AfterDawn: Tech news

The new iPad is on fire, literally

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Mar 2012 9:14 User comments (14)

The new iPad is on fire, literally Consumer Reports has reported today that the new iPad runs a lot hotter than its predecessor, the iPad 2.
While playing games, the new iPad runs 13 degrees hotter than the iPad 2 playing the same game.

The firm used a thermal imaging camera to record temperatures, and the new iPad got as shockingly high as 116 degrees while playing "Infinity Blade II." Consumer Report's article follows numerous complaints around the Web of the iPad overheating when playing games, streaming movies or during heavy downloads.

Says Consumer Reports: "We ran our test while the new iPad was propped on the iPad Smart Cover, plugged in, and after it had run Infinity Blade II uninterrupted for about 45 minutes. The device's 4G connection was not turned on, though its Wi-fi link was. The ambient room temperature was about 72 degrees. (Apple recommends not using the iPad in environments over 95 degrees.)



We also ran the test with the new iPad unplugged. Then we compared the temperature of the new iPad to that of the iPad 2 using the same tests.

When unplugged, the back of the new iPad reached temperatures as high as 113 degrees Fahrenheit. It was only when plugged in that it hit 116 degrees. The hottest areas weren't evenly distributed throughout the iPad's back, but were concentrated near one corner of the display as shown in the images taken from the rear of the device above.

So, when plugged in, the back of the new iPad became as much as 12 degrees hotter than the iPad 2 did in the same tests; while unplugged the difference was 13 degrees."


Perhaps more importantly, the authors of the report say it was "uncomfortable" and "hurt" to hold the iPad at the highest heat.

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14 user comments

121.3.2012 21:32

SOOOOO WHAT...........

222.3.2012 01:01

Aww that's a shame... Too bad Apple won't fix it until the next iPad release.

322.3.2012 03:08

So where's the "fire, literally" part???

422.3.2012 04:11

Youre holding it wrong!

522.3.2012 10:59

i vaguely remember a story about a guy that wanted to sue the manufacture of his laptop because it got too hot. apparently he burned his, umm, cough, man part. can't remember the outcome...

622.3.2012 13:34

That's fine with me, my Ipad 1 still works great, no new battery or anything, I'm gonna just keep waiting till they release an Ipad with a new feature that makes it essential to upgrade :)

722.3.2012 14:06

This is nothing. Why spread F.U.D.?

Some Android devices get to 140, and even some laptops can top 170. There's a whole lot more going on under the hood of an iPad v3 vs and iPad 2. There is going to be a little more heat. 16 degrees is not a lot in the realm of computer circuits. So this is just another attempt to sling mud.

Consumer Reports has it out against Apple, for whatever reason. Still Apple tops Pew Reports, Consumer Reports can't recommend another product over the Apple iPad.

So it's basically an attempt to hit whore ratings to keep them in the lime light. Bad attention is better than no attention.

822.3.2012 17:25
joe6
Unverified new user

i vaguely remember a story about a guy that wanted to sue the manufacture of his laptop because it got too hot. apparently he burned his, umm, cough, man part. can't remember the outcome...


The outcome was, they now call laptops Notebooks.

922.3.2012 21:21

Originally posted by dcmorrow:
This is nothing. Why spread F.U.D.?

Some Android devices get to 140, and even some laptops can top 170. There's a whole lot more going on under the hood of an iPad v3 vs and iPad 2. There is going to be a little more heat. 16 degrees is not a lot in the realm of computer circuits. So this is just another attempt to sling mud.

Consumer Reports has it out against Apple, for whatever reason. Still Apple tops Pew Reports, Consumer Reports can't recommend another product over the Apple iPad.

So it's basically an attempt to hit whore ratings to keep them in the lime light. Bad attention is better than no attention.
Where did you see that? My laptop runs uncomfortably hot, but tops out around 39C, according to monitoring programs...my desktop runs much hotter, but that doesn't sit in my lap.

And where did you get that android figure. My Razr doesn't even approach 110F. The reason the iPad is running so hot is because nothing was "improved"...they just made it's parts bigger.

If an Android device, or any laptop reached those temperatures, I'm sure they received a hell of a lot of complaints..as they should. Apple is entitled to have their products critiqued as well, you know.
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 22 Mar 2012 @ 9:23

1023.3.2012 04:44

Some trying to duplicate these results weren't able to get it to go past around 105°F and others testing 'regular' usage of high CPU usage apps/games rarely found it going above 93-95°F. Whatever the case, it seems like another purposely exaggerated 'problem' (for a few), which someone at Afterdawn seems more than happy to jump on the bandwagon for.

BTW, no, I wouldn't buy one (or any tablet).

1123.3.2012 15:26

FYI, Consumer Reports has recommended the IPAD before; so, they are not biased for or against. Frankly, they do not care what you buy; it is only important that you have all the info to make a purchase. They purchase their own products so that they can test fairly and without bias. I subscribe to them and have for a very long time and due to them, finally purchased the IPAD 2. It came highly recommended but not a best buy due to its high price. The fact that the IPAD 3 or New IPAD is running hot where the graphicss card is should come as no surprise. Most High end graphics cards come with a fan built in. This story has been reported for days already by many different sources. I cannot tell you firsthand cause I chose to skip the IPAD 3 - not a big upgrade from the 2. Frankly, I am waiting for "the one tablet to rule them all", whatever that maybe. I have my own specs in mind and probaly will not purchase anything else til something comes up with the perfect specs. I am blessed to have ample $ to buy what I want; I am old too - not much of a trade-off. I have 3 tablets now - combined they would be almost perfect. Maybe I will buuild my own.

1224.3.2012 20:06

Originally posted by dcmorrow:
This is nothing. Why spread F.U.D.?

Some Android devices get to 140, and even some laptops can top 170. There's a whole lot more going on under the hood of an iPad v3 vs and iPad 2. There is going to be a little more heat. 16 degrees is not a lot in the realm of computer circuits. So this is just another attempt to sling mud.

Consumer Reports has it out against Apple, for whatever reason. Still Apple tops Pew Reports, Consumer Reports can't recommend another product over the Apple iPad.

So it's basically an attempt to hit whore ratings to keep them in the lime light. Bad attention is better than no attention.
I would love to see some proof of this Android tablet that is somehow reaching 140 degrees. Have you ever touched something that is 116 degrees, let alone 140??

1324.3.2012 20:16

Maybe the new ipuke was designed to keep the Steven Jobs minions warm at night while they wait in line to keep them warm.
How thoughtful of Apple.

Jeff

1424.3.2012 22:09

I guess I should buy one and use it for a food warmer.Good to heat up my burritos.
It would come in handy in the kitchen also.Something to add to my collection of gadgets,like my new cellphone.

http://youtu.be/v0FVm_H_D18

http://youtu.be/BzQ7hE-ElFg

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