Early iPad User Complaints: Weak Wi-Fi, Charging Issues

[flanamac]

marketing ploy!

I can tell you that this is a marketing ploy...

1) Promote and build interest in the iPad, but don't sell the fully functional, 3G model yet, but put out there the wifi model to wet their whistle.

2) As people see the limitation of the wifi model, they will want to sell their wifi model and get the 3G model, so as to have access to networks all the time.

3) So Apple gets two sales for the marketing for one.

4) Genius! Gotta hand it to Mr. Jobs for pulling it over on all that had to have this device the very second it hit the market so you can tell and show off your stuff to your friends.

This is so obvious...don't be naive.

This is just like the companies who put software out there that is really still in Beta, but they market it like all new sliced bread! The best thing to do is wait, buy things used, use a friends (capitalize on their stupid decisions).

This is why I am waiting a couple years for 500GB SSD drives with 500 MB/write and read speeds (and it will happen) for $200 a piece.

 

[Mr. Gates]

No WiFi or charging issues here. I use MacBook Pro 17". Battery Life is fantastic. Played with it a lot since Saturday and will do my first recharge today. I charged it first time through USB.

Oh well good for you. I guess we all must be imagining these problems.

Perhaps we should take apples advice and " make sure the router is plugged in or turned on "

Thanks for clearing this up and good for you sport

 

[djrobsd]

No idea why either of the major issues wouldn't have shown up in any kind of extensive testing, unless they were just ignored.

They can't do extensive "field" testing because Steve Jobs would never want one of his precious baby ipads to be seen in "The wild" so to speak, god forbid someone get a photo of the ipad before it actually comes out to the public.

So this is how the consumer now gets to suffer with a substandard product that has not been fully tested in the field. The iPad has only been tested under controlled conditions inside Apple's sealed, precious little environment, so of course there are going to be issues when real people actually start using it rather then just in a testing laboratory.

 

[shervieux]

The wifi issues are really disconcerting. Many complaints are people using their iPads at home. I would think that home routers are better. Unfortunately, once people start using their iPads when they're out and about, the issue may be worse.

Personally, I am waiting for the 3G version. However, wifi is much faster. Let's hope this only needs a software fix.

Problem with home routers is many people use the router that their DSL / Cable company supply (ie router with built in ADSL). Some of those are not the best quality, depending on company and brand the ISP provider chose to use.

I have even seen home routers with an internal antenna and ask why? router position in the home also means a lot. my router is on my desk (as I have my macbook and my work dell hard wired to it). My wife who is clear across our home (70 ft a way) using wifi on her mini, it can lose connection if I close my office door or sit directly in front of the router (where I have the router I cannot put the antenna fully up).

I need to get some longer cables and move my router, as I found that if I move it closer to the office door (or I am not sitting in front of it) and leave my office door open; she does not lose signal.

Also routers with two antennas or antennas you can extend like rabbit ears also work better.

Also, be aware of where your router is and the type of material in your home. My church building has cement cinder block walls (as most older churches), so wi fi is out of the question. also older homes that used more wood and plaster in the walls tend to cut back on the signal as well.

This is a digital signal which uses line of site. Much like how my over-the-air TV stations get better picture, but tend to lose signal if something gets in the way. Analog signal just bounces off everything, so it is not an issue.

 

[JGowan]

I can understand that different power requirements might limit the way I charge a 6 oz. device compared to something that's 1.5 pounds. As has been stated, do we hook up our laptops to our computers or do we use the SUPPLIED power adapter. Quit yer bitching and just plug it in like you're suppose to.

I wonder how many people have returned their device because of these "problems" -- that's the real telling nature of the seriousness of the complainers. If it was more than just a slight complaint, you'd see returns and people would wait for Rev. B. But, it sounds like people are holding on despite the complaining. Hmmm...

---

About wi-fi and the aluminum blocking signal for some,... makes me even gladder that I pre-ordered the 3G version. The black plastic on the back will allow the signal to be 100%. Yes! Initially, I was unhappy because I felt, aesthetically, the wi-fi-only model looked superior. Oh well. Rather a stronger signal than to be hipper looking.

---

All those Rev. A haters... why hate? Just sit back, relax and wait for Rev. B. I waited for The 2nd wave of the first iPhone and got 16GB. I paid full-price (unfortunately, but I didn't get stuck with a 4GB or an 8GB model). I didn't jump on the forums, telling everyone how stupid they were for getting their iPhones. I was happy that Apple was making a dent toward their 1% goal and I knew I could wait. This time, I wasn't so lucky Apple got me for $829!

 

[francisq]

No wifi issues for me. My Wifi connection works great.

 

[diamond.g]

Well yes, but everyone is used to charging their iPods and iPhones through the computer USB port and that's what they wanted to do. Of course, iPad is a much larger device and requires more power. Not exactly Apple's fault that the standard USB port delivers around 5W. They did include a 10W charger for a purpose.

Actually USB is only spec'ed to deliver around 2.5 Watts. It appears that Apples computers are able to send more power, but it is definitely not within USB spec.

