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

[wizard]

Not a problem like the lack of RAM is.

I don't know about the rest of you but these aren't problems that would keep me from buying an ipad.

First; the so called charging problem, Read the DAMN Manual or RTFM! Seriously are people this stupid they can't understand that a higher performing device with a giant battery needs more effort in recharging. The fact is the unit comes with the proper recharger, which works fine, so what is the big deal?

Second; the WiFi issue might be real or it might not be, the reports are to mixed to know for sure. At this point we don't even know if it is a hardware or software issue, if it is an issue. In any event does anyone here expect perfect performance out of a brand new device with a new rev of the OS?

Look; I'm not one to run out and buy anything at introduction anymore. To old for that but lets face it I've done so in the past. But you have to be open minded with computing hardware as the possibility for regressions in the real world is very high. It is the price you pay for being an early adopter.

Besides all of that, neither of these is as significant as the lack of RAM in the iPad and the sneaky way Apple hide that from the early adopters. If you want something to complain about this is a real issue.


Dave

 

[thirtyeyes]

Really, you are still naive enough to call the iPad a big iPod touch? Do you know anything about the iPad or even seen a commercial? Spend 15 minutes with an iPad and you will understand. If so, you wouldn't make such foolish remarks.

I have one, I love it. It still seems like a big iPod touch to me.

When will it not?
1. Tethering to my iphone (via bluetooth would be nice).
2. File folder storage for documents.
3. Multi-tasking.
4. Ability to plug in a portable hard drive.


Let's hope we get a couple of these things when OS4 comes out.

I have given up hope for tethering without a jail break.

 

[AidenShaw]

http://www.usb.org/developers/devclass_docs

Look at "Battery charging"

Table 5-2 lists the currents.

This document describes the USB "Battery Charging Specification" that will "permit devices to draw current in excess of the USB 2.0 specification", up to 1500mA or 1800mA. In other words, it applies to the Apple 10w adapter, and other USB chargers.

The spec defines a port called a "charging port", which may or may not have data lines. (The word "charging" does not appear in the entire 650 page USB 2.0 spec, so I conclude that the "Battery Charging Spec" is an ancillary document, not a revision of USB 2.0.)

Since the Apple document says that you should connect to a "high-power USB 2.0 port", and the USB 2.0 specification clearly defines a "high-power port" as a 500mA/5v port - then if the Ipad needs a "charging port" the Apple document is misleading.

In other words, a fully compliant "high-power USB 2.0 port" is not required to provide more than 500mA sustained current. A "charging port" can be compliant with USB 2.0, and supply up to 1800mA.

The "Battery Charging Specification" defines protocols so that you can plug any USB device into it without smoking.

On the surface, though, it would seem that Apple's 2000mA Ipad charger exceeds the charging port's specs. Hopefully, Apple's cable will have large enough conductors so nothing melts.

If you have a low power USB port, you can either use the wall adapter or put the iPad down and let it charge.

A "low-power USB 2.0 port" is a 100mA port, like the ones on an Apple USB keyboard or other unpowered hub. Will the Ipad charge from that even when off?

USB wasn't designed for powering anything but small peripherals, but it's a minimum standard--as long as you maintain compatibility with the full spec, you can do whatever you want.

Actually, the spec allows a maximum inrush surge current of 5000mA, and allows current limiting to 500mA as long as there's a time delay that allows inrush spikes to occur without tripping the limiter. You can't do "whatever you want".

It's neither defective nor incorrectly advertised.

A fully compliant "high-power USB 2.0 port" can limit current to 500 mA after a short time delay to allow for a power-on surge. If the Ipad doesn't work with this, then Apple's wording is misleading.

 

[wizard]

Actually the comparison is a good one.

Really, you are still naive enough to call the iPad a big iPod touch? Do you know anything about the iPad or even seen a commercial? Spend 15 minutes with an iPad and you will understand. If so, you wouldn't make such foolish remarks.

In some ways the iPad is less of a machine than the Touch. The lack of RAM being one of them. In other ways it follows the Touch mold very closely, with many parts being either similar or the same.

Sit back and be objective and you will understand what we are saying. In many ways the iPad is nothing more than a Touch with a big screen. By the way that isn't to slight the machine in the least bit as the Touch is an incredibly nice little machine. It just accurately defines what the hardware is.

Dave

 

[lilo777]

It is quite a positive thing that several days after launch these are the only complaints that are surfacing - to call these points major is definitely overkill. No wifi problems here and who would think they could charge a tablet computer with a 9.7" screen via a USB port? Seriously...

Not really. Considering that iPad uses essentially the same CPU and OS as iPod Touch (and probably a lot of other components) one should not expect any issues. And yes people were expecting to be able to charge iPad from USB port because this is stated in iPad specs (I know Apple fans do not like any mentioning of specs but what can I do)

 

[pondie84]

In many ways the iPad is nothing more than a Touch with a big screen. By the way that isn't to slight the machine in the least bit as the Touch is an incredibly nice little machine. It just accurately defines what the hardware is.

I think this is pretty much right. A lot of people probably won't mind having something like an iPod Touch, just with a bigger screen to make certain tasks more accessible. I'll certainly be happy enough with that. Its utility is entirely dependant on the user. Its certainly not for everyone... but what product is?

Whether it's 'revolutionary' is another matter. The use of the word 'magical' was always embarassing.

 

[psxndc]

with all due respect, where the hell have you people been? The WiFi connectivity on my iPhone 3G is abysmal unless I'm standing next to the access point (which is an Airport Extreme) and has been over the last few updates. In fact, it doesn't even connect to WiFi half the time - it sticks to 3G.

Color me totally unsurprised.

