Still rockin' the iPad 2...

[bufffilm]

The original iPad 2...not the Air 2.

W/Puffin browser (retooled to single window now w/multiple tabs) this thing is speedy. I just fired up Chase and Peet's Coffee without a hitch and shockingly fast. (I don't use the iPad browser much anymore preferring my iPhone for that.)

I will have to time it against my bro-in-law ipad2 on ios9 the next time he's over...but my 7.1.2 is running *sweet*.

True...many apps now need either iOS 8 or 9 to install now, which precludes them from my iPad, but the basics - FT, Internet, ebooks, comics, movies via VLC, music (Pandora/Spotify/TuneIn), etc - it is still going strong.

Had I gotten the 64gb instead of the 32gb, there's a very good chance I would not be planning to buy the Pro 12.9 v2 once it drops (and goes on sale).

I read a recent post where someone has an Air2 and he's keeping it on 9.3.5 forever...he is smart. Remember folks...upgrade your iOS judiciously.

 

[gobikerider]

This is pretty cool. I don't think it would be that terrible to even put 9 on it. It slower sure but I feel like people over exaggerate the actual speed of it. Your using a 5 year old device, it's going to take alittle extra seconds to load things. As for the person keeping 9.3.5 on the Air 2, I was too until it was shown the Air 2 is actually smoother, and more responsive with 10 with no negative effects on load times for things. I will definitely hop onto 10 before iOS 11 drops. Rockin iOS 9 rn

 

[sjleworthy]

mine's sitting here pretty much redundant, purely because why should i use it when i have a Pro? but even so, i might leave it in the car, as it's a GPS model, which makes a fantastic sat nav.

 

[bufffilm]

mine's sitting here pretty much redundant, purely because why should i use it when i have a Pro? but even so, i might leave it in the car, as it's a GPS model, which makes a fantastic sat nav.

When I do get around to the Pro, I haven't decided what will happen to this iPad.

I could use it exclusively as an ereader in bed, or stream Pandora or something else in the background non-stop.

 

[sjleworthy]

i too have debated what to do with mine. i dont find it ultimately too slow these days, but the www is excruciatingly horrible in particular. so what to use it for? maybe an ereader in bed. good idea.
it's a bit big for an X-marks-the-spot when im driving to be honest, but still works wonders in this respect.

 

[bufffilm]

Fortunately, I had loaded Dropbox on it back then (dunno what iOS it needs now to install), so it makes it somewhat easy to transfer things off.

It's also jail-broken so I have it tweaked with my favorites...here's a screenshot or two.

The only thing I never loaded was an app like Hangouts to allow non-Apple users to video conference me. I do have Skype on it, but I'm told not many use that anymore.

Edit: although the current version of Hangouts needs ios8+, it did allow me to load the last version supported on 7.x...nice! Also loaded an older Google maps...I'm happy. And kudos to Google for allowing that.

Next time my old boss wants to video me, we can try Hangouts now.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Had I not upgraded from 7.1.2 I would also be using my iPad 2 way more. But with iOS9, it is awful to use, and I will likely upgrade when I get a good offer on an Air 2 or better some time in the future.

 

[joeblow7777]

The iPad 2, even running iOS 9, is still usable for basic tasks. The high school I teach at still uses them.

 

[gobikerider]

The iPad 2, even running iOS 9, is still usable for basic tasks. The high school I teach at still uses them.

Exactly, I see no reason to belief they are too slow for basic web browsing and running the Google Doc apps. Then again I'm over here spoiled using a Air 2 for the same basic tasks.

 

[ssledoux]

My daughter and her husband still have their iPad 2, though I'm not sure how much use it gets anymore. I'm sure it's fine for doing a little internet surfing for sure, and I doubt they need it for much else anyway.

 

[QCassidy352]

Had mine 3.5 years and it ran iOS 6 until the day I sold it (8 was available at the time). Might still be running 6 somewhere. My experience with that iPad was definitely eye-opening as far as not reflexively upgrading every time a new iOS comes out.

 

[lexvo]

My wife still uses her iPad 2 almost daily. It looks a bit slower on iOS 9, but for basic things like e-mail and surfing it is quite OK.

