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I did notice that my new ipad seems to be topping out at 5mbps on my campus network while my iphone and macbook are able to pull 20mbps+. If I read the article right, it's something that effects only some iPads? So should I head over to an Apple store and ask for a replacement? Device seems perfect otherwise.
 
I guess I'll bring it in -- although I don't really like the idea of paying for new and winding up with a refurb.
You'll never know for sure, of course, but I think it's worth noting that many "refurbs" - especially the ones sold directly by Apple are in fact for all practical purposes "new" units.

Once a product box has been opened and the product is then returned by a consumer, it cannot be resold as "new" by law - even if it was never turned on and used. And so, e.g., gifted, but unwanted or unneeded iPads may be the route by which Apple gets many.

Also, the refurbishment certification process means that a refurb unit's actually had more hand inspection and testing than one on the factory line. And unless someone can tell me differently, I'm assuming Apple wouldn't sell a refurb (or offer one as a replacement unit) that was not cosmetically as well as functionally in "Apple pie order."

I know I've never specifically heard an Apple-sold refurb horror story. Does anybody here have one?

So, moving on and now just speculating, but it's well within the realm of possibility that if Apple ends up with units that do have tiny dings or somesuch imperfections they may off-load to them other re-sellers of used and "refurbed to their own standards" Apple goods as "seconds."

(PS: I'm not asserting that some sellers don't break that opened-box law. I've taken products home from retailers bought as new and on examination it's clear they've been re-wrapped. Best Buy comes to mind. But I feel reasonably sure Apple - to protect its rep if for no other reason, and because it can well afford to - plays by the "if it's been opened it's not new" rules.)

PPS: Count me also in the camp that never buys a brand new release of any complicated product, whether it's a car or a computer, i.e., I always wait a bit for any production line, early part runs and firmware/OS bugs to be worked out. And since I'm in a holding pattern just now, I might not mind waiting to save a Ben Frank until there are some 64GB LTE refurbs in the store. We'll see in a few weeks.
 
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Does this include iPhone 4S? Cause I have major wifi issues now but not with my computers. My MacBook or my roommates MacBook Air. So I don't understand, I also have searching... A lot for the AT&T network though I usually have fine signal but then it just drops and takes a reboot or 5 minutes to come back and sometimes it doesn't when it is rebooted. Not sure if that's AT&T or the phone but like I said I have wifi issues too. Meh.
 
Did you learn basic physics at school? :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage

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The new iPad does consume more power, and the outer aluminium case is used as a heat sink. It is only a rise in temperature of 3-4°C, yep people are complaining over nothing.

I'm actually familiar with this. The walls in my house have caging in them that block EMR, so the cellphones never work in here.

I haven't learned basic physics yet (at least not in that area). However, the Faraday cage is a bit different from Apple's design on the iPad. First of all, I highly doubt Apple engineers would put something that blocks EMR in the iPad. Secondly, the page talked about a mesh of conductive material blocking external radiation, which is not exactly what the iPad has. The shape of the metal matters a lot in antennae, of course, and I'm assuming the mesh acts as an antenna to convert EMR into electricity. The iPad probably does not have the right geometry to block the EMR inside of it from escaping.

Also, the reports were about 117˚F iPads, 10-13˚F higher than the iPad 2 (according to the first sources I found on Google). That's quite a difference.
 
I guess it's gonna be a judgement call for everyone then... my question is how will the retail stores handle this.
 
unfortunately they do.

No, they don't. Until several weeks (a couple months, even) after a product launch, all replacements are new units. There aren't enough returns/exchanges in the system to build up an inventory of refurbs.

Once refurbished units filter into the system, then they are used instead of new units.

Regardless of the name, refurbs have a new shell, battery, and whatever part caused the return originally is fixed. Don't act like these units are taken from one customer and handed to another with no in-between step. There isn't a person in this forum who could tell the difference between a brand new unit and a refurbished unit.
 
1. Metal around the iPad can interfere with signals - similar to the way the iPhone antenna was affected.

2. Not all iPads have problems with Wi-Fi, and that might be because they were assembled with incorrect connecting antenna wires, similar to the incorrect connections in the Mac Pro line several years ago.

3. My Wi-Fi only new iPad has no problems with reception. The signal strength drops one bar when I walk into a bedroom 40 feet away from my Airport Extreme.
 
"iPad Guide" has reported...

A newsletter I enjoy reading from time to time called " iPad guide " has reported on Apples official position in reference to wifi issues with some New Iad's. I don't expect ths to be news to most here.
Bring em in and get your replacement as long as you can make your case. Shouldn't be a huge problem these days. Chances are you'll gt a brown box refurb anyway. They must have pinned the glitch down because replacement devices are not going to help anyone with issues themselves. I remember my ipad2 replacement has about 50% less back light bleeding than the one I returned. Recently they refused to see if they could find a replacement for the replacement stating " it's within their levels ". I was not happy about it but it really is minimal and very unintrusive.
New iPad is working for me in Almost all of the locations ipad2 did but when it's weak it's just about impossible to use. I have my favorite locations to kick back and This device is not in agreement.
It's obvious a software fix won't be sent out . Makes me wonder if the battery in refferance to the antena is an issue. This batt is huge and powerful. No chance a lesser battery would be installed .That's doubtful to the point of foolishness but why don't Apple give a general description of what causes this.?
Anything I could learn about the mystery of wifi is helpful
 
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What's the matter with apple and WIFI?

My first iPad 1 had to be replaced because I couldn't connect with any network outside my house or an apple store; my first macbook (which is still the same one I currently own) had to be taken in the second month of use for the "airport card not installed" message popping up. If my screen was angled at a 60* angle, then the card would show during boot up, if the screen was opened all the way, the card would not show up as installed. (yeah, believe it). Is it the aluminum, the plastic, the chip? Or is the software?

After they fixed the problem, I went a year without any problems, but since I installed OS X Lion last year, I am constantly having to change network settings, making a new location, and renewing the settings - every single time to be able to use WIFI. I've tried every fix on the forums, If anybody has any suggestions, I'd be happy to hear it.:confused:...

To increase margin, they must cut back on QC.

2. Not all iPads have problems with Wi-Fi, and that might be because they were assembled with incorrect connecting antenna wires, similar to the incorrect connections in the Mac Pro line several years ago.

Sounds like apple has a serious QC oversight issue.
 
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