@Steven UK
In case you updated using Wi-Fi, connect your iPad to iTunes (computer) and restore it. This should improve the performance of your device.
There was a software update two weeks ago (8.1.1). Restoring will also update to this software. You'll be able to restore from a backup after restoring, iTunes or iCloud, whichever you prefer.
After restoring or updating, reset your iPad: press and hold Home and Power button simultaneaously until the Apple logo appears. Let go of both, the iPad will power up on it's own.
This should remove minor glitches you'd experience otherwise.
I did update from itunes and restored from a back up, and completed all the help available online, and the iPad is still slow.
I actually work in IT, so I am familiar with such, and this iPad, especially Safari is SO, SO slow, that Puffin blows it out of the water for speed, but why should I have to use Puffin browser when Apple's own stock browser is failing to do the job?
I Bought an original iPad mini 2 years ago with ios6, never updated it, as all the apps I needed I had downloaded, and that was all I used.
The iPad worked absolutely perfectly for 2 years. I would often mention to family members that the iPad "just worked" and that I was perfectly happy with it and could not imagine using any other tablet; perfect size, loads instantly, slick, unique looking, just perfect. I also during the 2 years had multiple chances to try various android tablets that family members had, and would often compare it to my iPad mini, always content that the speed of the devices were nowhere near that if my iPad.
Obviously I would get the periodic alerts that there was a new update available on the IOS, but as the iPad worked perfect, I felt no need.
Anyway, 5 days ago whilst looking for some new apps I wanted, I was twice alerted that the apps only worked with IOS7+, and as IOS8.1 was just released I thought I would update, to get the apps, etc.
WHAT A MISTAKE I MADE UPDATING
Within hours I immediately regretted updating, with slow loading Safari (and yes, tried all the so-called 'fixes' to no avail), everything is just so sluggish (I have also tried formatting and resetting as new, still as slow, and buggy). I actually have an iPhone 5 which still has IOS6 on it, which no way on this green earth will I be updating it!!, but I have compared the speed of the iPhone to the updated iPad and the difference is staggering. Using my IOS6 iPhone is like an old trusted friend compared to the updated iPad.
I am so, so annoyed at updating, because I obviously cannot go back to IOS6, and I used to love this iPad, but now, I just do not enjoy using it anymore.
I also HATE the fact that just because I trusted Apple I now have an iPad that performs far worse than it did 5 days ago.
Before this update I was perfectly happy with Apple products, and could never have seen myself changing in the future should I ever be in need of a new device.
That view has now changed. I will be looking elsewhere in future. I am extremely disappointed in Apple, and their so-called 'professionalism'.
it seems now that we are just all being dictated to, or why else would Apple not allow paying customers to roll back operating systems to previous versions that worked perfectly. It makes no sense to alienate customers this way. This is MY device, not their's, so why am I being held to ransom.
What an absolute crazy situation this is..... My money will be spent elsewhere in future.