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A coworker offered me his iPad first generation (model MB294LL, WiFi, 64gb) at a good price (the same price range doesn't have a good brand new alternative), but I am worried that it might run out of service in the near future.

I have tested it and it has all the functionality I desire (mostly as a fancy Dropbox-based mobile library and iBook-based reader for use indoors, mostly at home)

My main worries would be:

  • Apple would take some measure to force obsolescency (like Amazon already did with Kindle in the past);
  • The apps I currently use will become unavailable and I won't get the same version again (since there are no "installers", so to say);

I suppose that eventually there will be battery-related issues or some other non-serviceable physical damage, but considering the best-case scenario, is there any possibility that the iPad generation 1 wouldn't keep its current functionality due to software support/availability issues?

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  • Take a careful look at the availability of an iBooks app that will run on your device, if that is important to you. The one in the app store at present probably will not.
    – Tom Gewecke
    Jan 31, 2014 at 19:14
  • Actually it did, but only after instaled via iTunes in the pc...
    – heltonbiker
    Jan 31, 2014 at 21:13

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Everyone is looking at this from the (entirely reasonable) POV of someone that wants to keep up with the latest IOS updates. Understandable as they often fix bugs and enhance the O/S greatly.

But from a strictly utilitarian point of view, the answer is, "as long as the hardware works."

I have an old SE/30 sitting in my office. I haven't turned it on in a long time but last time I did, it worked fine. So more than 20 years later that SE/30 works just fine.

"For how many years can I expect to use an iPad 1" depends COMPLETELY on how you plan on using it and what your needs will be 2 to 10 or 20 years down the road.

If you can download and use all the apps you need NOW without ever upgrading them or the O/S then you can use it till the hardware gives out. If all you need is a simple web browser, mail program, etc. The same applies.

If, however, you need to keep up with technology. If you need to have the latest and greatest apps and operating system if you need to be compatible with all the NEW stuff out there, perhaps an original iPad would not be a great investment. Save up your dollars and buy a newer one.

The wife and I bought an iPad 2 in May of last year for a specific purpose: POS for our small business (square) and streaming music plus some casual web browsing. there is no reason why it won't still be able to do that 2, 5 or even more years in the future as it doesn't NEED to have the latest and greatest to do the job it is currently doing.

If that is the case with you, buy the old iPad and be satisfied with what you have.

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The iPad 1 is now on iOS 5.1.1. That means it's now two major iOS versions behind. I think your worries are very valid. Some very popular applications (e.g. Spotify) are already no longer available for iOS 5.

Unless you can accept the loss within a year I would not buy it. If you think you can stomach the loss, it can be a nice toy for the kids maybe?

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