The hardware the original ipad had in it would be more of a problem than the software but unless you're obsessive about apps it still works as a device for reading books, surfing the net, watching videos, etc. I suspect the main reason the 1st iPad has a shorter support lifespan was because the hardware was a bit poor but even with that in mind and even if you are totally into apps the idea of having the buy every version of the iPad is entirely unnecessary. It received OS updates for just over 2 years and would have had app support at least until the 2013 which means you could have went from the 1st iPad to a 4th gen one (released end of 2012) and been fully supported which the exception of course where apps would require more power or memory.