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Early iPad User Complaints: Weak Wi-Fi, Charging Issues
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no problems here
I haven't experienced any problems with WiFi. I have an AirPort Extreme (late 2009) running a dual-band network and looking at the AirPort client list I can see that the iPad connects to the faster 802.11n rather than the slower 802.11b network that our old iBook uses.
Regarding the charging, I have a MacBook Pro (3,1) from 2007 and its built-in USB ports are not enough to charge the iPad while the iPad is in use. Apparently it will slowly charge when the iPad display is turned off. Having such a big device tethered to a laptop is kind of cumbersome anyway, so I prefer to charge it with the USB power adapter.
I haven't experienced any problems with WiFi. I have an AirPort Extreme (late 2009) running a dual-band network and looking at the AirPort client list I can see that the iPad connects to the faster 802.11n rather than the slower 802.11b network that our old iBook uses.
Regarding the charging, I have a MacBook Pro (3,1) from 2007 and its built-in USB ports are not enough to charge the iPad while the iPad is in use. Apparently it will slowly charge when the iPad display is turned off. Having such a big device tethered to a laptop is kind of cumbersome anyway, so I prefer to charge it with the USB power adapter.
No issues
I've been using my iPad quite far away from my router and have had no problems. As for the 'not charging' I'm not surprised at all. This is a powerful device, not an iPod.
I've been using my iPad quite far away from my router and have had no problems. As for the 'not charging' I'm not surprised at all. This is a powerful device, not an iPod.
Thanks for the reply. It seems you and another have similar thoughts... "pick things you want and resync". I think I'll save $100 too!
iPad Charging not Charging...
I have a newer Unitbody 17" Macbook Pro... It will charge the iPad while syncing while running OS X... The same laptop does not charge it under windows 7 with Bootcamp 3.1...
Must be a driver issue
I have a newer Unitbody 17" Macbook Pro... It will charge the iPad while syncing while running OS X... The same laptop does not charge it under windows 7 with Bootcamp 3.1...
Must be a driver issue
If that's what you took from it, then you put a lot more thought into my post than I did. I was calling no one a fool. I have no problem with early adopters. I just choose not to be one anymore on the hardware side of things. It's too expensive when you only have a certain budget for these type of gadgets. Maybe $500 - $700 is no big deal to you, but when it's my money we're talking about, I like to have at least one generation out there on the market for some of the early bugs, quirks, and kinks to be discovered before parting with said money. With software, I'm quicker to jump because I can always erase and restore if necessary and it is far cheaper.
Thanks for the reply. Count me in with that old school thinking and getting hung up when it comes to thinking everything has to be kept on the computer. You and another replied with similar sentiments. Not having an iPod touch or iPhone (yet) and not even a laptop (ever) and wanting this (as my first mobile device), I'm getting hung on on size matters.
I think I'll go with the smaller size for now, and like the other poster, apply the savings to accessories and apps and get a feel for this new type of computing and start experiencing the cloud. I guess I could join flickr and not use space for photos, join MobileMe and get 20 GB storage and I guess Apple will shows us why they built that NC facility and why they purchased Lala, as well, very soon. Thanks again for the input!
I guess once this old dog learns new tricks, a newer technology, lower price, more powerful, greater storage iPad with camera and whatever else that might currently be missing, will come out and I can sell to upgrade at a minimal expense.
My experience
Obviously some people are having real trouble, but my iPad gets full bars and loads web pages instantly, both at my home (via Airport Extreme) and at work (via an old Qwest wireless router). The iPad even works from the middle of the street outside my home.
I wonder what this will turn out to be?
Obviously some people are having real trouble, but my iPad gets full bars and loads web pages instantly, both at my home (via Airport Extreme) and at work (via an old Qwest wireless router). The iPad even works from the middle of the street outside my home.
I wonder what this will turn out to be?
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).
Same here. Some of them initially laughed, calling it a giant iPod Touch, but after getting their fingers on it they were impressed. I should get a commission from Apple; a few of them are now iPhone and Macbook users 'cause my of unofficial demos and I expect to see more iPads around here soon.
PS -- As an aside, I love how electronic dictionaries (like that in Safari) -- and Google! -- still think that the word iPad is a misspelled iPod...
poll Please
Let have a poll where people can tell us:
No issue with charging or WIFI
Weaker WIFI Signal
Significant WIFI issues
Chargin issues when pluged to wall socket
Chargin issues when pluged to computer
Lets see how many are having issues and how many are not having problems. If significant MacRummor customers are having issues, others should know.
Let have a poll where people can tell us:
No issue with charging or WIFI
Weaker WIFI Signal
Significant WIFI issues
Chargin issues when pluged to wall socket
Chargin issues when pluged to computer
Lets see how many are having issues and how many are not having problems. If significant MacRummor customers are having issues, others should know.
Polls can be abused. It's just another variation on the lousy positive/negative ratings system.
The only complaint I have is I wish wifi supported a preferred setting. I have two wifi in my house and it always seems to connect to the weakest one, forcing me to change manually to the other. The weak one is upstairs for use up there.
Hmm...
Just plug into a wall and stop crying. As for the wi-fi problem, hope apple has a fix soon. That one could be a problem.
Just plug into a wall and stop crying. As for the wi-fi problem, hope apple has a fix soon. That one could be a problem.
WiFi performance seems fine despite signal reading
It fluctuates between one and full bars, but I was able to stream an episode of Weeds from Netflix without a single interruption, so as far as I am concerned the signal meter is irrelevant.
