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iPads
Table Of Contents
Chapter 1. iPads
The following iPads are supported by TouchBistro. Consult this chart for our recommendations regarding suitability for use with TouchBistro Standard/Pro/Integrated Pro Server, or for use in a food truck. Supported iPads are primarily identified by their model number (e.g., A2197) followed by their informal name (e.g., iPad 10.2″). See this guide if you’re unsure how to find your iPad’s model number.
We recommend always purchasing the most current iPads sold by Apple.
Symbols: 
– Wi-Fi | 
= Cellular | 
= Lighting Port | 
= Audio Port | 
= USB-C Port
Section 1. Recommended iPads
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Family
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Model #
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For Sale by Apple?
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Highest OS
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Recommended for Single/Multi?
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Meets Integrated Pro Server “Main Device” Specs?
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Compatible with a Food Truck without a Cellular Router?
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iPad
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A2197
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Y
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Latest
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Y
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Y
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N
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iPad
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A2200/A2198
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Y
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Latest
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N
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Y
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Y
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Family
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Model #
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For Sale by Apple?
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Highest OS
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Recommended for Single/Multi?
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Meets Integrated Pro Server “Main Device” Specs?
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Compatible with a Food Truck without a Cellular Router?
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iPad Mini
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Y
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Latest
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Y
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Y
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N
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iPad Mini
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A2124/A2126
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Y
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Latest
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N
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Y
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Y
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Family
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Model #
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For Sale by Apple?
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Highest OS
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Recommended for Single/Multi?
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Meets Integrated Pro Server “Main Device” Specs?
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Compatible with a Food Truck without a Cellular Router?
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iPad Air
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A2152
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Y
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Latest
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Y
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Y
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N
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iPad Air
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A2123/A2153
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Y
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Latest
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N
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Y
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Y
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Family
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Model #
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For Sale by Apple?
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Highest OS
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Recommended for Single/Multi?
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Meets Integrated Pro Server “Main Device” Specs?
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Compatible with a Food Truck without a Cellular Router?
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iPad Pro
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A1980
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Y
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Latest
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Y
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Y (see Note 4)
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N
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iPad Pro
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A1876
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Y
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Latest
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Y
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Y (see Note 4)
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N
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iPad Pro
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A1934/A2013
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Y
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Latest
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N
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Y (see Note 4)
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Y
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iPad Pro
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A1895/A2014
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Y
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Latest
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N
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Y (see Note 4)
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Y
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Family
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Model #
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For Sale by Apple?
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Highest OS
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Recommended for Single/Multi?
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Meets Integrated Pro Server “Main Device” Specs?
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Compatible with a Food Truck without a Cellular Router?
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Section 2. Supported iPads
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Family
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Model #
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For Sale by Apple?
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Highest OS
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Recommended for Single/Multi?
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Meets Integrated Pro Server “Main Device” Specs?
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Compatible with a Food Truck without a Cellular Router?
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iPad
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A1893
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N
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Latest
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Y
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Y
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N
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iPad
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A1822
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N
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Latest
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N
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N
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N
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iPad
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A1954
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N
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Latest
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N
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Y
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Y
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iPad
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A1823
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N
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Latest
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N
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N
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Y
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Family
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Model #
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For Sale by Apple?
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Highest OS
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Recommended for Single/Multi?
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Meets Integrated Pro Server “Main Device” Specs?
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Compatible with a Food Truck without a Cellular Router?
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iPad Mini
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A1538
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N
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Latest
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N
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N
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N
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iPad Mini
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A1599
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N
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12.4.5
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N
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N
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N
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iPad Mini
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A1489
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N
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12.4.5
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N
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N
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N
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iPad Mini
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A1550
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N
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Latest
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N
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N
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Y
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iPad Mini
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A1600
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N
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12.4.5
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N
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N
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Y
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iPad Mini
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A1490
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N
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12.4.5
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N
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N
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Y
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Family
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Model #
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For Sale by Apple?
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Highest OS
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Recommended for Single/Multi?
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Meets Integrated Pro Server “Main Device” Specs?
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Compatible with a Food Truck without a Cellular Router?
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iPad Air
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A1566
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N
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Latest
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N
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N
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N
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iPad Air
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A1474
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N
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12.4.5
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N
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N
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N
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iPad Air
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A1567
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N
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Latest
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N
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N
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Y
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iPad Air
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A1475/A1476
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N
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12.4.5
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N
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N
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Y
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Family
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Model #
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For Sale by Apple?
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Highest OS
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Recommended for Single/Multi?
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Meets Integrated Pro Server “Main Device” Specs?
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Compatible with a Food Truck without a Cellular Router?
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iPad Pro
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A1701
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N
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Latest
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N
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Y (see Note 4)
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N
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iPad Pro
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A1670
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N
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Latest
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N
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Y (see Note 4)
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N
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iPad Pro
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A1673
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N
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Latest
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N
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N
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N
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iPad Pro
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A1584
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N
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Latest
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N
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N
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N
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iPad Pro
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A1709
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N
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Latest
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N
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Y (see Note 4)
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Y
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iPad Pro
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A1671
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N
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Latest
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N
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Y (see Note 4)
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Y
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iPad Pro
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A1674/A1675
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N
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Latest
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N
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N
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Y
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iPad Pro
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A1652
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N
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Latest
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N
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N
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Y
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Family
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Model #
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For Sale by Apple?
