The change has compressed the iPad mini lineup to Retina-enable iPad mini 2 and iPad mini 3, both of which run Apple’s 64-bit A7 processor, with the iPad mini 3 offering Touch ID and a gold color option. In other words, Apple’s entire iPad lineup—both 7.9 and 9.7-inch variants—is now 64-bit, using either Apple’s A7 or A8X processors and offering and unified Wi-Fi + Cellular models.
Apple still supports the original iPad mini and the device is listed as compatible with the upcoming iOS 9 software update. While the device is no longer available to purchase new from the Apple Store, the refurbished section of the webstore continues to offer good-as-new iPad mini units, starting at $209 for the entry-level Wi-Fi-only model outfitted with sixteen gigabytes of storage.
If you can live with a non-retina display, a 32-bit chipset and don’t mind the low internal storage, you will be able to easily pick up the iPad mini for anywhere between ~$150-200 from Best Buy and other retailers who still have stock of the tablet.
Source: 9to5Mac
