Which iPad should you buy? This is what I think. (iPad 1, 2, 3, 4 and Mini 1)

If you are considering buying an iPad that has iOS 6 or older, then there are 5 options. Here I compare them and show what I think.

1. The iPad 1st gen

The 1st gen iPad is a great decision for those who just want the basics. It has no camera, no Retina display, and     goes  from iPhone OS 3.2 up to iOS 5.1.1. It is probably best to keep it up to date on iOS 5.1.1 because you can still theme it like iPad OS 3.2 on iOS 5 and iOS 5 runs fine on it and has all those new features. It has an A4 chip. I rate it a 4/5.

2. The iPad 2

The iPad 2 is also a good decision for those who just want the basics but also want a camera. This iPad also does not have a Retina display but you can easily downgrade all iPad 2 models except the iPad 2,4 to iOS 4, iOS 6, iOS 8, or keep it up-to-date with iOS 9. For iOS 4 you downgrade to a patched iOS 6, however, I don't really know the method, so don't ask me how. The OTA (over the air) software update for iOS 6.1.3, iOS 8.4.1, and iOS 9.3.6 is signed for iPad 2 models (except 2,4). The IPSW for 9.3.5 and 9.3.6 is signed for every iPad 2 model. It runs iOS 4.3.3 to iOS 9.3.6 (how amazing!). It has an A5 chip. I rate it a 4/5.

3. The iPad 3

This is probably my favorite option even though it sadly can only be downgraded to iOS 8.4.1 and only run iOS 5/6 with CoolBooter. It looks like an iPad 2, but it is way better than an iPad 2; it has a Retina display, and is much faster. This was actually the first iPad I ever used and I still have my old iPad 3 dualbooting iOS 8.4.1 and iOS 6.1.3. It runs iOS 6.0-9.3.6. It has an A5 chip that is newer than that of an iPad 2's. I rate it a 5/5!

4. The iPad 4

The only difference I see between an iPad 4 and an iPad 3 is that the iPad 4 has a better camera, an A6 chip, and it can go up to iOS 10.3.4. I rate it a 4/5 because I like 30 pin better.

5. The iPad mini

This is an iPad which lives up to its name. It was released alongside the iPad 4 but has an iPad 3 camera, an A5 chip, and no Retina display. What!? How weird. It is small but the iPad mini 2 has a Retina display! It is also very flexable and vulnerable for cracks on the screen because of the flex it has even on a flat surface. 4/5.