So, apple would rather lose customers than fix the problems that came with upgrading to ios5. Actually "downgrading" to ios5!!! Prior to 5 I had zero complaints. Now I'm ready to use this POS for target practice! I've tried resetting, disabled apps that we're suggested, etc. and still can't enjoy using my iPad1. I guess the next thing to try is hijacking. if Apple is going to leave iPad 1's in the past why wouldn't they at least offer one more upgrade to revert back to what worked, or offer a means to reload iOS 4? With their smug attitude toward the "old" stuff, I will never buy another Apple anything.
Have you upgraded to iOS 5.1.1, or are you on an earlier version of iOS 5?
It sounds like you have an iPad 1 problem that needs addressing, but not by Apple upgrading to iOS 6.
I encountered slowness and lots of crashes when I upgraded my iPad 1 to iOS 5 initially. Things improved with iOS 5.1 and then again with iOS 5.1.1. Because online browsing has been restored to more or less what my iPad started out with new, I'm content to stick with iOS 5.1.1, rather than upgrade firmware further. I still experience more frequent crashes on iOS 5.1.1 than when my iPad 1 was new, because of RAM overloads (according to my diagnostics logs), but nowhere near as many as on iOS 5, which sucked.
If you're experiencing severe slowness while browsing online and have already upgraded to iOS 5.1.1, you should consider other types of troubleshooting, such as resetting your router/wifi settings. In your place, I would search existing threads for help, and if those don't prove useful, create a new thread and ask for ideas.
The slowness you're experiencing isn't widespread, or there would be lots of complaints, and probably coverage on tech blogs. As it is, most iPad 1 users are still enjoying them, from what I can tell from forums and tech blogs, though there are performance advances that might encourage some to upgrade to newer iPads.
I've had an iPad 1 3G since debut day and later added an iPad 2. I can see performance differences between the two related to RAM, but I'm still able to use and enjoy my iPad 1 daily, thanks to iOS 5.1.1.