This may be the same method they were using to power the external superdrive that the MBA has.

 

[esmode]

Who is "EVERYONE" anyway? I charge my iPhone with the wall adapter every night when I'm not home, or with my iPhone clock radio when I am at home. I only hook it up to the computer when I want to sync media files.

People who connect it to the computer to charge are wasting energy, keeping a computer powered up simply to then syphon off some power to charge your phone?

Not if their computer is running for other reasons while they charge it. Many people charge while they work on their computer and unplug it when it is fully charged. That method might actually waste the least amount of energy. You are leaving it charging over night and using a clock radio that may be plugged in even when you aren't charging your device. You are wasting power as well.

Overall I don't think the issue is a big deal. It's just not explained very well to novice users.

 

[WilliamLondon]

Always wait for 2nd gen...

I'm *way* too impatient to wait for 2nd gen, or rev B even of product. I look around my house and every single product I own was purchased the day it was released (pretty much). How sad am I?!

On the other hand I've had the opportunity to get the latest/newest product immediately and enjoy it the entire time others wait for rev B. I realise sometimes rev B has a few updated bits (which I envy hugely!), but I'm happiest having the first version of the product to enjoy, enjoy and enjoy.

Your attitude is one I envy, but what I'd really prefer is my attitude with so much money that I can buy v1 and every revision after!

 

[Ries]

Problem with home routers is many people use the router that their DSL / Cable company supply (ie router with built in ADSL). Some of those are not the best quality, depending on company and brand the ISP provider chose to use.

I have even seen home routers with an internal antenna and ask why? router position in the home also means a lot. my router is on my desk (as I have my macbook and my work dell hard wired to it). My wife who is clear across our home (70 ft a way) using wifi on her mini, it can lose connection if I close my office door or sit directly in front of the router (where I have the router I cannot put the antenna fully up).

I need to get some longer cables and move my router, as I found that if I move it closer to the office door (or I am not sitting in front of it) and leave my office door open; she does not lose signal.

Also routers with two antennas or antennas you can extend like rabbit ears also work better.

Also, be aware of where your router is and the type of material in your home. My church building has cement cinder block walls (as most older churches), so wi fi is out of the question. also older homes that used more wood and plaster in the walls tend to cut back on the signal as well.

This is a digital signal which uses line of site. Much like how my over-the-air TV stations get better picture, but tend to lose signal if something gets in the way. Analog signal just bounces off everything, so it is not an issue.

What? I get around 90mbit/s transfer speed through two brickwalls, buy a n-wireless router, as they have better reception / range spec'ed.

 

[Craiglorocks]

I fully agree - try the thing out for a few days. I already think its awesome, and everyone (even the skeptics / apple haters) who have played with mine for 10 minutes are immediately sold.

You are exactly like me. I have been taking mine with me all over. Everytime someone gives me the " it's just a big Ipod Touch," I just simply let them play on it for 10-15 minutes. Then they start asking where they can get one. Once you actually use one you begin to fall in love with it.

Flawless experience so far.

 

[djrobsd]

Haven't seen any wi-fi problems with mine, although I can say it does pick up FEWER wireless routers around me then my iPhone does. After leaving it on the wireless settings screen where it scans routers, it eventually finds all the same ones my iphone does, but not initially like the iphone.

Charging, I have confirmed only works on my latest rev Macbook Pro 13.3 (purchased in December of last year), when the ipad is done syncing and the screen goes to sleep... I left it on overnight (with my Macbook pro in sleep mode by the way!!) and it charged it up all the way.

I'm charging it right now on my HP Elitebook laptop at work. It will be interesting to see how much the HP can charge it.

BTW, on both machines, it did say "not charging" when the screen was on, but i'm assuming it started charging it once the screen went dark.

 

[djrobsd]

I hope the Onion makes a video about Apple one of these days... But for now, for those of you crying over spilled iPad milk, here's a fun video to cheer you up:

http://www.theonion.com/video/sony-releases-new-stupid-piece-of-****-that-doesnt,14309/

 

[wallinbl]

I now retract my earlier statement. It's terrible on the WiFi at work. I have to repeatedly turn off WiFi and turn it back on or it won't get any data at all.

 

[Sealevel]

No problems here with wi fi or charging. This thing is awesome!!!

 

[Shasterball]

Your attitude is one I envy, but what I'd really prefer is my attitude with so much money that I can buy v1 and every revision after!

Well, ya. If I had unlimited $$, I'd buy everything right away too!!!

 

[ericinboston]

Can you charge your macbook air by plugging it into a macbook pro's USB port? Hell, some mobile phones with big batteries can't even be charged by USB. It's a simple matter of physics.

But the Macbook Air doesn't ADVERTISE that it can be charged via a USB port...does it?

That's my (and everyone else's) beef. If I owned the iPad and it had this problem with ANY of my computers (Mini and various PCs) I would return the iPad based on misleading advertising/defectiveness (however Apple wants to spin it). I'm not an Apple hater but as others mentioned here, the iPad requires a computer (at least the first time to get it running) and also advertises that it charges via USB ports.

