I've been thinking of getting one but I've been put off by all the comments about magnets being bad for devices.
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All iPads Are magnetic smart covers bad for the iPad?
- Thread starter ZuneMan?
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I think magnets would be bad if there were hard drives in the devices like there used to be. Since they use solid state/flash now, it shouldn't be a concern.
But they probably read it on the Internet and everything on the Internet is true, right?
If a device uses a traditional spinning disk then magnets can kill the disk. The iPod classic is an example of a device that if you take two magnets and put them on either side while it is in operation, you can pretty much bet that it is toast.
The solid state memory in other devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch/nano) is not subject to magnetic damage. The bits in solid state memory are manipulated with electricity, not magnetism, so running a magnet across them has no negative effects.
The only negative impact an unshielded might have on an iPad would be a possible reduction of signal (BT, wifi, cell data), but I'm not sure even that is a concern...
Basically, if you want to get a big fat magnet and stick your iPad to the fridge - Rock on. You have nothing to worry about with the case
The solid state memory in other devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch/nano) is not subject to magnetic damage. The bits in solid state memory are manipulated with electricity, not magnetism, so running a magnet across them has no negative effects.
The only negative impact an unshielded might have on an iPad would be a possible reduction of signal (BT, wifi, cell data), but I'm not sure even that is a concern...
Basically, if you want to get a big fat magnet and stick your iPad to the fridge - Rock on. You have nothing to worry about with the case
Look it up on iFixit, he dissects a Smart Cover to see how it works. The iPad has magnets built into it for just this exact purpose.
Magnets are only really issue when it comes to spinning HDD drives, because it can and will knock the needle or platter out of alignment which is obviously bad. I don't believe SSD's are effected at all, which is what is technically in the iPad.
Magnets are only really issue when it comes to spinning HDD drives, because it can and will knock the needle or platter out of alignment which is obviously bad. I don't believe SSD's are effected at all, which is what is technically in the iPad.
That is all kinds of wrong...
The reason magnets are bad for spinning hard disks is that data is recorded magnetically on the platters and a strong enough magnetic field can erase the data and/or "flip bits"
To actually pull the heads or platters out of alignment would take a magnet on the order of the one used in Breaking Bad to erase Walt's computers.
BTW: Apple uses magnets in the lids and power connector of their macbook pros, so realistically the danger is low
The reason magnets are bad for spinning hard disks is that data is recorded magnetically on the platters and a strong enough magnetic field can erase the data and/or "flip bits"
To actually pull the heads or platters out of alignment would take a magnet on the order of the one used in Breaking Bad to erase Walt's computers.
BTW: Apple uses magnets in the lids and power connector of their macbook pros, so realistically the danger is low
Just for the record, these are what killed my friend's iPod video a few years back. I don't know if a 3.5"/2.5" disk would be affected so easily, but I would wager that if the disk is in use it would be toast.
http://www.paramountzone.com/magnetic-buzz-balls.htm
