Perhaps, but I never had the misfortune of Frying a Firewire port with any of my devices. It's also important to note that the first few generations of ipod were Firewire only devices and I owned two of them with no issues, one of which is almost 8 years old.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Early iPad User Complaints: Weak Wi-Fi, Charging Issues
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Perhaps, but I never had the misfortune of Frying a Firewire port with any of my devices. It's also important to note that the first few generations of ipod were Firewire only devices and I owned two of them with no issues, one of which is almost 8 years old.
charging
Charging maybe an issue depending on the USB port of the computer.
For example my MBP 5,1 has two USB ports, the one closest to the power plug charges and syncs my iPhone just fine.
The one furthest from the power plug will not charge my iPhone.
If the iPAD needs even more juice than the iPhone to charge, it is possible that those having issues maybe using the weaker USB port.
Why Apple designed the MBP that way, is beyond my comprehension, but we need live with it. It is a documented "feature".
Charging maybe an issue depending on the USB port of the computer.
For example my MBP 5,1 has two USB ports, the one closest to the power plug charges and syncs my iPhone just fine.
The one furthest from the power plug will not charge my iPhone.
If the iPAD needs even more juice than the iPhone to charge, it is possible that those having issues maybe using the weaker USB port.
Why Apple designed the MBP that way, is beyond my comprehension, but we need live with it. It is a documented "feature".
wow. just wow.
Epic Fail! I kid, I kid. Always wanted to say that as this phrase is littered all over forums by 16 year olds.
Anyway,
1)I am astonished the WIFI problems are so rampant. Wow. Apple obviously did a poor job in QA on that. Hugely problematic as the iPad is all about internet connectivity. I am just floored. Heads will roll inside Apple.
2)The charging issues would prompt me to return the device. $500+ and the darn thing can't "charge" to a USB port in 2010? Even if Apple blames that some USB ports aren't compatible, that's still a lame excuse since USB 2.0 and powered USB ports have been around for over a decade. And then the need to be in Sleep mode? Sheeeez. Why doesn't Apple ship a giant flowchart diagram indicating how to charge it?!
I hope these 2 problems are fixed super duper ASAP. That last thing Apple needs is folks knowing that it can't connect to the internet and it doesn't charge as advertised! What's next? The speakers have no volume control?
-Eric
Epic Fail! I kid, I kid. Always wanted to say that as this phrase is littered all over forums by 16 year olds.
Anyway,
1)I am astonished the WIFI problems are so rampant. Wow. Apple obviously did a poor job in QA on that. Hugely problematic as the iPad is all about internet connectivity. I am just floored. Heads will roll inside Apple.
2)The charging issues would prompt me to return the device. $500+ and the darn thing can't "charge" to a USB port in 2010? Even if Apple blames that some USB ports aren't compatible, that's still a lame excuse since USB 2.0 and powered USB ports have been around for over a decade. And then the need to be in Sleep mode? Sheeeez. Why doesn't Apple ship a giant flowchart diagram indicating how to charge it?!
I hope these 2 problems are fixed super duper ASAP. That last thing Apple needs is folks knowing that it can't connect to the internet and it doesn't charge as advertised! What's next? The speakers have no volume control?
-Eric
Taking Forever To Charge
ok i havent had any wifi problems and in fact i think the internet is blazing fast almost as much as my macbook pro. i have tho had significant problems charging it has not been compatible with car chargers for the iphone and my computer also when it dose work it takes FOREVER to charge literally i can charge 5 % in an hour when it is just sitting there and can barley keep the power level increasing when i am using it wile charging. so i hope apple can fix this with a software update and let me know if you have had problems with the time it takes to charge your ipad oh and also my iphone dose the same thing when it is pluged into its charger that it came with and its like not charging and not compatible with this charger.
ok i havent had any wifi problems and in fact i think the internet is blazing fast almost as much as my macbook pro. i have tho had significant problems charging it has not been compatible with car chargers for the iphone and my computer also when it dose work it takes FOREVER to charge literally i can charge 5 % in an hour when it is just sitting there and can barley keep the power level increasing when i am using it wile charging. so i hope apple can fix this with a software update and let me know if you have had problems with the time it takes to charge your ipad oh and also my iphone dose the same thing when it is pluged into its charger that it came with and its like not charging and not compatible with this charger.
Best buy coverage; Wifi; Charging
Best buy coverage:
In my experience, it doesn't work out the way they pitch it to you. Back in 06, when I was still a PC (ha!), i bought a laptop and bought BB coverage. You have to take it in 3 times for the same issue, give the "geek squad" an opportunity to fix it 3 times, and on the 4th time you go in for the issue, they'll fix it. And at least back then, it didn't cover drop damage, etc. Maybe its different now? Better to get coverage under your home/rental insurance co which will sometimes cover electronics, imho.
Wifi:
No problems with reception at all - full bars (possibly better reception than I get w/ my iPhone 3GS around the house).
Charging issue:
I have no problem charging when its hooked directly to the computer. However, I hooked it initially to my USB hub (unpowered), and though it will charge, my iPhone dock (hooked to the same hub) stops charging - I get a "this device does not support charging" message until I unplug the iPad. I think I prolly will get a powered USB hub adn hopefully it'll resolve it (just so my desk looks nice w/ no wires protruding haha)
Best buy coverage:
In my experience, it doesn't work out the way they pitch it to you. Back in 06, when I was still a PC (ha!), i bought a laptop and bought BB coverage. You have to take it in 3 times for the same issue, give the "geek squad" an opportunity to fix it 3 times, and on the 4th time you go in for the issue, they'll fix it. And at least back then, it didn't cover drop damage, etc. Maybe its different now? Better to get coverage under your home/rental insurance co which will sometimes cover electronics, imho.
