Originally Posted by chenks:
“assuming the OP is talking about buying a new iPad then there won't be any confusion.”
But the "new iPad" was the 3rd generation model (now discontinued)!
Originally Posted by louise1966:
“iPad 4 is the one with retina display, and is referred to as such, so thanks for confirming that 4 is the most recent. Do you know when the 5 will be released, and what the improvements will be? Thanks.”
Until the 4th generation iPad, each model was released in March/April (April 2010, March 2011, March 2012).
The 4th generation iPad was announced in October 2012 and released at the start of November 2012. The assumption has been that Apple changed the "usual" schedule from Spring to "Fall" for two reasons: to get the iPad updated with the new "Lightning" connector (introduced in September 2012's iPhone 5) [and update other things] earlier than waiting for Spring 2013, and to shift the "usual" schedule into a more lucrative time of year: The holiday season.
As there has been no new model of iPad yet this year, and as there has always been a new model every year, the various news sites and rumourmongers are speculating that a 5th generation iPad will be released before the end of this year, perhaps repeating last year's October announcement / November release.
There have been enough "leaks" and "sources" to make it fairly certain that there will be an update soon, and that it is likely to involve the "usual spec bump" (e.g. a shift to the new A7 processor as used in the iPhone 5S) combined with a new design that has a smaller bezel (border around the screen) as introduced with the iPad Mini. There is also speculation of a new screen technology being used ("IGZO"), which would enable the screen to be thinner and lighter and not need such a hefty battery.
e.g.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/...coming-in-2014
I would definitely recommend against buying a new iPad now, given the likelihood of a new version in the next couple of months.
Keep an eye on the Apple news sites such as these...
http://www.macrumors.com/
http://appleinsider.com/