Two Early iPad Problems: Weak Wi-Fi, Overheating

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Could the iPad be plagued with first-generation design woes?

A first generation product is rarely without flaws. While it may represent the most bleeding edge of a new technology, it often comes at the price of having several rough edges that are usually smoothed out in future iterations of that product.

Users of the iPad are reporting that the wireless signal reported by the tablet is weaker or less reliable than other products in the same vicinity. Several stories from the web, including those from TUAW, AppleInsider, and TechCrunch mention personal experience and other forum posts detailing Wi-Fi woes. One theory is that the aluminum back casing is blocking too much of the signal, or that it's a software issue.

Another problem cropped up through use from the masses is reports of overheating, forcing the iPad to lock up with a temperature warning. As mentioned in stories from MacNN and CNet, users from California, Texas and New York report that the iPad got warm enough that the screen displayed a warning icon along with the message, "iPad needs to cool down before you can use it."

One user put his iPad in the fridge for a short while to return the tablet back to the mood needed for operation. While we're not yet sure of what temperatures the iPads were used but, Apple lists operating temperatures of the iPad at 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C), which could easily be exceeded if exposed to sunlight for a length of time.

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Marcus Yam

Marcus Yam is a technology evangelist for Intel Corporation, the latest in a long line of tech-focused roles spanning a more than 20-year career in the industry. As Executive Editor, News on Tom's Guide and Tom's Hardware, Marcus was responsible for shaping the sites' news output, and he also spent a period as Editor of Outdoors & Sports at Digital Trends.

68 Comments Comment from the forums
  • afciscoguy
    95 Degree's?? WHAT??

    If you live anywhere warm, or, Lord forbid take your new iPad to the beach, have a good time with that :)

    Reply
  • doc70
    iBurn...
    Reply
  • Nexus52085
    "While it may represent the most bleeding edge of a new technology"
    .....Really? This thing is bleeding edge? Really? How can anyone seriously make this statement? It's a bigger, faster(better damn well be), iPod touch. End of story.
    Reply
  • lauxenburg
    that's what you get for not putting a heatsink on a 1ghz processor.
    Reply
  • ominous prime
    It's always best to let the masochists with too much money be the early adopters, then buy the second generation or later.
    Reply
  • doc70
    Nexus52085"While it may represent the most bleeding edge of a new technology".....Really? This thing is bleeding edge? Really? How can anyone seriously make this statement? It's a bigger, faster(better damn well be), iPod touch. End of story.They meant it literally, bleeding....
    Reply
  • amabhy
    Looks like the iCrap is overheating from all the hype.

    Useless piece of trash.
    Reply
  • orionantares
    First generation? I thought this was the 4th version of the iPod Touch they've released so far.
    Reply
  • Tindytim
    doc70They meant it literally, bleeding....I guess the Fermi is the only tech hot enough to actually cauterize wounds.
    Reply
  • seraphimcaduto
    launch day and people are already looking for problems, could we do this for every product for every manufacturer? I don't care either way but if you are going to look for every problem on a launch product, do so equally.
    Reply