an iPad into the Windows ecosystem — you just shouldn’t expect things to be as seamless as they would be with a Mac.
The history of iPad
Trivia challenge
From Steve Jobs’ original vision to the latest Pro models — how well do you really know Apple’s iconic tablet?
HistoryHardwareModelsFeaturesRecords
In what year did Apple first introduce the original iPad?
Correct! Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPad on January 27, 2010, describing it as a device that sits between a smartphone and a laptop. It went on sale in April 2010 and sold over 3 million units in its first 80 days.
Not quite — the original iPad was announced on January 27, 2010. Steve Jobs famously introduced it by sitting in a leather chair and browsing the web, sending a clear message that this was a relaxed, casual computing experience unlike anything before it.
What processor powered the very first iPad?
Correct! The original iPad used Apple’s A4 chip, a custom ARM-based processor that Apple designed in-house. The same chip also powered the iPhone 4, and it marked a major step in Apple’s ambition to control its own silicon.
Not quite — the first iPad was powered by the Apple A4 chip. This was one of the first major custom chips Apple designed itself, laying the groundwork for the powerful Apple Silicon we see in Macs and iPads today.
Which iPad lineup was introduced in 2015 as Apple’s largest tablet, featuring a 12.9-inch display?
Correct! Apple launched the iPad Pro in November 2015 with a massive 12.9-inch display, positioning it as a productivity powerhouse for professionals and creatives. It also introduced the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard as accessories.
The correct answer is iPad Pro. Launched in 2015, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro was Apple’s boldest tablet yet, aimed squarely at professionals. There is no ‘iPad Max’ or ‘iPad Ultra’ — Apple has kept its lineup to iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.
Which iPad was the first to support the Apple Pencil?
Correct! The first-generation iPad Pro, released in 2015, was the first iPad to support the Apple Pencil. The stylus was a surprise reveal that Steve Jobs himself had once mocked, famously saying ‘who wants a stylus?’ during the original iPhone announcement.
Not quite — Apple Pencil support debuted with the first-generation iPad Pro in 2015. It was a notable moment because Steve Jobs had famously dismissed styluses during the original iPhone launch, yet Apple ultimately embraced one to serve creative and professional users.
Before the iPad launched, which Apple co-founder reportedly said tablets would never work because people don’t want to learn to use them?
Correct! Steve Jobs was famously skeptical about tablets before eventually championing the iPad. He reportedly told his biographer Walter Isaacson that he had previously dismissed tablet PCs, but later became convinced a touchscreen slate without a keyboard could be revolutionary.
The answer is Steve Jobs. Despite being the driving force behind the iPad’s creation, Jobs had earlier dismissed the concept of tablet PCs. His change of heart led directly to the iPad’s development, which he described as the most important thing he’d ever done.
Roughly how many iPads did Apple sell in the first year after the original launched in 2010?
Correct! Apple sold approximately 15 million iPads in the product’s first year on sale, a figure that far exceeded analyst expectations. The iPad’s rapid adoption made it one of the fastest-selling consumer electronics products in history at the time.
Not quite — Apple sold around 15 million iPads in the first year. That staggering number shocked the industry and proved that the market for tablets was enormous, prompting virtually every major tech company to rush out their own competing devices.
Which iPad model was the first to ditch the Lightning connector in favour of USB-C?
Correct! The third-generation iPad Pro, released in October 2018, was the first iPad to adopt USB-C, replacing the Lightning connector Apple had used since 2012. It also introduced the new flat-edge design and Face ID, making it one of the most significant iPad redesigns ever.
The correct answer is the iPad Pro (3rd generation), released in 2018. This model was a landmark release — it introduced USB-C, removed the headphone jack, added Face ID, and debuted the flat-edged design that has since influenced the entire iPad and iPhone lineup.
What is the name of Apple’s smallest iPad, which was revived and updated in 2021 with a design overhaul?
Correct! The iPad mini received a major redesign in 2021 with its 6th generation, adopting the flat-edged look of the iPad Pro and Air, adding USB-C, and supporting the second-generation Apple Pencil. It was the biggest update the mini had seen in years and won widespread praise.
The answer is iPad mini. Apple refreshed it in 2021 with the 6th generation model, giving it a complete redesign that brought it in line with the modern iPad Pro aesthetic. There is no ‘iPad nano’ or ‘iPad compact’ — Apple has never used those names for a tablet.
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Install Apple Devices and iCloud for Windows
The bare necessities
The iTunes days are long gone. If you want to link your iPad with a Windows PC, you need two apps from the Microsoft Store: Apple Devices and iCloud. The first manages all the direct file sync functions iTunes once handled. It can also trigger software updates, and backup your device locally instead of doing it to iCloud. I actually recommend against local backups, however, unless you’re eager to avoid paying for iCloud+. If something happens to your iPad — or you decide to upgrade it — you’ll only ever be able to restore from your PC. That might be a problem if you’re sitting at work or an Apple Store.
The iCloud app enables access to photos and other files from your iPad via File Explorer, yet the most important inclusion may actually be your Apple Passwords locker. It’s entirely possible to need a password you created on your iPad for a Windows browser like Brave or Chrome, and there’s no sense having to pick up your iPad just to retrieve it.
Use remote access apps
Not just Microsoft’s
There’s a distinct advantage to pairing an iPad with a Windows PC: access to more (and frequently better) apps than the ones supported by Apple. Even an iPad Pro or Mac Studio just can’t run some software, especially most photorealistic 3D games, which can’t run at high detail without a dedicated GPU. When it comes to productivity, you might simply want access to familiar tools without having to download and log into a potentially inferior mobile version.
For general remote access, you should test out Microsoft’s own Windows App Mobile. Assuming it’s an option, that is — you need a Pro or enterprise version of Windows, which of course many people don’t have. One of the best free alternatives to this is Chrome Remote Desktop, which only requires Chrome for Windows.
Gamers needing streamlined performance have a few options, such as the Steam Link app. That enables a Remote Play connection to your PC’s Steam library. Just remember that a lot of PC games are designed around a mouse or gamepad — your iPad’s touchscreen won’t cut it.
Build a local video pipeline
Netflix no more?
I suppose this tip could apply just as well to Mac owners, but with the tools available on Windows, it seems almost ridiculous not to learn how to convert movies and shows into a format you can sync with your iPad. You can, of course, use the offline caching options in apps like Netflix and Disney+ — but those still require a subscription, and some of the best movies are either rare or completely unavailable on streaming.
Assuming you’re not sailing the seven seas (ahem), I’d recommend ripping your Blu-rays and DVDs using Handbrake. Converting to MKV will do if you use the right playback apps, but you might want to choose an MP4 encoded in H.265 for maximum compatibility. Note that if you’re ripping Blu-rays, you’ll have to look up additional tools to get around their copy protection. Never mind that you’re copying something you already own.
Once your videos are converted, you can both play and transfer them using VLC for iPad. All you have to do to import a video is open the app, tap Network or Browse, then toggle on Sharing via Wi-Fi. You’ll get an IP address you can pop into your PC’s web browser, enabling drag-and-drop transfers from File Explorer. Just be sure files are properly named and organized first. If you want to use SRT subtitle files, they need to match the exact filename of the video they’re intended for, and sit in the same folder.
