Consumer Reports Finds New iPad Gets Warm, Can't Charge Under Heavy Loads

[mrmcbee]

I noticed all of this today while using my iPad 3 over a WiFi (G) network while plugged in to an Apple AC adapter. I never had a single issue like this on my first generation iPad (did not own an iPad 2).

Streamed 30 minutes of video over HBOGo. My battery decreased 3%.

Streamed 90 minutes of audio through Tunein and occasional tweeting using echofon. My battery decreased 1%

This thing guzzles power, I hope it can be resolved with a firmware update. No hardware should lose battery while plugged in, performing basic functionality.

 

[Spinnetti]

Why are you so hostile (on both sides)?

I got my pad Friday then did a 6hr road drip.
> I noticed the ipad felt pretty hot compared to my iPad 1 which we were also using in the car (wife/kids) - "Issue"? No, not really, but a difference that I'd prefer wasn't there.
> I also noticed my iPad charger didn't charge in the car. Works on the ipad1, not on the 3. This I don't like, but if it slows the battery drain and keeps working for the typical drive duration, not a huge deal either.

Yes, Apple stuff isn't perfect. Don't defend it, and don't run to your local class action lawyer over it either. The more the fanboyz defend, the more the others attack. Everybody just chill. As a customer, feed back what you don't like to Apple - it will help them build better products. As haters, don't buy it or sell it. Nobody cares. Either way, people should be able to share things they don't like without being attacked over it. People just want to be validated, and taking that away just makes them more strident. At the end of the day, its just a toy and years from now, nobody will care one way or another.

 

[TheBronx]

I got my pad Friday then did a 6hr road drip.
> I noticed the ipad felt pretty hot compared to my iPad 1 which we were also using in the car (wife/kids) - "Issue"? No, not really, but a difference that I'd prefer wasn't there.
> I also noticed my iPad charger didn't charge in the car. Works on the ipad1, not on the 3. This I don't like, but if it slows the battery drain and keeps working for the typical drive duration, not a huge deal either.

Yes, Apple stuff isn't perfect. Don't defend it, and don't run to your local class action lawyer over it either. The more the fanboyz defend, the more the others attack. Everybody just chill. As a customer, feed back what you don't like to Apple - it will help them build better products. As haters, don't buy it or sell it. Nobody cares. Either way, people should be able to share things they don't like without being attacked over it. People just want to be validated, and taking that away just makes them more strident. At the end of the day, its just a toy and years from now, nobody will care one way or another.

Perfectly stated. If the heat is such an issue for you that you're being burned, return it and get another one! If the charging thing is an issue (which it very well should be) return it or wait for a fix.

People want to just attack Apple for not releasing a flawless product which is funny. But then again, I guess that just shows the quality of Apple products, since people expect something so ridiculous.

 

[kdarling]

Would you have Apple release a statement one hour after the CR report, stating the horrible failure of their product hehe.

Nope, never said that.

In fact, I had immediately praised them for publicly telling people with issues to contact customer service. Even though it said nothing of substance, it did acknowledge that they were listening.

For Apple, that was unusual already. Jobs always stonewalled or mocked. I have high hopes for Cook.

 

[ctdonath]

Yes - on non-PC devices. What's so difficult to understand?

How a content-creation device including a large screen, large local storage, and large input devices will be a "non-PC" device. I do a lot on my iPad, including coding and writing and video editing, but if I want to do anything of any serious scale & complexity the 10" 64GB 1GHz tablet pales in comparison to a 27" 10TB 3.2x4GZh multi-input desktop.

From that perspective, what's your dividing line between "PC" and "non-PC" devices?

 

[kromekat]

Looks like I'll be waiting to see how this pans out rather than my intended early purchase! :]

 

[TheBronx]

Nope, never said anything even close to that.

In fact, I had immediately praised them for publicly telling people with issues to contact customer service. Even though it said nothing of substance, it did acknowledge that they were listening.

For Apple, that was unusual already. Jobs always stonewalled or mocked.

I know you didn't. My point was it's business as usual. No company is just going to announce failure or admit mistakes without doing their own research. The reason we hear about apple is because apple is the most successful company in the world.

Show me a company that flat out said "there are flaws with our product" the minute a report came out. When/if you do you will see that the flaws go far beyond a little heat. They'll be the companies that do mass recalls of their products because people were getting injured, poisoned, maimed etc. No company just comes out and says "hope everyone can forgive us for this product, it was a fail" hehe Everyone is jumping on Apple as if they're not doing what every other company would do!

Keeping things in perspective is important. The heat issue is overblown, the charging thing isn't, but that will be acknowledged (and fixed) by Apple.

 

[Spinnetti]

Hmm. there's a trend where people can't seperate "Preferences" from "Defects"...

