Poor wifi reception on new iPad

I am in a hotel with my laptop and new ipad3. The laptop wifi reception is as strong as it gets, but the iPad only registers a weak signal. Anyone else having similar problems? Any suggestions?

iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi, iOS 5.1

Posted on Mar 17, 2012 7:33 PM

Reply
1,477 replies

Mar 25, 2012 11:40 AM in response to AppleFarmerOne

I find it surprising that people are comparing their MacBook Pro WiFi speeds to that of their iPads and iPhones. From what I've observed MacBook Pro is capable of much higher speeds than either the iPhone 4S or the iPad. My MacBook Pro has 50 download and 15 upload... on the other hand, both my iPad 3 and my iPhone 4S average about 22 download and 15 upload speeds... sometimes higher and sometimes lower. The app available for mobile devices from speed test.net is not even capable of going above 25 MBS, so it's not capable of even measuring against a MBP?... just trying to see through the confusion here. I received my iPad 3 on March 20 and so far so good.

Mar 25, 2012 11:54 AM in response to stlsteve

I've tested my second iPad a little more and found that I also can replicate the death grip on the iPad, loosing my conection while lying in bed and having the iPad over my chest.


This definitely isn't a SW problem, it's clearly HW related. Everyone should start considering replacing their faulty units.


I'd like to add that my iPad is 16Gb Wi-Fi


Message was edited by: danielg88

Mar 25, 2012 11:52 AM in response to HeathClif

I don't know how wide spread this problem is. I came across this thread but as I posted earlier, I've had no problems with my iPad 3. Spent last week in a hotel, Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, and of course my home network. Did some testing after reading this thread and can't replicate any of these problems. So if it is hardware, it's not across the model. That is most likely why some Apple stores are not aware of it.

Mar 25, 2012 12:45 PM in response to nick101

I think you should, so maybe all these people would slow down a bit. I have a new ipad and my wife has an ipad 2. Our wifi receptions are the same.

My Galaxy Tab although does not get as many bars as the ipads. But then, who cares if you have 3 or 4 bars. C'mon, you are connected to the Internet, right?


People are too picky. I want to see serial numbers on posts verified by Apple before I believe half of all these posts.

Mar 25, 2012 1:15 PM in response to Alaska99801

@Alaska99801 It always surprises me when people are so pointlessly rude and mean. What purpose does it serve for you to be so disrespectful and judgmental? Why would you challenge the number of people, me included, who have had difficulties with their iPads? What basis do you have for ascertaining that the hundreds of iPads reported are problematic - because yours works?


I'm guessing that this is way you are in your life, to your family, friends, workers - and it ain't pretty. Grow some empathy, heart, and a bit of trust, man.

Mar 25, 2012 1:33 PM in response to HeathClif

Oh man, I am a teddy bear with people that are reasonable, make sense, and ask the right questions.


But for people that complains that something is not exactly as the old stuff, I have not time for. Here, let me give you a better example.

Have you ever worked with someone that came from a different company, and everytime you have a neeting, this person brings out that that was not the way we did it in company x,y,z?


What do you do with him? Let him ramble on, or you tell him, listen buddy you are not at x,y,z anymore, you are at a,b,c, so if you don't like it, move on.


Or you are too shy and timid to tell them how you feel? Sorry for you. Maybe you need to man up and express your true feelings. There is nothing wrong with that.


By the way, you do know that most people treat strangers better, more civil and with more courtesy than their own family? Not me buddy, I let you guys have it, in person, and here. But come home as sweet as candy! LOL. Learn my friend, man up!

Mar 25, 2012 1:37 PM in response to stlsteve

I was the original poster on this thread. I am now back in St. Louis (STLSTEVE).


I have owned Mac desktops and laptops continuously since 1988. I have supervised groups of people using Macs. I have owned 5-10 iPods and 2 iPhones. I have an extensive technical background.


There is no question that the wifi reception on my new iPad doesn't come close to that of my Macbook Pro or my iPhone. Near a router they are all have same reception, but the iPad reception drops off at an unacceptable rate. I was staying at a hotel in Hawaii and the Macbook showed all the bars all over our room while the iPad with only picked up the internet in certain areas of our room.


The iPad is going back to Best Buy.

Mar 25, 2012 2:00 PM in response to waterlines

Of course you do!!!


But the bottom line is that the answers have already been provided in all the messages above. Read them all instead of posting the same thing over and over again. Don't you think that is lazy?

Do you know what the forums are for?


Technical questions, call Apple. You get a year warranty. Do your due diligence, do not expect someone else to do that for you.


Have a great Sunday!!! LOL.


PS: Sarcasm is good...like the taxi driver in Seifeld: Revenge is very good!!!

Mar 25, 2012 2:10 PM in response to waterlines

There are always bullies and trolls in these types of fthreads who need to make up for deficiencies in other areas of their lives or who apparently have nothing else to do.


However, if his handle is any indication of where he actually lives, I totally get it. I don't doubt that he has nothing else to do.


Perhaps he can see Russia from his house...

Mar 25, 2012 2:18 PM in response to Flea.

Posting in this thread will not inform Apple of anything. If you want to get a message to Apple contact Apple support and/or leave feedback at http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html


This is a user-to-user technical help forum. If your iPad is having WiFi connection problems on multiple networks it quite likely has a hardware problem which can only be fixed by replacement. No one here can solve your problem.

Mar 25, 2012 2:31 PM in response to JimHdk

@jimhdk This is the thread the media has links to in there articles, just google "new iPad wifi problem" and you will see links to this thread on the articles you find (that's how I got here), btw I do agree that people should also contact apple or take the iPad back to an apple store (I'm taking it back as soon as I have time).

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Poor wifi reception on new iPad

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.