Andre Yoskowitz
21 Mar 2012 21:14
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.