Wifi:
No problems with reception at all - full bars (possibly better reception than I get w/ my iPhone 3GS around the house).
Charging issue:
I have no problem charging when its hooked directly to the computer. However, I hooked it initially to my USB hub (unpowered), and though it will charge, my iPhone dock (hooked to the same hub) stops charging - I get a "this device does not support charging" message until I unplug the iPad. I think I prolly will get a powered USB hub adn hopefully it'll resolve it (just so my desk looks nice w/ no wires protruding haha)
I'm having no wifi issues thus far, but my battery life isn't as strong as it seems it should be based on what others are saying. I'll take it in for a stress test i suppose in a few days.
I've fried so many FW400 ports it isn't funny. Always with external hard drives. I'm so afraid of them I don't use them anymore, except for my old Panasonic DV camera. And even for that I power down everything before connecting or disconnecting.
weak wi-fi
I am getting about 1/2 Wi-Fi range on my iPad that I get with 2 1/2 year old Macbook Pro. This is same with either Airport Extreme or FIOS wireless router. Case does not seem to effect this. This is not good.
No surprise on the USB questions. The USB on my Macbook would not charge my Motorola Q phone when it was off either. They are shipping a 10 watt charger with this because the 1 or 2 watts from the USB will not work.
Love the way that the unit works when I am in range.
I am getting about 1/2 Wi-Fi range on my iPad that I get with 2 1/2 year old Macbook Pro. This is same with either Airport Extreme or FIOS wireless router. Case does not seem to effect this. This is not good.
No surprise on the USB questions. The USB on my Macbook would not charge my Motorola Q phone when it was off either. They are shipping a 10 watt charger with this because the 1 or 2 watts from the USB will not work.
Love the way that the unit works when I am in range.
I sense an obligatory firmware update coming soon. Hey, it's a new device, it would have been astonishing if there were not issues.
Well it's not like I would call my iTouch's wifi reception stellar....nor my previous iPhone 3G back when I had one.
Maybe the iPad's is worse....but really comparing the ipod touch or iphone in terms of reception...it's probably only marginally better.
Maybe the iPad's is worse....but really comparing the ipod touch or iphone in terms of reception...it's probably only marginally better.
at the store
atleast in our case the apple rep told us not to charge it from the computer and that old iphone/ipod chargers wouldn't work since it had the higher power draw.
atleast in our case the apple rep told us not to charge it from the computer and that old iphone/ipod chargers wouldn't work since it had the higher power draw.
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.
Well, the thing requires a damn host computer to run anyway - the least it can do is charge it!
If she brings it on Thursday, I'll try that. It's an inconvenience, if true, but a minor one. If it doesn't work, then I may have to rethink the iPad until it gets worked out.
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.
Personally, I am waiting for the 3G version. However, wifi is much faster. Let's hope this only needs a software fix.
I have had no problems like many others here. I've been taking mine all over with me. Syncs right up when I have a new router to connect to and hasn't dropped or faded a signal in my endless hours on safari.
I have charged it on both my macs as well as the HP tower I have to use at work. No problems I can see.
Seems like some anti IPad people on this forum wake up daily praying these things go to hell.
I have charged it on both my macs as well as the HP tower I have to use at work. No problems I can see.
Seems like some anti IPad people on this forum wake up daily praying these things go to hell.
Charge with your Adapter!
What is so earth shattering about that? Seriously, so many other devices don't support USB charging at all, I'm not sure what the big deal is.
Can anyone charge their netbook by plugging it into another computer's USB port? No. The majority of cameras also don't support USB charging.
And the devices that do charge via USB ports do so SLOWER than if connected to a wall adapter. iPhone 3GS is this way, so was my Sony Phone. And if you tried to use either of those devices while charging via USB, they would SAY they were/are charging, but would really just be holding their own.
What is so earth shattering about that? Seriously, so many other devices don't support USB charging at all, I'm not sure what the big deal is.
Can anyone charge their netbook by plugging it into another computer's USB port? No. The majority of cameras also don't support USB charging.
And the devices that do charge via USB ports do so SLOWER than if connected to a wall adapter. iPhone 3GS is this way, so was my Sony Phone. And if you tried to use either of those devices while charging via USB, they would SAY they were/are charging, but would really just be holding their own.
WIFI issues are fairly common with all Apple devices if you don't have an Apple router. Makes me wonder how much testing they really do. My MBP used to get horrible service until I bought an Apple router. My friends Touch gets horrible service on his Linksys router even while standing right next to it. I would blame the routers, but other devices work just fine.
Seems like if you own an Apple router then it's probably going to work close to 100% of the time. If you don't, then it's hit and miss depending on the router you're connecting too.
I cannot charge the iPad from the Apple keyboard – shows some kind of warning – but that is supposed to be a low power port only and thus that is pretty normal. The 2009 Mac Pro ports are fine.
The WiFi signal is fine here. I do however have to disconnect my wifes 3G for top speed [n] or else the up- download speeds are a lot slower, but this is just a firmware flaw in my dual-band D-Link router as I see the same thing with the 3GS.
In short. I am fine. Luckily.
The WiFi signal is fine here. I do however have to disconnect my wifes 3G for top speed [n] or else the up- download speeds are a lot slower, but this is just a firmware flaw in my dual-band D-Link router as I see the same thing with the 3GS.
In short. I am fine. Luckily.