Serious Heating Problem With New Apple iPad Confirmed

The new iPad has a serious heating problem with the device reaching 45 degrees centigrade (113 degrees Fahrenheit) during recent tests conducted by the US Consumer Report.The organisation that test products similar to Choice in Australia used a thermal imaging camera to prove that the device is running hotter than the iPad 2.

The independent, non-profit Consumer Report organisation took the measurement after playing Infinity Blade II for 45 minutes while the device was plugged in.

They conducted the tests following numerous complaints from new owners who said that the device was getting “very hot” while doing processor-intensive tasks, such as gaming or downloads.

A test by SmartHouse revealed that the device we purchased from a JB Hi Fi store got a lot hotter than previous models.

A JB Hi Fi sales executive said that several consumers had complained about the heat. “Even the ones we have on display are getting hot” he said.

CR said that they ran their 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 fahrenheit. (Apple recommends not using the iPad in environments over 95 degrees fahrenheit.)

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.

Earlier on Tuesday Apple released a statement in response to widespread complaints that tablets were running hot, with one website reaching a low-by-comparison temperature of 92.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cupertino says the new iPad operates “well within our thermal specifications,” which officially range from 32 to 95 degrees.