03-20-2012, 11:20 AM

Infrared images show new iPad screen running warm

Remember when we said there were reports that the new iPad was running hot? Thanks to the folks at Tweakers.net, we now have some quantitative measurements to support these observations.

The Dutch website ran a GLBenchmark test on the new iPad and the iPad 2 and compared the infrared profiles of each device. According to their measurements, the hottest part of the new iPad reached 33.6 degrees Celsius (92.5 degrees Fahrenheit), while the iPad 2 ran at a cooler 23.8 degrees Celsius (74.8 degrees Fahrenheit). You can see the differences in the image above where the new iPad is on the left and the iPad 2 on the right.

The team at Tweakers attributed this difference to the quad-core GPU of the new iPad. When its being stressed by a benchmark test, the GPU will generate extra heat that'll raise the temperature of the device. Though high, the levels measured by Tweakers were still within the operating limits of the device which are 32 degrees to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees to 35 degrees Celsius).

Even if more reports corroborate these results, this excess heat issue won't be a problem for most people. If you game a lot and live in a warm climate, you might have to watch your usage, but most people don't stress their devices with heavy gaming. Under normal usage, the iPad might get slightly warm, but it shouldn't climb to the point where the device regularly shuts down.

[Via Engadget and MacRumors]

Infrared images show new iPad screen running warm originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.




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03-20-2012, 06:14 PM

I have felt my iPad 3 run warm under charging, but not in use yet.

The only retina-supporting game I have is Eternal Blade 2, so maybe the capabilities aren't being stretched?

03-20-2012, 07:19 PM

This whole "debate/story" is overblown idiocy. It's a electronic device. It's going to get warm. It has a more powerful processor plus a LTE chip. Of course it's going to be slightly warmer than the iPad 2.

DUH. Now shut up.

03-20-2012, 08:45 PM

By Consumer Reports bringing this issue up of it heating up, are they basically saying that they don't notice this phenomena on other devices? Because, if that is what they are implying, I know from first hand that it's FALSE! This thing is more powerful than some computers that you can STILL buy!!

03-21-2012, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by iggibar

By Consumer Reports bringing this issue up of it heating up, are they basically saying that they don't notice this phenomena on other devices? Because, if that is what they are implying, I know from first hand that it's FALSE! This thing is more powerful than some computers that you can STILL buy!!

Notebooks sit on desks. Tablets are almost always held in one hand or on a lap. Heat should be a larger concern for tablets. That said, I can't pass judgment on the new iPad's heating situation until I actually use one.

03-21-2012, 10:38 AM

92.5°F is not very warm/hot. Average human body temperature is 98.6°F.

So according to the infrared results above...the "New iPad" doesn't even exceed the average human body temp.

Of course 92.5°F is warmer than 74.8°F (the temp. of the iPad 2)...so this is what owners are noticing (17.7°F difference)

- Nick

03-21-2012, 02:02 PM

Should be a plus for our Canadian users - makes a nice hand warmer during those cold Winters up north.

03-21-2012, 02:29 PM

I have an old Pentium 4 dell laptop running XP and 1 gig of Ram. It gets warm.
I have a newer i3 core HP laptop with 4 gigs of ddr3 Ram running windows 8, it gets a lot warmer..
I think they are really looking for issues if they are complaining about a device that is faster, has more memory, a 4g LTE chip, a higher resolution screen and is only 5-10 degrees warmer….

03-22-2012, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by chscag

Should be a plus for our Canadian users - makes a nice hand warmer during those cold Winters up north.

I think you're right! Ever since the new iPad came out, it's been warm and sunny. People are already wearing shorts and t-shirts

03-24-2012, 01:31 PM

I have not noticed my 3rd gen iPad becoming 'hot'. I have also not used it for any graphics-intensive games/apps.

03-24-2012, 03:41 PM

I have felt demos at stores, they are warm just playing the ad video, not connected to the internet and no sound. My problem is the charging/battery issues people are having, unfortunately this heat thing was brought up first.

My worry really isn't how comfortable it is to me, but does all this extra heat effect reliability? I'm guessing it doesn't really matter to Apple because they know people are just going to buy whatever else comes out, but there are some who are just going to stick with what they buy.

03-24-2012, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by TabletRevlution

I have felt demos at stores, they are warm just playing the ad video, not connected to the internet and no sound. My problem is the charging/battery issues people are having, unfortunately this heat thing was brought up first.

My worry really isn't how comfortable it is to me, but does all this extra heat effect reliability? I'm guessing it doesn't really matter to Apple because they know people are just going to buy whatever else comes out, but there are some who are just going to stick with what they buy.

If the internal sensors determine the device is getting too hot it will shut down.

03-25-2012, 08:35 AM

Hopefully this can be resolved with updates. At least with a laptop you can put it down on a desk or something but with an ipad most of the time you are actually holding it.

03-25-2012, 11:12 AM

It dosent really get hot unless you are at 100% brightness.