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IPAD Overheating!

The Ipad is a great device with at least one major flaw - it is simply too sensitive to heat. My ipad has shut itself down due to overheating - once while using it for 10 min in the 65 degree sunny spring weather in Boston and the other time without even using it (it was simply sitting in the sun, not even 60 degrees here). We are not talking about extreme heat situations, just a nice sunny day. For some reason, this thing seems to bake. The last time this happened, the case was even closed and the device was OFF! This is in Boston in April! This is going to be a huge problem for Apple once the summer approaches and makes the device all but unusable outside at almost any time you'd want to be outside. For a device that touts itself as an e-reader, this is truly unacceptable.

Unfortunately, I doubt this is addressable in software. A reflective case may help when it's off. In any case, they might as well remove the summer reading selections from the ibooks store since this device will be unusable at the beach or pool for sure!!!

IPAD, iPhone OS 3.1.3, none

Posted on Apr 11, 2010 10:32 AM

52 replies

carl wolf

Level 6

14,631 points

Apr 21, 2010 10:59 PM in response to sdsolomon@earthlink.net

There are a number of IPads that have shut down due to heat. Apple is working on a solution. It is up to you to keep your current iPad, or not.

Epfarq

Level 1

0 points

Apr 26, 2010 12:59 PM in response to sdsolomon@earthlink.net

I'm having the same problem with my iPad. Apple needs to address this problem or this thing is useless as an outdoor portable device.

josemari

Level 1

110 points

Apr 26, 2010 4:50 PM in response to Epfarq

My iPad has no heat problems. The back is simply at room temperature.

Gaffa

Level 1

27 points

Apr 26, 2010 5:24 PM in response to josemari

Keep in mind, direct Sun will jack up the temperature of any object. The only reason you don't fry as well is because nature gave you a cooling system. Sit outside with a thermometer next to your iPad. I suspect that if it is overheating, the thermometer will show the temp is above Apple's specs. Or sit in some shade and be happy. 🙂

Apr 26, 2010 8:35 PM in response to OrangeMarlin

Speaking of 1st grade statistics, 7,500 out of 750,000 is 1%; 0.01% would be 750.

Apr 27, 2010 2:08 PM in response to OrangeMarlin

I love the people who claim that, because only "so few" people complain about a problem on these forums, then the problem is not a "problem" or is statistically insignificant.

Ever think that a HUGE number of iPad owners do NOT post on this site or even KNOW this site even exists??

Apr 27, 2010 2:45 PM in response to mad-dog-one

Uhhh, yeah. Try 75, not 750. Speaking of 1st grade statistics. 😉

May 14, 2010 1:20 PM in response to sdsolomon@earthlink.net

Same issue here. IPAd overheats in moderate temp-receive error message and must wait to cool down. Does anyone have an idea of what temp must be reached before this occurs? Living in palm springs area renders my iPad virtually worthless outside!

May 15, 2010 12:28 PM in response to sdsolomon@earthlink.net

I am in Louisiana, temps in the upper 80's sat outside for a solid hour trying to get it to shut down, I was unable to get it to shut down. Honestly how many people are REALLY going to use these things sitting outside in direct sunlight considering the display isn't very good for doing so.

I think for most this is much to do about nothing! Though I can clearly see that some will have an issue because they will try to use it where it was not designed to be used.

equiton

Level 1

9 points

May 16, 2010 3:27 AM in response to OrangeMarlin

If we assume 6 Sigma QA, then we can expect 99.99966% production success which means of 1 million units sold, less 1 will have a fault... Even Four sigma would mean 6,210 DPMO, less than 7500...

David.

Level 4

2,145 points

May 16, 2010 2:43 PM in response to Sirius Mac

It's a shame apple didn't use the type of screen that's easy to view in direct sunlight, like my Blackberry Storm2's screen. Every time someone brags about the screen on the Droid phone I have to wonder if they've ever owned/used a BB phone outside--they are so much brighter and viewable in direct sunlight than any other device I've owned or viewed. Maybe someday, manufacturers will give folks screens that are readable in all ambient light conditions. Kindle is no good in the dark or dim light, and the iPad isn't too great in direct sunlight. Not because the technology isn't there--but only because of the choices the mfgr made...

onelatte

Level 1

0 points

May 16, 2010 5:04 PM in response to carl wolf

Had first instance of problem today. Direct sunlight less than five minutes and 72 Fahrenheit. Called apple and they asked a few basic questions like does the back feel hot and had you just charged. In both cases answer was no. They said shouldn't happen and are replacing with new one. A bit of a hassle as the local apple store has no 3G stock so I have to mail back and be without for a few days but can't complain about the responsive service. Hopefully it won't happen again but I think I'll just keep the new one inside

May 19, 2010 5:42 PM in response to sdsolomon@earthlink.net

A Spring day in Paris. Typing via the Bluetooth keyboard with the Wifi off today and got the dreaded over heat. Was outside at a café table half in the shade half not. I gradually had eked the iPad into the light. 20 minutes in I was in the middle of writing when the shutdown hit. The unit was really cooking. I took it into the shade and turned it face down. The silver casing was extremely hot, especially at the top near the processor. I'm very glad it turned itself off. No damage to data or screen. Turned back on in a few minutes and worked fine in the shade. Lesson learned, dark and metallic objects don't like the sun. I would say even if you could get past the glare that the beach was a no go. Let's face it a book is a safer bet either way n

CGell

Level 1

4 points

Jun 2, 2010 9:11 AM in response to sdsolomon@earthlink.net

Thankfully this has not been an issue for me yet. The device stays cool even during prolonged use playing games or surfing the web. This still worries me though. I wonder if they can change the temp. tolerance level when they release the new firmware. I know they can't raise the temp. too much, but maybe a few degrees more won't hurt the hardware.

David.

Level 4

2,145 points

Jun 2, 2010 2:03 PM in response to CGell

I once had a glucose meter that had such a ridiculously narrow operating range, that it wouldn't even work in the middle of the night, in my home, in winter. Nor would it work outside in the summer. Thankfully, the manufacturer got their heads out of their posteriors and made the next model meter with a far greater operating temp range and now I never get the dreaded error message, just when I NEED to take a glucose reading. Sometimes, mfgrs can be SO STUPID!

IPAD Overheating!