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Is the Original iPad Mini Still Worth Buying?

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The original iPad mini is beginning to age, and that has many shoppers asking whether or not the older tablet is still worth buying, especially considering it’s the cheapest iPad available.

The first-generation iPad mini was already outdated when it first launched anyway, arriving with an A5 processor when Apple already had its A6 processor out and about in multiple devices by then, including the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, and the fourth-generation iPad, which included the A6X (a variant of the A6 chip).

Plus, it doesn’t include a Retina display, which made it even more outdated, as the fourth-generation iPad that launched beside it included a Retina display, as well as the iPad 3 that preceded it.

Nonetheless, the original iPad mini has deemed to be a decent tablet for users who don’t need a lot of features to come out of a tablet, thus saving a bit of cash when it came time to buying one. However, with the iPad mini 2 and  the iPad mini 3 now out on the market, the original iPad mini is looking less and less desirable, although the $249 price tag is fairly enticing.

Read: iPad Mini 2 vs iPad Mini: Which One Should You Buy?

If you’re thinking about buying the first-generation iPad mini, here’s what you should know before you make the purchase.

It’s the Cheapest iPad Apple Sells

If you’re looking for a low-cost iPad, the original iPad mini is the cheapest iPad that Apple sells, ringing in at only $249.

iPad-mini

A big misconception about the iPad is that it’s an expensive tablet and you’ll need to spend at least $500 to get one. That used to be true, but Apple has slowly crept its way into the low-cost tablet market, and now it only costs half that to get an iPad. You could probably even find a better deal on a used model for less than $200 if you look hard enough.

So if you’re looking for the cheapest iPad available, the first-generation iPad mini is the option to go with.

It’s Decent for Casual Users

There are many different types of iPad users, including users who pretty much do everything with their iPads. Then there are the users that simply use their iPad for light use, which would include web browsing, checking email, etc.

The original iPad mini is a decent tablet for these types of casual users, but take note that I only said “decent,” and not “great” or “good.”

iPad-mini-Retina

The iPad mini is aging quickly, which means many apps and games won’t run as good as they could on newer hardware, but the experience certainly isn’t abysmal. Many users say that the first-generation tablet works great for casual users, while others notice easily that it’s a tablet that’s on its last breath.

Using it for light web browsing, checking email, reading ebooks, etc. is a great use for the original iPad mini, and it can still handle many lightweight games with aplomb, but be warned that newer apps and more intensive games may not handle so well on the older tablet, simply because the hardware can’t run fast enough to keep up with the newer graphics.

Be Aware of the Future

While the original iPad mini may be a great purchase right now, that may not be the case as soon as a year from now.

iPad Air 2 iPad mini 3

There’s a term called “futureproofing” where you buy a new product with the hopes that you’ll use it for several years before you need to upgrade again. By buying a first-generation iPad mini, you’re not setting yourself up for futureproofing at all, considering that the tablet is close to being on its way out the door, and Apple could stop delivering software updates to the original iPad mini as soon as next year with the release of iOS 9.

Once that happens, you’re kind of screwed and are left with an old tablet that Apple wants to forget about.

With that said, if you want to futureproof, we’d suggest spending just $50 more for the iPad mini 2, which comes with much faster hardware and a Retina display. Plus, it’ll most likely be supported by Apple for several years before it becomes incredibly outdated.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Johnny

    12/29/2014 at 4:55 pm

    Yes it is true the original Ipad mini is getting old but It works good with IOS 8, and you can still get on apple’s online store, If we are lucky as the Ipad 2 users were, because they recieved four iOS updates, the original Ipad mini users could get the ios 9 but I think that it will be the last update for this tablet also it is more or less 2 years old and normally an apple device stops recieving updates when it is 4 years old by now let’s hope we are not going be left behind soon

  2. Paul C.

    01/03/2015 at 1:58 am

    Manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung would like buyers to update their tablets every two years as opposed to holding onto them for the long run.

    The companies will support products to varying degrees after upgrades hit the market, but, software and apps may not function as smoothly as they do in newer devices.

  3. Samir

    03/28/2016 at 2:00 pm

    Hello my iPad mini works just fine

  4. Samir

    03/28/2016 at 2:01 pm

    I have the first generation

  5. bernadette

    03/28/2016 at 8:24 pm

    I have an opportunity to buy a gen 1 almost never used or under $100….should I invest fo my daughter, 8 ? for videos and maybe minecraft and other games?

  6. Kaiden

    09/14/2016 at 2:31 pm

    Although it is great at videos,don’t expect too much from gaming.As the App Store evolves,more games will need to require a higher software for natural gameplay.I own an iPad mini myself and it does not fully allow me to have to best experience,it is still great in terms of use.Now that the Mini is fully outdated,you won’t receive iOS 10,the software needed to at least improve the apps.I would recommend this for its decent quality,but if you are using super popular games,like Pokémon GO,it will need new software for new apps.Im sorry if this looks like it is all the cons,but trust me,the iPad Mini is one of the most successful tablets in its time and it will be for you.

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