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

[Friscohoya]

The charger thing sounds more like an educational thing, but the fact that the wifi is crappy on a wifi only device seems odd. That seems like th efirst thing that they would test to death. In fact how could they test the thing and not test the wifi?

Maybe their secrecy prevents them from testing in real world situations.

 

[emotion]

No, I do not wish for more space. I did that with the iPhone and rarely fill it to capacity. My thinking is this is an extension of cloud computing. The old method of keeping everything on the computer, with it's benefits and drawbacks, is slowly dying. This is neither an iPod Touch/iPhone nor a laptop (IMO that is where many people are getting hung up). This is a new format and we'll all be "computing" like this in the near future. I, like many, are just aware of what is needed and when and sync to those needs.

I've been considering the 16GB for that exact reason. This is potentially the first "cloud device" and is really a new paradigm (if you're reading this and don't agree, that's cool we can all have different views). Hence my speculation above.

They better sort the wifi wrinkle if that is truly the case though 😉

 

[rstansby]

The USB thing is funny to me.

This thing is honestly much closer to a Macbook than an iPod. Who really expects a computer's USB port to be able to charge a laptop?

Bear in mind that many of the ports that people say "can't" charge it actually are charging, but only when the device is asleep. It can power or charge, but not both at once.

And, of course, some ports can do both at once and some can't do either. So it's a wide range of options which is confusing and confused people complain.

So it's a shame it had to be complicated. People would actually complain less if it just didn't charge in ANY USB ports because then at least they'd know how it worked. It really is the confusion that's the problem, I think.

But I think complaining if your computer won't charge the iPad is a bit silly. It's not Apple's fault that the USB specs don't require that level of power on every port.

Their slogan is "It Just Works". I think it is perfectly reasonable for "regular" people to be surprised that they can't just plug this into any USB port to charge.
I am not surprised that charging the battery is an issue, and in fact I started a thread about charging last week <https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/886222/>

 

[RawBert]

This sort of "wisdom sharing" is really tiresome.We're pretty much all adults and have a good idea of the small potential problem of adopting early.

+1

Yes, it has become quite tiresome. Computers will have problems here and there. Why let that "cautious approach" stop you? Especially in the case of the TOTALLY COOL iPad.

 

[coyote]

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.

<advice><smug>This is just one of the reasons why you never buy a Rev A product.</smug></advice> <snark>Good luck to all of those who just couldn't wait to get this <mock>big ipod touch</mock>.</snark> <sarcasm>Hopefully yours are okay.</sarcasm>

Seriously, this just seems so sad and angry.

 

[E.Lizardo]

Or just emotionally invested in their choices, as we all tend to be. Once you commit to a choice, you look favorably on it and news that favors it, and you look down on the alternatives and praise news that tears it down.

Yep

 

[charlituna]

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

no matter how extensive you test you can't account for every single possible combination.

plus the number of reports isn't really that high. Over 300k units went into customer hands on Saturday and there's probably 100-200 reports of wifi issues. Which could actually be the cause of the router and not the ipad. but still, that's not even 1/10th of one percent.

And on the charging thing, at least they included the wall piece. Imagine if they hadn't. Especially since the standard alone power adapter isn't out yet.

but again, how many users are we talking about 100, 1000k. 3000k is 1% of the confirmed units. that isn't really all that widespread either. Annoying yes but not high enough to scream design flaw

 

[AidenShaw]

If so, they should sue Apple for damages.

Expect to see customer's with fried USB ports.

If this happens, it's because the Ipad is defective and Apple should be liable for any standard equipment that it damages.

Check my post at https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/9586026/ - you'll see the quote from the USB spec that:

A device may be either low-power at one unit load [100mA] or high-power, consuming up to five unit loads [500mA]. All devices default to low-power. The transition to high-power is under software control.

It is the responsibility of software to ensure adequate power is available before allowing devices to consume high-power.

 

[E.Lizardo]

1. I never said that the problem was with the majority of iPad owners.
2. If you all want to buy the 1st generation of a product, more power to you, and thank you for your purchase. I choose not to. There was no subliminal dig - my post was in clear, plain English. I don't buy 1st gen products. What you choose to do is your decision.

But you chose to expend precious minutes of your life telling us all how superior your decision was.It's a clear implication we are fools.

 

[Trek2100]

Some folks have complained about WiFi problems with FIOS routers. Is there anyone with a FIOS router that does not have a problem? Since I will mostly be using the iPad at home I don't want to get the iPad if I'm going to continually be having issues. I read the article on Apple's website regarding issues with "some" routers. I wish they would be a little more specific.🙁

 

[Detlev]

Typical. Release device before it's ready. Deny any and all problems. 🙄

Jealous much?😛

No, seriously. I'm one of those who does the A versions all the time, and not only with computers. Yeah, it can be a pain but I think it's worth it. Otherwise I could end up waiting for the perfect version - which never comes.

 

[cmaier]

Apple should have provided a separate power cable for iPad. Expect to see customer's with fried USB ports.

They did.

 

[jclardy]

I am guessing that the users that are having problems have either old/cheap wireless N routers. I have about 2 other N devices which worked terribly when I had a cheap D-Link wireless N router (Only broadcasted B,G,N on 2.4Ghz) and the Wireless N devices dropped connections every 2-3 minutes. I disabled the N on the router then they operated fine. Later I upgraded to Apple's Airport Extreme and now I get 5 bars everywhere and no dropped connections.