I don't like that the pad gets warm. I really don't like how freaking hot my iphone gets when plugged in with GPS going.. Is it a flaw? No. Just preferences. Companies need to pay attention to preferences, at least those that drive purchasing decisions, but have no obligation whatsoever to respond to anybody that says something is a defect if it meets the products advertising claims. They never advertised a particular temperature or charging performance, so there's really nothing to "fix" unless there is enough consumer demand to do so that it impacts sales.... gotta love the interwebs... so many shrill voices, so little reason......

 

[TheBronx]

Hmm. there's a trend where people can't seperate "Preferences" from "Defects"...

I don't like that the pad gets warm. I really don't like how freaking hot my iphone gets when plugged in with GPS going.. Is it a flaw? No. Just preferences. Companies need to pay attention to preferences, at least those that drive purchasing decisions, but have no obligation whatsoever to respond to anybody that says something is a defect if it meets the products advertising claims. They never advertised a particular temperature or charging performance, so there's really nothing to "fix" unless there is enough consumer demand to do so that it impacts sales.... gotta love the interwebs... so many shrill voices, so little reason......

Well the charging thing, I guess I can see why people would or could get upset about it. It was presented through a controlled, silly experiment from CR, but still if a device doesn't charge, I'm sure Apple will try their best to fix it.

The heat thing, yeah, it's just the chicken littles screaming the sky is falling hehe

 

[azurehi]

1. CR merely reports the results of their findings from their labs. My question is, why didn't Apple do the same or similar tests Before releasing the new iPad? Cult of Mac has received reports of problems of WiFi signal strength on the new iPad (http://www.cultofmac.com/155114/does-the-new-ipad-have-its-own-antennagate-affecting-wi-fi-performance/). Is this another Click ploy like CR is accused of using by some on this forum?

2. Will the heat issue bring more discomfort to kids than adults?

 

[msprygada]

Sigh.

Here we go again. Do we have to manufacture a "gate" every time Apple releases a product?

Sure, like "antennagate" where Apple says that nothing was wrong with the iPhone 4 antenna. But provided a free rubber bumper just to quiet the masses. Then when the iPhone 4S comes out it has a different antenna than the 4 to fix the problem? Is that the "gate" you are refering to? While I love my iPhone, iPad 2, and MacBook Air, Apple is expected to produce higher quality products and thus are held to a higher standard than other brands, and should as the ask a premium price for said products.

 

[TheBronx]

1. CR merely reports the results of their findings from their labs. My question is, why didn't Apple do the same or similar tests Before releasing the new iPad? Cult of Mac has received reports of problems of WiFi signal strength on the new iPad (http://www.cultofmac.com/155114/does-the-new-ipad-have-its-own-antennagate-affecting-wi-fi-performance/). Is this another Click ploy like CR is accused of using by some on this forum?

2. Will the heat issue bring more discomfort to kids than adults?

1. Apple will investigate it and release a statement and a fix if necessary (or possible).

2. Probably, still not that big a deal considering what has to be done to get the temperature that high. It's not running at 116 with normal use. The solution if your kids are getting burned? Tell them to put the iPad down after 5 continuous hours of use and get some sunshine.

 

[I8P'CS]

To be honest i can't see why people are complaining reason being is early adopters of new/redesigned/software/hardware should count on this happening, those that can wait would be better buying a few months after new products are launch some may even gain/have better experience with the last model.

Apple is so big most people want on launch day, while some smart people will wait and see what happens before purchasing. To me this isn't a big issue as MBP/iMac etc also get a little warm, but with the internet everything gets blown out of PROPORTION.

If you can wait then wait, if you want now then put up with it, everyone wanted "retina" display now the complain.

 

[jazz1]

The New iPad Heat Fix

O.K. It is a joke. I'm just a jealous iPad2 owner.

 

[TheBronx]

O.K. It is a joke. I'm just a jealous iPad2 owner.

hehe, excellent! now let's put heatgate to rest

 

[brdeveloper]

Sure, like "antennagate" where Apple says that nothing was wrong with the iPhone 4 antenna. But provided a free rubber bumper just to quiet the masses. Then when the iPhone 4S comes out it has a different antenna than the 4 to fix the problem? Is that the "gate" you are refering to? While I love my iPhone, iPad 2, and MacBook Air, Apple is expected to produce higher quality products and thus are held to a higher standard than other brands, and should as the ask a premium price for said products.

Yep. I expect state-of-the-art products from Apple. Otherwise, I'll buy HP, Lenovo, Dell, etc.

 

[kdarling]

1. Apple will investigate it and release a statement and a fix if necessary (or possible).

That's a wonderful thought, but Apple rarely does those in combination.

Their longterm historical behavior for previous problems is to delete posts on their help forum from upset people, stonewall the press, then eventually silently issue a fix.

Well, except in the case of batteries, where historically they have just stonewalled and waited for a lawsuit to force them to replace items.

