iPad iPad Air cracks far too easily?

I've only seen drop tests that showed the screen cracking easily, but then again, that's a drop test. Did you get the Accidental Damage coverage? If so Apple will replace your iPad or screen after you pay the $50 deductible. If you didn't get the Accidental coverage just take it to the Apple store first and see if they swap one out for you. If they won't then either pony up the cash and have them fix it or search around the web for Air glass replacement.

 

Could you show us a pic?

 

It depends on the Genius your talking to at the time. Although walking into an Apple Store detailing about the iPad cracking on its own isn't sufficient.

 

I'd like to see a pic too of this crack.

 

I'd like to see a picture also, not implying the OP is lying but my iPads (I have almost a dozen between work and home) get a lot of use, are tossed around, used almost 6hrs a day and the only one that has anything wrong with the screen is the iPad 2 that was dropped directly on the corner.

I have an iPad 1, 2, 3, 4, mini and Air and used them since we received the 1st iPad1 per-order.
I just don't understand how the screen would crack without some sort of physical involvement.

 

I've had 2 out of a little over 400 iPad Airs arrive with a single hairline crack. I'm waiting on a shipping label from Apple right now on one. I could post a pic if it would 'help'.

 

My company has ordered around 80 iPad Airs and 80 Otterboxes (construction) over the past 2 months. No issues with any of them.

If I had to guess, I'd say you're holding it wrong
(sorry, couldn't resist!)

 

So glad you pasted this. I've had a similar experience with my Air. Always been in a case never dropped and I'm the only one who uses it. Couldn't believe it when I found it had cracked. I went on the web to find a cheap repair solution and stumbled across the threads on Apple's forums. Just waiting for some time to go to the apple store in Stratford and hopefully get a sympathetic genius!

 

It doesn't surprise me a bit if cracked on it's own without being dropped. The glass on the Air is very thin and doesn't take a lot of downward pressure to see it flex towards the middle of the screen.

 

Was the iPad exposed to extreme temperatures?

 

ipad 4 > ipad air.

now that they're both on display at the apple store, hold them side by side. the iPad 4 feels much much much more high end than the hollowy, plasticky feel of the air.
Plus, I argue the Black iPad 4 looks better than the black air.

 

Bendy has little to do with crack resistance.

Each new version of gorilla glass (1,2,3 being the current) gets thinner (and therefore more flexible) while maintaining the same crack resistance. Advances in glass manufacturing is a fascinating topic but the physics of glass is far from the "common sense" you'd expect.

Note that I'm not discrediting your claims of spontaneous cracking, given that glasses impact resistance is entirely the play of internal stresses with external stress. It's entirely possible that in the rapid cooling process there were units that developed micro cracks that (as all glass currently does) got exacerbated with everyday temperature fluctuations resulting in the eventual internal tension overwhelming the external tension, thus resulting in a crack.

Note that from a technical standpoint the glass in the air is superior, what I think we are seeing here is a result of manufacturing error and not that the glass is inferior.

Some fascinating insight as to the physics of gorilla glass: http://www.insidescience.org/content/what-stresses-gorilla-glass-makes-it-stronger/1009

 

I've been working in electronics since the 1970's and I have never seen glass on a piece of electronics just break itself, an outside force has to be present. I have seen LCD calculator displays go duff from air pressure (inside a plane) and I've cracked corning glassware when I put it in cold water from a hot stove.

I own an iPad Air and I'm careful not to bend it when travelling. My backpack has a pouch for it.

PS where's the pic?

 

Well that's your opinion and you're entitled to it however I was just at the Apple store an hour ago and spent plenty of time comparing the Air to the iPad 4 and nothing you said matches anything I saw.

The Air is definitely lighter in weight against the iPad 4 and that's a big plus. I also pressed against the screen on both and each of them flexed equally. I could easily see the liquid from LCD moving around as I pressed on each iPad. There was no plasticky or hollow feel in my experience when comparing the Air to the iPad 4. And with the type of pressure that "I" applied towards each one of them, if the Air cracked easily it certainly would've after I was finished with it.

In terms of appearance, well that's all subjective however I am not a fan of all that extra wasted space of a bezel on the iPad 4.

 

That's weird, I don't think I've ever noticed distortion in the liquid crystal on any of the iPads I've owned. However I've definitely noticed it on other really cheap, plastic screened tablets and laptops. Even pressing much harder than normal on my Air didn't cause any discolouration.

I totally agree with you about the feel of the Air though, the much lighter weight more than compensates for any slightly less solid feel.

 

I was pressing with my index finger uncomfortably hard on my iPad Air with no distortion or flexing, it simply left a more noticeable amount of smudging on the glass.

 

So...you're basically saying the thinner and lighter iPad Air is too thin and light? What will Apple do next!?!?

 

no thats not what I'm saying at all. i said the iPad air feels hollow and plasticky. it doesn't feel high end. comparable to how much more solid the iPhone 4 felt compared to the flimsier feeling iPhone 3GS.

 

I understand what your saying I was responding tongue in cheek, but I completely disagree. The air doesn't feel hollow or plasticy at all. Are you confusing it with a Samsing tab?

 

WHY!!! Make it thinner and lighter of course. It's all Ive knows how to do these days.

Form over function!!

 

I think Richard Pryor tried that line

I think Richard Pryor tried that line.

It might work for you