I am guessing some of these old 'Draft N' routers are the source of the issues, people just think it is the iPad because it is their only device with 802.11N.

 

[worth]

USB charging

I had the same issue with my Kindle 2 not charging through my old HP desktop's USB port (even though it was USB 2). Not enough power supplied to it.
In the interim, I just plugged into my powered USB hub, which did the trick (and also by using the supplied wall charger). Then when the pc's internal power supply happened to die, I replaced it with a slightly more powerful one, and can now charge the Kindle through the USB 2 port just fine.
Still waiting for iPad WiFi+3G!

 

[linsam]

I bought my magical 16GB iPad on Saturday and want to report that I DO NOT have any WIFI issues. I have had a strong, consistent signal. I just wanted to post some positive feedback. Hope it helps.

To those who bought on day one --- ENJOY your new toy! It is already so much more than I thought it would be!

Cheers!

 

[E.Lizardo]

<advice><smug>This is just one of the reasons why you never buy a Rev A product.</smug></advice> <snark>Good luck to all of those who just couldn't wait to get this <mock>big ipod touch</mock>.</snark> <sarcasm>Hopefully yours are okay.</sarcasm>

Seriously, this just seems so sad and angry.

Don't forget immature

 

[salterra]

Mifi and charging

I have had no issues with the Wifi. Always fast for me.

I did notice the charging issues. My Macbook Pro works fine but is slow to charge. My PCs have been unable to charge it. I thought it was a cable issue so glad to hear it is the USB power instead.

 

[bbotte]

I have had 0 wi-fi issues with my iPad. I am using a current model 1 Gb Time Capsule though. As for the charging I used common sense, saw that the hub wasn't charging and plugged it into The MacBook Air's USB and saw it would charge there and figured it out. I will say in only takes about 2 hrs to charge the iPad with the supplied plug. I just charge it that way. My battery lasts forever on this iPad, they did a really good job with it. Very cool.

 

[sfbayrealtor]

No issues here

No charging or Wifi issues here.

 

[Eminemdrdre00]

Weak wifi was the first negative thing I noticed about my iPad. I'm only a few rooms away from my router. Full connection on my iPhone and just 1 tiny "bar" of wifi on the iPad.

 

[Agincourt]

This thing is honestly much closer to a Macbook than an iPod. Who really expects a computer's USB port to be able to charge a laptop?

Uh... I'd just call it an oversized ipod touch. After all, it doesn't even have its own USB port.

So it's a shame it had to be complicated. People would actually complain less if it just didn't charge in ANY USB ports because then at least they'd know how it worked. It really is the confusion that's the problem, I think.

One thing I'd certainly complain about is Apple's tendency to design devices which can't interface with certain adapters. I was frustrated when they dropped firewire on the ipod video, but you could at least charge it from a FW port, which is active even when a computer's on sleep mode.

Then I got a brand new ipod touch and found it rejects even that function. Then I tried hooking it up to my car's sound system through a dock... CONNECTOR NOT SUPPORTED BY THIS DEVICE! It was supported by the ipod video, so why not a more modern version?

Thanks, Apple. Will you be so kind as to replace my sound system now so that it can work with your device? Or at the very least, don't needlessly remove functions from your devices.

But I think complaining if your computer won't charge the iPad is a bit silly. It's not Apple's fault that the USB specs don't require that level of power on every port.

I won't dispute that. There's the way the world should be and the way it is. If Apple didn't take that little detail into consideration when designing the ipad, then maybe they shouldn't have gone with just a dock for charging a very large device.

 

[PastorMac]

Since I got my iPad on Saturday it has dropped a wifi signal once. I don't find it as a problem or an issue with my 3 days of use. I have an Apple Time Capsule at home and an Apple Router at work. I also view this more like a laptop and charge it using the enclosed "brick" that came with the iPad. I also don't charge my iPhone or my iPods on my iPac.

 

[charlituna]

I too have to recconnect through the settings. Signal strength drops even when 5 feet away from router.

Better be a software/firmware issue.

What kind of router are you using, single or dual band, what other wifi devices are you using at the same time. Is the firmware for the router up to date.

these are the kinds of questions that could determine if the issue is the ipad or your setup. and exactly the sorts of stuff Apple can't cover every single basis on. too many permutations

 

[salterra]

I am guessing that the users that are having problems have either old/cheap wireless N routers. I have about 2 other N devices which worked terribly when I had a cheap D-Link wireless N router (Only broadcasted B,G,N on 2.4Ghz) and the Wireless N devices dropped connections every 2-3 minutes. I disabled the N on the router then they operated fine. Later I upgraded to Apple's Airport Extreme and now I get 5 bars everywhere and no dropped connections.

I am guessing some of these old 'Draft N' routers are the source of the issues, people just think it is the iPad because it is their only device with 802.11N.

Good points. I have Airport Extreme routers and they work perfectly. I in fact have the network also extended with my Time Capsule and get 5 bars everywhere.

 

[RawBert]

I love the Haters, we have a few at work, that think just because they don't have a use for one then no one else does. Hey no one's forcing you to buy it, but If I have to hear you run me down one more time for buying an Ipad....

Haters SUCK! 😡

I had the opposite at my work. Every person at my office who saw my iPad immediately said they wanted one (including upper management). 🙂