2. Probably, still not that big a deal considering what has to be done to get the temperature that high. It's not running at 116 with normal use. The solution if your kids are getting burned? Tell them to put the iPad down after 5 continuous hours of use and get some sunshine.

Tell that to my two and four year old grandkids who fly ten hours to/from Hawaii, using an iPad I bought them as entertainment.

Heck, I hope there really isn't a problem, if airline pilots are going to be stuck with them plugged in and running all the time (probably with high backlighting during the day) in the cockpit.

 

[TheBronx]

That's a wonderful thought, but Apple rarely, if ever, does those in combination.

Their longterm historical behavior is to delete posts on their help forum from upset people, stonewall the press, then eventually silently issue a fix.

Well, except in the case of batteries, where historically they have just stonewalled and waited for a lawsuit to force them to replace items.

Again, just Apple? All companies deny deny deny, unless it's so egregious that they can't deny at which they'll make an apology and do a recall. Apple is in the news solely because they're the most successful company in the world. *Shrugs*

Tell that to my two and four year old grandkids who fly ten hours to/from Hawaii, using an iPad I bought them as entertainment.

Heck, I hope there really isn't a problem, if airlines pilots are going to be stuck with them plugged in (probably with high backlighting during the day) in the cockpit.

I was talking about the heat thing when I said the kids should get some sunshine. The charging thing, that's a problem. Definitely. I can't argue with that. The heat thing is not so much. I understand a 10 hr flight to Hawaii is a specific (and pretty unique) use case where the heat might become an issue, but have your grandkids take a 30 minute break hehe . If you use any electronic device for an extended period of time, and are taxing the GPU and CPU the entire time, it's going to get warm/hot. There's no device that's immune to that.

 

[thetoad30]

Perfectly stated. If the heat is such an issue for you that you're being burned, return it and get another one! If the charging thing is an issue (which it very well should be) return it or wait for a fix.

People want to just attack Apple for not releasing a flawless product which is funny. But then again, I guess that just shows the quality of Apple products, since people expect something so ridiculous.

You do realize that he was speaking directly towards your last statement, right?

You continue to wrap fanatic comments into your arguments and it invalidates your whole post.

 

[TheBronx]

You do realize that he was speaking directly towards your last statement, right?

You continue to wrap fanatic comments into your arguments and it invalidates your whole post.

Is my statement false? Where is this outcry from Consumer Reports about the Android phones that are constantly rebooting, the tablets that have wifi/gps/bluetooth issues, the androids that overheat and reboot?

People expect perfection from Apple because Apple provides quality products. It's a gift and a curse hehe

I would appreciate you stop the ad hominem attacks as well. There's nothing fanatical about what I'm saying.... you keep acting as if apple is doing something that no one else does. they're not! hehe

 

[thetoad30]

Again, just Apple? All companies deny deny deny, unless it's so egregious that they can't deny at which they'll make an apology and do a recall. Apple is in the news solely because they're the most successful company in the world. *Shrugs*

Again, another opinion. Most cash on hand? Yes. Most successful? Debatable and another opinion.

I was talking about the heat thing when I said the kids should get some sunshine. The charging thing, that's a problem. Definitely. I can't argue with that. The heat thing is not so much. I understand a 10 hr flight to Hawaii is a specific (and pretty unique) use case where the heat might become an issue, but have your grandkids take a 30 minute break hehe . If you use any electronic device for an extended period of time, and are taxing the GPU and CPU the entire time, it's going to get warm/hot. There's no device that's immune to that.

And what are you expecting when they start to use these things in the classroom? Or how about in doctors' offices viewing medical information? You know, the exact thing that this iPad was marketed for? You continue to say it's a non-issue or overblown. The fact of the matter is that it should not be getting that hot. Ever.

When Nvidia and AMD/ATI had chipsets that were getting hot and burning up, most people agreed that scenario was a limited issue. But the fact of the matter is that it still shouldn't be happening. Period.

It's pretty obvious you believe in the Apple cult with your posts. So I ask again, if you can't be objective about this, remove yourself from the conversation instead of having every post saying somewhere that Apple is so "7334".

 

[TheBronx]

Again, another opinion. Most cash on hand? Yes. Most successful? Debatable and another opinion.



And what are you expecting when they start to use these things in the classroom? Or how about in doctors' offices viewing medical information? You know, the exact thing that this iPad was marketed for? You continue to say it's a non-issue or overblown. The fact of the matter is that it should not be getting that hot. Ever.

When Nvidia and AMD/ATI had chipsets that were getting hot and burning up, most people agreed that scenario was a limited issue. But the fact of the matter is that it still shouldn't be happening. Period.

It's pretty obvious you believe in the Apple cult with your posts. So I ask again, if you can't be objective about this, remove yourself from the conversation instead of having every post saying somewhere that Apple is so "7334".

