Simply put, they now have a lineup of 2 full size pads, and 2 mini pads. Each with a retina and non retina version. Pretty simple.
Makes sense display-wise to provide some lower pricing, but they could at least update the processor to be current.
I have an iPad 2 and I think it's nothing short of ancient. It has a hard time keeping up with my typing.
Agreed, the iOS 7 update really made my iPad 2 sluggish. It felt plenty zippy before. Engineered obsolescence?