Testing by Jeppesen has cleared the iPad 4 and mini for use up to 51,000ft
This is NOT 51,000 ft inside a pressurized airplane, this is
SUDDEN DECOMPRESSION from atmospheric pressures of 0 to 8000 ft (simulated cabin pressure) to 51,000ft in less then 1/2 a second!!
Any air inside the iPad's will be violently expelled when it suddenly has about 1/7 of the outside pressure on it, and suffer instant condensation inside and outside the device.
Finally the ingress of more humid air is forced in as the pressure returns to sea level.
Arguably this test is much more through and demanding then drop tests and dunk tests.
Apple quotes for its alt as:
More details on earlier tests (iPad 2), and a report of said test report.
This is NOT 51,000 ft inside a pressurized airplane, this is
SUDDEN DECOMPRESSION from atmospheric pressures of 0 to 8000 ft (simulated cabin pressure) to 51,000ft in less then 1/2 a second!!
Any air inside the iPad's will be violently expelled when it suddenly has about 1/7 of the outside pressure on it, and suffer instant condensation inside and outside the device.
Finally the ingress of more humid air is forced in as the pressure returns to sea level.
Arguably this test is much more through and demanding then drop tests and dunk tests.
Apple quotes for its alt as:
Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3000 m)
More details on earlier tests (iPad 2), and a report of said test report.