I'm just going to step away from this discussion hehe. There is no need to insult me and say I'm in a cult and all these other things. If you can't have an adult discussion, let's not have one at all!

 

[Navdakilla]

Haven't felt the heat. Love the new ipad

 

[blow45]

Hmm. there's a trend where people can't seperate "Preferences" from "Defects"...

I don't like that the pad gets warm. I really don't like how freaking hot my iphone gets when plugged in with GPS going.. Is it a flaw? No. Just preferences. Companies need to pay attention to preferences, at least those that drive purchasing decisions, but have no obligation whatsoever to respond to anybody that says something is a defect if it meets the products advertising claims. They never advertised a particular temperature or charging performance, so there's really nothing to "fix" unless there is enough consumer demand to do so that it impacts sales.... gotta love the interwebs... so many shrill voices, so little reason......

What do you mean advertised charging performance? Jesus the amount of bs you read in these forums. Not charging is not "charging performance", not performing charging at all. Should they have advertised, the new ipad, and it also charges when plugged in? Probably they should have.

 

[thetoad30]

Is my statement false? Where is this outcry from Consumer Reports about the Android phones that are constantly rebooting, the tablets that have wifi/gps/bluetooth issues, the androids that overheat and reboot?

Do they get to a temperature of 116 degrees? Do they have the potential to burn the people using the devices? How about the heat causing a battery to fail and burn up? If so, then yes, there needs to be some voices heard. Don't cover it up just because it's "overblown", a "non-issue", or because you need to "take a break".

People expect perfection from Apple because Apple provides quality products. It's a gift and a curse hehe

Wrong. People expect Apple to follow through with their words and marketing. If you MARKET a product to be perfect, and you sell it at a like price, then yes, I expect perfect. Can I handle a $200 tablet rebooting every now and then or having some bugs? Yes. I spent $200 on it.

Do I expect my minimum $500 tablet to overheat and not charge when in use? Not on your life. I SPENT the $500 extra to get what is perceived and marketed to be the best product, as you stated as well. Then it better perform as such.

Apple only shoots themselves in the foot on this one.

I would appreciate you stop the ad hominem attacks as well. There's nothing fanatical about what I'm saying.... you keep acting as if apple is doing something that no one else does. they're not! hehe

Really? Then what's this:

People expect perfection from Apple because Apple provides quality products. It's a gift and a curse hehe

You're so hell-bent on Apple providing quality products when there is proof in your face that Apple is making things with less quality. Let me put it this way:

Ford used to be the only auto maker in the world, and their products changed the world. Much like the iPhone did.

That doesn't mean Ford made quality products. It meant that they were the only one's doing it.

Eventually others will catch on. Amazon's Kindle Fire is a huge step in the right direction, and eventually, if Apple keeps treating the mass consumers this way, they will go right back to where they were in the 90s. A has-been company that continues to tell their users that everything is okay and to not look behind the curtain.

----------

Hmm. there's a trend where people can't seperate "Preferences" from "Defects"...

I don't like that the pad gets warm. I really don't like how freaking hot my iphone gets when plugged in with GPS going.. Is it a flaw? No. Just preferences. Companies need to pay attention to preferences, at least those that drive purchasing decisions, but have no obligation whatsoever to respond to anybody that says something is a defect if it meets the products advertising claims. They never advertised a particular temperature or charging performance, so there's really nothing to "fix" unless there is enough consumer demand to do so that it impacts sales.... gotta love the interwebs... so many shrill voices, so little reason......

Really? So the fact that Toyota's don't stop when the brake is pressed is okay? After all, they never advertised that the brakes would stop the car. Nor did they say how soon.

How about batteries in the MBP and iPhones that start on fire? Apple never said that the device wouldn't start on fire... so that's okay too?

Seriously, we're having this conversation?

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I'm just going to step away from this discussion hehe. There is no need to insult me and say I'm in a cult and all these other things. If you can't have an adult discussion, let's not have one at all!

I personally feel that you might still be in your youth, and am hoping that with more experience that age brings, comes a greater understanding of having an objective viewpoint.

When that day comes, we can then finally have, as you put it, an adult conversation.

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What do you mean advertised charging performance? Jesus the amount of bs you read in these forums. Not charging is not "charging performance", not performing charging at all. Should they have advertised, the new ipad, and it also charges when plugged in? Probably they should have.

And you got downvotes for this... I can't believe that not charging is all of a sudden wrapped into "charging performance" as well... the amount of kool-aid drinking in these forums is stunning...

----------

I did, I pointed out the flaw you have in your argument that the heat generated by the iPad is directly comparable to flowing hot water.

And can you tell me how temperature magically differs in different mediums? If you can, I apparently missed out big time on that physics announcement.

Next you're going to tell me that as we know it the speed of light is no longer the speed limit of the universe.