The iPad 3 won't get iOS 8 because upon its release it was under powered--that's why the iPad 4 came out so soon after. The decision to upgrade a device is based upon whether the hardware can provide a good experience and I'm afraid the iPad 3 stutters even on iOS 6. I'm an iPad 3 owner btw.
It will definitely get iOS 7 though so its good for another year.
Underpowered? It is much more powerful then the mini and you think they won't put ios8 on that?
When the iPad 4 came out every review said it was faster in tests but real world applications, the speed difference was barely noticed.
One of the reasons I skipped the latest iPad.
I will probably upgrade to the next one but saying the 3 is so much weaker then the 4 is silly.