It charges from my 2007 iMac, but only after the iPad's screen turns off. Until then it says "not charging".
I love the iPad, and will love it even more once it can sync wirelessly!
Barry.
It fluctuates between one and full bars, but I was able to stream an episode of Weeds from Netflix without a single interruption, so as far as I am concerned the signal meter is irrelevant.
It charges from my 2007 iMac, but only after the iPad's screen turns off. Until then it says "not charging".
I love the iPad, and will love it even more once it can sync wirelessly!
Barry.
The charging issue would not be a problem if Apple had stayed with Firewire on the ipad and iphone. If memory serves correct Firewire 400 6 pin and Firewire 800 can provide 30 volts and 1500mA worth of power over the onboard ports of ALL macs produced over the past decade. In contrast USB 2.0 High Power can only manage 12 volts and 1100mA and regular USB 1.1 and 2.0 can only muster 5v and 500mA. Firewire has more than enough to power and Charge an ipad, unfortunately Apple decided to abandon the superior Firewire technology in favor of reaching a broader PC market that was largely unequipped with firewire.
Not to mention the fact that Firewire 400 despite being about 13 years old can outperform USB 2.0 in most scenarios. While I'm at it it's also important to note that Firewire 800 absolutely creams USB 2.0 in transfer rates and has been around for about 7 years and yes all while we are still waiting for USB 3.0.
I am not surprised by the wifi range issue though. Since the ipad was announced the wifi range was a concern to me as i doubted that it would be much better than an iphone or itouch not to mention a laptop. With a device that is as mobile as the ipad 3G service is a must to get the best experience. Think about it.... how useful would your iphone be if it was restricted only to wifi? With a device like the ipad I expect the same range of mobility that I get with the iphone. Namely being able to use it in my car wherever I may be, at the beach, in the mountains, at a park etc, all places where there most likely will be no Wifi but most likely 3G coverage. I also don't want the hassle of searching for wifi hotspots that I can access and having to worry about security issues.
If I purchase an ipad it would most definitely be a 3G version as I would hate to plunk down $500 plus and be limited to using the ipad only at home, school, and work. I can use my Macbook pro just fine for those locales. I want an ipad for true mobility where I can enjoy the internet wherever I may be 100% of the time. After all isn't that the purpose of having a 1.5 pound tablet device?
Not to mention the fact that Firewire 400 despite being about 13 years old can outperform USB 2.0 in most scenarios. While I'm at it it's also important to note that Firewire 800 absolutely creams USB 2.0 in transfer rates and has been around for about 7 years and yes all while we are still waiting for USB 3.0.
I am not surprised by the wifi range issue though. Since the ipad was announced the wifi range was a concern to me as i doubted that it would be much better than an iphone or itouch not to mention a laptop. With a device that is as mobile as the ipad 3G service is a must to get the best experience. Think about it.... how useful would your iphone be if it was restricted only to wifi? With a device like the ipad I expect the same range of mobility that I get with the iphone. Namely being able to use it in my car wherever I may be, at the beach, in the mountains, at a park etc, all places where there most likely will be no Wifi but most likely 3G coverage. I also don't want the hassle of searching for wifi hotspots that I can access and having to worry about security issues.
If I purchase an ipad it would most definitely be a 3G version as I would hate to plunk down $500 plus and be limited to using the ipad only at home, school, and work. I can use my Macbook pro just fine for those locales. I want an ipad for true mobility where I can enjoy the internet wherever I may be 100% of the time. After all isn't that the purpose of having a 1.5 pound tablet device?
I have an airport extreme in my basement that, two stories up, mac MBP will connect OK if I am over that spot in the house, but if I move a couple feet west, no dice. The ipad barely gets a signal up there. My upstairs old UFO airport gives me a killer signal, nice and fast. At work, no problem. The only issue I would tell you is the range is not as good as a laptop or even an iphone. I guess rev B ipads will have the black plastic back, but oh I love the Al.
I am really curious as to if this works or not. I want to do the same thing when I purchase my next apple product. It works in theory, yes, but does it work? (and I'd imagine the huge THRILL you get when you actually smash it on "accident")
The USB charging issue isn't the result of a design or manufacturing error, there's nothing anyone can do about older USB power supply ability, and cutting down the iPad's current draw to match makes no sense.
And Apple ships a proper charger in the box.
The WiFi issue is something else. The which I've not seen on this iPad at all. Might show up on a few iPad's, maybe more, maybe not.
So you suggest not to even try just becuase there are some people that are not honest?
With a poll we have a chance of getting an idea of how bad the problem is, without a poll there is no way to know.
Does anyone know if the location of the WiFi antenna is close to where the plastic enclosure is located on the 3G iPad?
Interesting...
I've had a similar problem with wi-fi on another Apple system. It was eventually fixed with a software upgrade and me realizing there was signal interference from my neighbors handheld phone. I wonder if the iPad has problems with finding a clear channel?
I've had a similar problem with wi-fi on another Apple system. It was eventually fixed with a software upgrade and me realizing there was signal interference from my neighbors handheld phone. I wonder if the iPad has problems with finding a clear channel?
Hmm I love all my Firewire devices (drives, audio/midi interfaces etc) but the hot-swapability of FW is a little shakey. It's pretty easy to fry a port. This makes it less suitable for consumer devices like iPods/iPhones/iPads imo.
At school, the teacher's iPad worked well, including Wi-Fi. However, my 2006 MBP could not charge the thing, so this issue is definitely real.