 

[rui no onna]

My wife still uses her iPad 2 almost daily. It looks a bit slower on iOS 9, but for basic things like e-mail and surfing it is quite OK.

Am I the only one who finds web surfing atrocious on older iPads? I actually find apps tend to be better optimized for older models than websites (*cough* Tumblr *cough*).

 

[gobikerider]

Am I the only one who finds web surfing atrocious on older iPads? I actually find apps tend to be better optimized for older models than websites (*cough* Tumblr *cough*).

Web browsing will definitely be slower on older iPads because they simply don't have the horsepower for the latest safari standards and the mountains of ads on websites do not do it any favors either.

 

[12vElectronics]

I'm still rocking a First Gen iPad Mini. The one without retina and Touch Id. iOS7

 

[gobikerider]

I'm still rocking a First Gen iPad Mini. The one without retina and Touch Id. iOS7

iOS 9 is better....Just saying. No but if iOS 7 supports all your apps that's great it probably still flies on the mini

 

[12vElectronics]

iOS 9 is better....Just saying. No but if iOS 7 supports all your apps that's great it probably still flies on the mini

Some of my Apps don't work on my Mini with iOS7. I primarily use it for web surfing though so I'm fine for now..

 

[zachlegomaniac]

I'm still rocking a First Gen iPad Mini. The one without retina and Touch Id. iOS7

I made the terrible decision to move to iOS8 on my first gen mini. Definitely going to be more cautious when updating older idevices for now on. I'm looking forward to March!

 

[12vElectronics]

I made the terrible decision to move to iOS8 on my first gen mini. Definitely going to be more cautious when updating older idevices for now on. I'm looking forward to March!

That's why I haven't updated mine past iOS7. I just don't want it to become unusable..

 

[gobikerider]

I made the terrible decision to move to iOS8 on my first gen mini. Definitely going to be more cautious when updating older idevices for now on. I'm looking forward to March!

Have you tried iOS 9 it's a lot better than 8

 

[rui no onna]

Have you tried iOS 9 it's a lot better than 8

From feedback I've read, still not good for devices with just 512MB RAM. That said, I do agree. I find iOS 9 to be a lot better than iOS 8 (tested on iPad 3, 4 and Air).

 

[bufffilm]

I'm still rocking a First Gen iPad Mini. The one without retina and Touch Id. iOS7

My younger sis has a 1st gen Mini1 as well. I think it is on ios9 according to my bro-in-law the last time we spoke.

I really must get to the bottom of this "later iOS versions have drastically slowed/crippled my device" thing.

Some posters have said it has crippled theirs and others have posted a little-to-medium speed decrease but still mostly usable to some extent. Safari was the most impacted...for obvious reasons.

My older sis has a iPad 3 on iOS 8.x...She definitely has said it is way slower.

 

[gobikerider]

My younger sis has a 1st gen Mini1 as well. I think it is on ios9 according to my bro-in-law the last time we spoke.

I really must get to the bottom of this "later iOS versions have drastically slower/crippled my device" thing.

Some posters have said it has crippled theirs and others have posted a little-to-medium speed decrease but still most usable to some extent. Safari was the most impacted...for obvious reasons.

That's what I try to say. Yes it'll get alittle slower but being crippled vs being slower is a big difference. If it bugs them that much then those people should upgrade every 3 years instead of 5. My Air 2 is going on 2 years and it's still perfect. I'm keeping it on iOS 9 until 10 is finalized next fall right before 11 comes out. So it should be perfect for 3 years because I've already seen other ones running it smoother than 9 even.

 

[bufffilm]

That's what I try to say. Yes it'll get alittle slower but being crippled vs being slower is a big difference. If it bugs them that much then those people should upgrade every 3 years instead of 5. My Air 2 is going on 2 years and it's still perfect. I'm keeping it on iOS 9 until 10 is finalized next fall right before 11 comes out. So it should be perfect for 3 years because I've already seen other ones running it smoother than 9 even.

To say they should buy a new device after 3 years is kinda crazy though. Because I wouldn't.

iPads should last 4+ years easily esp. if the battery has been decently cared for. Even if it has been used hard, the battery should be at 50-60% of capacity.

 

[ssledoux]

So when you don't update the software, does the little number keep showing that you have software updates? And does the iPad prompt you to do it constantly?