An old iPad is surprisingly useful, even if it can't download updates

Big tech companies have a funny way of making completely functional devices feel obsolete long before they're actually useless. The idea is that they want you to move forward with an upgrade. Then there's the complication of finding an e-waste recycler to properly dispose of the device as electronics, especially those with lithium-ion batteries, shouldn't simply be tossed in the garbage can. In reality, an iPad doesn't stop being a perfectly usable tablet just because it stopped receiving software updates. Apple might attempt to dictate when it's time for you to upgrade, but that doesn't mean you should listen. Apple's forced obsolescence usually comes before any significant iPad battery degradation. Often, many apps will still run on outdated iOS software for quite a while before they completely move on.