Like earlier iPad models, the iPad 3rd is a tablet computer for the web, e-mail, photos, video, music, gaming and more. Unlike earlier iPad models, however, the iPad 3rd Gen line is significantly more powerful and the focus has shifted more substantially from consuming content to creating it.

All iPad 3rd Gen models most notably feature a "resolutionary" 9.7-inch 2048x1536 (264 ppi) multitouch glossy LED-backlit "retina" display, but also pack a dual-core 1 GHz Apple A5X "system on a chip" with quad core graphics, 1 GB of RAM, a rear-mounted 5 megapixel "iSight" camera capable of shooting stills and 1080p video and a front-mounted VGA-quality "FaceTime" camera, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and more.

Compared to the iPad 2 models, major differences for the iPad 3rd Gen line include a higher-resolution display, faster processor, better camera, and improved connectivity.