Apple's iPad, launched on April 3, 2010, has endured ridicule and relentless competition for 16 years, yet it remains the best-selling tablet ever made. Despite a flood of Android alternatives, no single rival tablet has managed to sell enough units to truly compete with the iPad's market dominance. Its closest challenger, the Microsoft Surface, has failed to gain significant traction, highlighting the iPad's unique position.

The Surface's struggles, noted in AppleInsider, underscore the iPad's entrenched lead. This enduring success, even as iPad sales have declined, demonstrates its role as the industry benchmark.