-Eric

 

[Will do good]

No issue with my iPad at all.

 

[jegbook]

Apple and WiFi

I've had 3 or 4 Apple laptops with WiFi. My current 2.5 year old MacBook has given me the most experience I've had with a Windows laptop -- running Win XP and Win 7 on it natively.

As a computer support professional, I've consistently had more frustrations with WiFi on Apple devices, which I think is generally due to Apple's software drivers.

A major frustration I have with Apple's WiFi software is its reporting of signal strength. On my MacBook, both with Leopard and Snow Leopard, it usually shows a connected network as having full signal strength, even when it's clearly not. It shows me one bar before connection and 4 after? Huh?

If I boot into Windows (XP or Win 7) on my MacBook, it will usually have better signal strength and report the same signal strength before and after connection. I am confident the signal strength actually is better as in low signal areas, Windows could use the network connection without issue whereas OS X would struggle.

My MacBook in Snow Leopard and my 3gs iPhone will sometimes drop 1 bar of signal strength less than 10 ft from my home router. ??
Appl'es WiFi drivers seemed to start going downhill with the 10.4.10 Tiger update and it's been iffy since. Sigh.

Apple WiFi drivers also seem to struggle interfacing with some routers. Chances are good this is what is happening on iPads.

It's an ongoing frustration of mine with Apple, but not enough to not consider purchasing their products.

Overall, I think the PowerBook 5300 has been Apple's only major miss on a product release. (Well, Newtons were a miss, but that may have been more about timing the market and less about functionality.) Otherwise, there have been some quirks with Rev A Apple products, but I think dismissing Rev A as Beta testing is hyperbole.

HP laptops seem to overheat very well, and that seems irrespective of rev...

Interested to see how the iPad may change the educational market. High initial investment, but being able to update a textbook should be VERY cheap. Wow.

Happy iPadding!

 

[cmaier]

But the Macbook Air doesn't ADVERTISE that it can be charged via a USB port...does it?

That's my (and everyone else's) beef. If I owned the iPad and it had this problem with ANY of my computers (Mini and various PCs) I would return the iPad based on misleading advertising/defectiveness (however Apple wants to spin it). I'm not an Apple hater but as others mentioned here, the iPad requires a computer (at least the first time to get it running) and also advertises that it charges via USB ports.

-Eric

But it DOES charge via any USB port - just not while you are also using the iPad (but the battery doesn't run down while you are using the iPad and it is plugged into a USB port). At least that's what has been widely reported.

Nowhere does Apple say you can simultaneously charge it via any arbitrary USB port at the same time you are using the iPad.

 

[AidenShaw]

Hitting some of the news sites....

What do iPad’s Wi-Fi problems mean for AT&T?

http://blog.connectedplanetonline.c...06/what-do-ipads-wi-fi-problems-mean-for-att/

 

[jegbook]

waiting forever...

So, do you use a computer, then, until you can get the product that you want?
And what do you do when a month after you've bought your $200 500GB SSD drive they release a $750 GB SSD drive for $200?

I might imagine that you would buy both since you've clearly identified a successful marketing system and are likely using this system in your own very successful business and have plenty of expendable income.

In the intervening time, thousands of users will enjoy the products they actually have with frustrations here and there (what product is perfect?) and Apple will continue to sell thousands of units to customers who are happy overall.

... and no one will notice that you are outsmarting us all...

I must go, now, to work on my inherrently flawed computer products that I somehow find a way to enjoy none-the-less.

I can tell you that this is a marketing ploy...

1) Promote and build interest in the iPad, but don't sell the fully functional, 3G model yet, but put out there the wifi model to wet their whistle.

2) As people see the limitation of the wifi model, they will want to sell their wifi model and get the 3G model, so as to have access to networks all the time.

3) So Apple gets two sales for the marketing for one.

4) Genius! Gotta hand it to Mr. Jobs for pulling it over on all that had to have this device the very second it hit the market so you can tell and show off your stuff to your friends.

This is so obvious...don't be naive.

This is just like the companies who put software out there that is really still in Beta, but they market it like all new sliced bread! The best thing to do is wait, buy things used, use a friends (capitalize on their stupid decisions).

This is why I am waiting a couple years for 500GB SSD drives with 500 MB/write and read speeds (and it will happen) for $200 a piece.

 

[Eso]

Irony!

Halfway through browsing this thread while in bed on my 3GS and I get this (notice the full bars of WiFi):



It comes as no surprise, however. It decides to randomly stop transmitting data while connected to WiFi all the time. There's just a bunch of connection issues with the iPhone OS in general, 3G included, and the iPad is just the latest victim.

 

[cmaier]

What do iPad’s Wi-Fi problems mean for AT&T?

http://blog.connectedplanetonline.c...06/what-do-ipads-wi-fi-problems-mean-for-att/

This article doesn't seem to make any point.

 

[SeattleMoose]

Devolution.....

"I can't charge my huge iPad battery off my computer's low power USB port"

And the reason that the iPad comes its own charger/cable is??????

The average IQ in this country is shrinking as fast as polar ice.