I had an ipad2, but my wife got a free ipad mini, so she gave me that, and I gave my ipad2 to my 11 year old. and my 11 year old gave her hand me down ipad1 to my 5 year old. so everyone is happy.
however, I pretty much always leave my ipad mini in my dresser night stand and only use it if I'm in the bed. I don't even take it out my bedroom UNLESS I have to take a plane trip.
I agree, that using a laptop for internet is a lot easier.