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Highest OS
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Recommended for Single/Multi?
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Meets Integrated Pro Server “Main Device” Specs?
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Compatible with a Food Truck without a Cellular Router?
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Section 3. Symbol Notes
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Symbol
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Meaning
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Notes
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Wi-Fi
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All iPads come equipped with Wi-Fi. This iPad requires a router.
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Cellular capable
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No router is required as long as you have a SIM card. Food truck configurations using a cellular iPad also require either a Bluetooth or USB receipt printer. If your non-food truck venue has access to cable or ADSL Internet (for example, quick-serve restaurants or restaurants with tableside service), purchasing iPads that support cellular connectivity would be an unnecessary expense for non-food truck venues. As well, food trucks with a cellular router are advised to purchase the Wi-Fi only model. For a greater discussion of hardware requirements for a food truck, see this guide.
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Uses an Apple lightning connector port
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These ports are compatible with iDynamo swipers
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Uses USB-C connector
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These iPads do not use the Apple lightning cable but use a USB-C cable. They are not compatible with iDynamo swipers. As well, if you are using the TSP100III (TSP143IIIU) USB printer, ensure you have the proper USB-C cable to plug into the printer.
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Has an audio jack connector
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The audio jack connector can be used for uDynamo, Square, and TouchBistro Payments RP457c payment devices. As well, an audio jack can be used to improve the KDS’s ticket “ping” sound.
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Section 4. Notes
Note 1 – iPad 10.2 vs Mini 5?: We do not recommend the Mini 5 (called simply “Mini” by Apple) for use as a fixed POS. Full-sized iPads offer a better experience. However, venues that offer tableside ordering might consider the Mini 5 for use by servers. Food trucks with limited counter space may also consider using the Mini 5 over a full-sized iPad. We do not recommend the Mini 2 or 3 for use with TouchBistro.
Note 2 – iPad Mini 3: The Mini 2 and Mini 3 have equal performance specs. The Mini 3 has an additional fingerprint identity sensor, which TouchBistro does not support./p>
Note 3 – Select the most powerful iPad: We recommend using your most powerful iPad as your Main Device. If you are using multiple iPads, begin building your restaurant on the newest or most powerful iPad in the array, because that iPad will become your initial Main Device.
Note 4 – If you’re using a larger iPad such as an iPad Pro alongside smaller iPads, we suggest begin building your floorplan on the smaller iPad to avoid in-app scrolling.
Section 5. iOS/iPadOS
Your iPads need to be running iOS11 or needs to be capable of being updated to iOS11. See Older iPads below regarding iPad models that cannot run iOS11. iPads running KDS need to be updated to iOS9.
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iOS
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Version TouchBistro Stopped Supporting the iOS
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6.x and earlier
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TouchBistro 5.2
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7.x
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TouchBistro 5.9
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9.x and earlier
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TouchBistro 7.2.6
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10.x
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TouchBistro 8.9.0
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1) iPad OS13
There are a few convenience features in TouchBistro that take advantage of technology in iPad OS13. If you are running iPads in iOS12 or older, you will not be able to take advantage of TouchBistro’s full feature set.
Section 6. Minimum Memory
TouchBistro strongly suggests you only use your iPads for service purposes. We do not recommend using your iPads to run other apps or stream music. Hence we do not suggest purchasing iPads with greater than the lowest available base memory.
Chapter 2. Older iPads
TouchBistro recommends always using the latest iPad sold by Apple.
We do not support:
- The original iPad
- iPad 2
- iPad Retina (3rd/4th Generation)
- Mini 1
If you are purchasing iPads (new or used), please follow the iPad hardware recommendations noted above. Although we support iPad Air 1/2 and iPad Mini 2, developing app technology may outgrow those iPads’ hardware specs/speed. We would not recommend launching a new venue and sourcing older iPads.
Section 1. KDS
KDS requires the iPad running the KDS to be running iOS 9.x or higher. The only generation of iPad that can’t be updated to 9.x is the original iPad model. If your KDS iPad is still running an iOS lower than 9.x, you will need to update your KDS iPad’s iOS before installing the KDS. If you have an older iPad in your venue (iPad 2 or better), we suggest using it as the iPad for your KDS. However, TouchBistro cannot guarantee future updates of the KDS will support older iPads. Hence we caution purposely sourcing older iPads for long term use with the KDS.
Chapter 3. TouchBistro Language Support
TouchBistro will display in English or Spanish automatically if your iPad’s default language is set for one of these languages.
Section 1. Best Practices
It’s advisable that your iPads and Mac Mini must be shut down every night to ensure optimal functioning. You should not run other apps (for example, music streaming services) on your iPads or Mac computers during service hours to also ensure the best possible experience and speed. TouchBistro support may require you to uninstall or suspend certain third-party apps before being able to render support.
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