 

[slffl]

I'm having the WiFi issue.

However, the charging is a non-issue. First off USB ports are off when the computer is asleep. It needs to be on to charge even the iPhone. And as far as the iPad not charging while connected to the computer, it makes perfect sense since it does require more power. USB ports can't even keep a cup of coffee warm. Jeesh.

 

[Velin]

Sure am glad I didn't throw away money on a crippled device and crashing apps. Have fun troubleshooting.

Come on Apple, release the Macbook updates -- you know, your OSX computing devices where users can actually accomplish something with the device?

 

[AidenShaw]

USB ports can't even keep a cup of coffee warm. Jeesh.

You mean that I wasted my money on this?

 

[gerlitzappel]

speedtest.net

just an FYI for anyone testing the download/upload speed of their iPad over Wi-Fi, if you are getting poor results try another server, on my MacBook Pro I get substantially different results from one server to another, 2Mbps down from the default server in Miami vs. 16Mbps down from the server in Tampa.

 

[chatin]

iPad loves N-EZ routers.

Connected a 16GB iPad to a bargain basement Wireless-N 2.4Ghz (N-EZ) router and got great results. EZ-N's are available for as little as $25 but lack the high frequency of a 5.4Ghz N-band router like Airport Extreme.

 

[sportguy0913]

Big Surprise....

 

[sportguy0913]

You mean that I wasted my money on this?

Love it!

 

[Corbin052198]

This is just one of the reasons why you never buy a Rev A product.

Good luck to all of those who just couldn't wait to get this big ipod touch. Hopefully yours are okay.

I usally never buy a Rev A product. I had never expected the product that Steve Jobs called revolutionary (wait...he does that with everything ), that had it`s own press event, and was an inproved version of something they already made (the iPhone) would have big bugs. With Apple tooting it up so much, you would think that they would test it more.

Oh well. I guess that will be iPhone OS 3.2.1 (or 4.0, if it's quick enough).

 

[Takeo]

No issues with wireless here. Charging off USB is slow but I expected that. Simple solution... plug it into a wall outlet.

 

[eleven59]

my iphone wont even charge from the keyboard's USB.. why would it be diff for an even larger device??

 

[furi0usbee]

iPad still no MBP replacement

Try as I might to replace my MBP, I still can't, partly because my WiFi is so weak, and I lose my connection only after a few minutes. Next to my MBP with full signal strength, I'm lucky to get one bar with my iPad. This sucks, as I'm trying to go without using my MBP for content viewing (I still use my MBP for content creation) so I decide if I want to go after the 3G model at the end of the month. I mean, 3G is probably faster than my WiFi right now.

I don't know if I should take it back to BestBuy and tell them I want a new one, or take it to the Apple store and tell them the same. Is it hardware related, software? Who knows. I only know I can get a perfect signal with my MBP, but my iPad you'd think is across the block, with such a weak signal.

Anyone else returned theirs and had better luck with the second unit?

 

[furi0usbee]

K, no replies.... going back and playing PvZ. Damn I love that game!

 

[kainjow]

Just a reminder... political posts should go in the PRSI, not here. Thanks.

 

[llurgy]

I have no issues up to now with my Linksys WiFi on my iPad.

I have a 1st Gen iPod Touch and if anything the iPad was getting slightly higher numbers that the iPod Touch, though the difference was negligible.
The WiFi symbol always shows full bars.

 

[Bk-Sebastian]

No problems with wifi so far but I haven't tried it outside my home network. I'm on Airport Extreme and the iPad has the same strength as my MB.

 

[matticus008]

Since the Apple document says that you should connect to a "high-power USB 2.0 port", and the USB 2.0 specification clearly defines a "high-power port" as a 500mA/5v port - then if the Ipad needs a "charging port" the Apple document is misleading.

The iPad charges on the 500mA/5V standard USB power. It does not both charge and run on such a port.

A "low-power USB 2.0 port" is a 100mA port, like the ones on an Apple USB keyboard or other unpowered hub. Will the Ipad charge from that even when off?

We have a terminology difference here--those ports are often referred to as unpowered, just as you did above. Technically they are low-power, while the "normal" USB ports are high-power. You're right, and I should have chosen my words more carefully.

What I meant by "low power" was that if you have a standard, non-charging, powered USB port delivering 500mA/5V ("USB high-power"), you will have to put the iPad down and let it charge while connected to that port.

If you connect it to an unpowered, 100mA ("USB low-power") port, it won't charge at all, like any other device using the battery charging specification.

If you have a higher-output/charging port, as is commonly provided on modern computers from most or all major manufacturers, then you can both charge and use the iPad at the same time.

Actually, the spec allows a maximum inrush surge current of 5000mA, and allows current limiting to 500mA as long as there's a time delay that allows inrush spikes to occur without tripping the limiter. You can't do "whatever you want".

Failing to obey the inrush limits would be outside of compatibility with the specification and endanger other devices, and therefore does not meet the condition precedent I specified.

I repeat, so long as you maintain compatibility with the full spec, you can do whatever you want.

 

[mosx]

No problems with my iPad. No heat issues, no wifi issues, no charging problems.

The iPad ships with a 10 watt adapter and people are surprised that it won't charge off most USB ports? This is a non issue people

With that said, my MacBook charges my iPad. Late 2008 unibody MacBook. Charges while syncing and while using.

My wifi is rock solid. Full signal everywhere in the house. Using a Netgear "Open Source" G router running DD WRT. I test full 20Mbps on a 20Mbps connection.

 

[gcortega]

I can happily report that my iPad works great. No wifi issues whatsoever, barely heats up when I use it and the battery lasts me like 2 days on one charge. I'm loving the damn thing!