The new iPad's screen could be the source of overheating complaints, according to experts. Excess heat isn't the only problem with the Apple tablet either, as some iPadders have reported issues with its Wi-Fi signal.
Some new owners are concerned about weak Wi-Fi signals, although reports vary as to the causes and circumstances. Other customers have complained their new iPad gets warmer than is healthy while they're using it, and Raymond Soneira, boss of DisplayMate Technologies, reckons it's the backlit screen that's to blame.
Soneira reckons there are four reasons for the new iPad's toastiness. Firstly, it packs twice the LEDs as its predecessor, which means more heat is being emitted from them overall.
"The LED power at maximum brightness is 2.5 times that of the iPad 2," Soneira told CNET. "They had to jack up the number of LEDs so the peak brightness is the same as on the iPad 2. That absolutely makes it warmer."
We'd stop short of describing this as overheating, however. 'Warmer' and 'overheating' don't necessarily mean the same thing, although we're still looking into the issue.
Secondly, the brightness efficiency is lower because the new iPad has more pixels, which means more transistors, which take up more space, meaning less opportunity for light to pass. "They basically have to blast light through the LCD to make it come out," Soneira said, adding, "I measured the LED power at maximum brightness -- it's two and a half times greater than on the iPad 2."
Thirdly, the battery generates more juice, making it heat up more. Finally, extra warmth could be due to the traditional amorphous silicon screen technology that was used instead of Sharp's power-efficient IGZO technology, which wasn't ready for the new iPad.
Apple denies the overheating reports, stating that the new tablet operates "well within our thermal specifications". The issue hasn't stopped Apple shifting a whopping 3 million iPads in three days. Press play on our video to see what all the fuss is about.
Does the new iPad have problems, or are some people just complaining about nothing? Have you had any issues with your iPad, either with heat or Wi-Fi? Get heated in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 8
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Tboneuk 22 March, 2012 10:32
The new iPad does get pretty hot but only if you are playing things that require a lot of graphics horsepower. (I own the white iPad 64GB 4G model)
Simple things like browsing the web, playing music and writing emails do not cause my iPad to heat up.
However, if I start to play games like infinity blade or real racing 2 HD then the back of the iPad does get really warm.
As for the wifi problems, I have seen no difference with my wifi or Internet (virgin media super hub 60MB) or with the wireless range.
It's certainly nothing for people to get worked up about. Just poor people hating on apple as they can't afford their products so they try to slag them off.
anonymous 22 March, 2012 10:50
@TboneUK your comment was good until you became biased, How can as you put 'poor people' complain when they DO own the product? I typically see these comments that are genuinely good, and then suddenly they start blaming people who can't afford them. People who can't afford products will complain about the price not how it works, common sense. If you don't understand what I mean, I complain about the functionality of my iPod Touch 2G, however I complain about the price of a 4G device because they aren't reachable for a common income.
I guess the reason Apple seems to push this under the carpet is because this problem will be difficult to get around without redesigning the product. I cannot blame them for that, although I don't really think my opinion of Apple can get any lower from their actions recently.
anonymous 22 March, 2012 10:52
Well with millions sold already, and given the battery upgrade and screen upgrade, very few complaints so far I reakon. There are bound to be some bad apples....excuse the pun, but very few considering the numbers involved so far....! First apple iPad for me and very pleased so far. I'm sure if it was a new pc, it would have crashed, or failed to instal something by now.....!
anonymous 23 March, 2012 17:46
I think the fact that it's sold 3million units is a bit of a non-issue here since the vast majority of those will be pre-orders and those who lined up (sad people) on the release day and thus bought it before any reviews or faults were discovered/advertised. it's more telling to see sales after the issues are highlighted (though I doubt BBC will cover anything that paints apple in a bad light like the news that ad-supported apps kill your battery on android but didn't mention any testing on iOS which does the same). The reason most won't complain is two fold I think, 1) most people who buy ipad (or any tablet) will likely barely use it, maybe read a few papers, browse the web but not really get into the "ecosystem". 2) those people who buy it are usually apple fans, own previous products and see that apple can do no wrong and will put up with these issues no matter what mostly because they see apple as the cool brand. It's not anymore, it's a greedy company that treat's workers like crap and goes for huge margins and makes decent (not magical or amazing) products, but people are still hung up on the mac vs PC thing, PC won that made apple cool and niche, it's not cool and niche in phones and tablets, sorry, it's just not in my oppinion. And as for the first comment, I can afford apple stuff and anything else for that matter I choose not to buy Apple both because I dont like the company and beause their products lack fudamental things I want in my tech.
Wilson Chia 26 March, 2012 08:55
I too, am using the white 64GB + 4G model. It seems that after prolong usage running games, one corner of it gets warmer than the rest. And for some touch-sensitive apps/games, the touchscreen also seems to behave erratically. When I do a drag, it may randomly do a tap action. And when I do a tap, it may zoom in or out. I guess it's because the touchscreen relies on the minute heat from our fingertips to register a touch. So the 'overheating' of the screen messes up all our touch on the screen.
anonymous 26 March, 2012 23:29
Mine works fine.
anonymous 1 April, 2012 00:59
Wilson Chia, the touch screen relies on the electrical impulses in one's fingers, not the heat. I have an iPad, and know several other people that have them, but I have never heard of that issue. If I were you, I would go to an Apple Genius Bar, as that sounds like a fault with that particular devise, when they make millions of devises, there will always be one or two that are faulty, if they can't fix it, they will simple give you a new one.
anonymous 10 June, 2012 20:02
I was very happy when I got my hands on the new iPad. I didn't notice this at first, but when I took the tablet into my backyard, and my iPhone was able to pick up my router signal without a hassle; the iPad didn't pick up the network at all. This became a nightmare for me. I have spent a lot of time on google, looking for a solution to this. I did a bunch of research came across WIRED magazine and found a extensive and detailed review of Pong Research cases. These guys make a very special case which has a built-in antenna in between its layers, which redirects and boost the signal and range of your new iPad, iPhone and other devices. This solved my new iPad 3 poor wifi range and now as a result, I'm able to connect to my router from further distance without a problem at all.