It shipped with iOS 6, which provides a platform for audio-visual media, including electronic books, periodicals, films, music, computer games, presentations and web content.

[19] The device is available with either a black or white front glass panel and various connectivity and storage options.

The fourth-generation iPad received positive reviews and was praised for its hardware improvements as well as the Retina display, which was also featured in the device's predecessor.

Furthermore, benchmarks reveal that the fourth-generation iPad is able to perform CPU-reliant tasks twice as fast as its predecessor.

[20] Further speculations emerged in July 2012 when DigiTimes, with the help of unspecified sources, claimed that Apple made small revisions to the then upcoming iPad and scheduled its release for late 2012.

[24] Photographic images of the device's dock connector and front camera emerged shortly before the media event.

[26] During the unveiling, Apple stated that the fourth-generation iPad would be available to pre-order online in a selected number of countries starting October 26.

[27] On November 2, Apple released the Wi-Fi model of device in 35 countries across Europe, East Asia and North America.

It can act as a hotspot with some carriers, sharing its Internet connection over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB,[32] and also access the Apple App Store, a digital application distribution platform for iOS.

The service allows users to browse and download applications from the iTunes Store that were developed with Xcode and the iOS SDK and were published through Apple.

[13] Externally, the fourth-generation iPad is identical to its predecessor apart from the differences between dock connectors used and change of manufacturers that produce the display.

The fourth-generation iPad is available with 16, 32, 64 or 128 GB of internal flash memory, with no expansion option.

Apple sells a "camera connection kit" with an SD card reader, but it can only be used to transfer photos and videos.

[13] This iPad uses an internal rechargeable lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) battery that can hold a charge of 11,560 mAh.

[48] The iPad is designed to be charged with a relatively high current of 2 amps using the included 12 W USB power adapter and Lightning connector.

High-power USB ports found in newer computers and accessories provide full charging capabilities.

[54][55] Apple offers several other accessories,[56] most of which are adapters for the proprietary Lightning connector, the only port besides the headphone jack.

[58] Tim Stevens of Engadget praised the Retina Display and labelled it as the best screen available on tablets.

Benchmarks and tests conducted by Engadget resulted in Stevens concluding that the fourth-generation iPad is the fastest Apple mobile device available, surpassing a "record" that the iPhone 5 held for a brief period.

[59] A series of benchmark tests conducted on the graphics performance of the fourth-generation iPad by Anandtech resulted in the device achieving the highest score compared to other consumer mobile devices, including the Samsung Galaxy S III, Nexus 10 and third-generation iPad.

[62] Despite the noted slump in sales, Apple's stock price, in direct response to the figures released, rose by 1.4% to $584.62 on November 5.