What's the oldest iPad that can take advantage of iOS 8.1 & OS X 10.10 improvements?

[slipper]

Planning to buy a used iPad. Two questions: 1) What's the oldest iPad that can take advantage of iOS 8.1 & OS X 10.10 improvements? 2) And what functionality would i lose if i go with an iPad too old? I noticed iPad 3rd gen's are pretty cheap on CL but iPad 4th gens are still pricey and iPad Air's are still way too close to retail store prices. Wanted to make a more informed decision on what's the best value before i buy.

Thanks!

 

[Night Spring]

Exactly which features of iOS 8 / OS X are you looking to use? For instance, I think iPad 2 can run iOS 8, but it doesn't do handoff. I'm pretty sure last year's Air and Retina mini do handle almost every handoff / continuity features. Not sure about iPads 3, 4 or original mini. Hopefully somebody else has more info.

 

[Gav2k]

Planning to buy a used iPad. Two questions: 1) What's the oldest iPad that can take advantage of iOS 8.1 & OS X 10.10 improvements? 2) And what functionality would i lose if i go with an iPad too old? I noticed iPad 3rd gen's are pretty cheap on CL but iPad 4th gens are still pricey and iPad Air's are still way too close to retail store prices. Wanted to make a more informed decision on what's the best value before i buy.

Thanks!

Continuity features are available on iPhone 5 or later, iPad (4th generation), iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad mini with Retina display and iPod touch (5th generation).