The estimated reading time for this post is 2 minutes
Q. Is the New iPad hot? I read your review of the new iPad and I was thinking of getting one but I’ve been hearing that it’s hot and I don’t want to get it if it overheats.
A. I’ve been hearing this question a lot from Wonder of Tech readers. There have been reports that the device gets warm and that’s true. Consumer Reports has measured the New iPad warming up to 116°, which is 13° warmer than the iPad 2. Apple has addressed the issue by saying that the iPad operates “within our normal thermal specifications.”
I have been using my New iPad extensively, testing it for my review and using it in my daily life. I took additional pictures for my review in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer article, using Infinity Blade II, an app updated with Retina Display, on both my New iPad and my iPad 2. The app is large (791 MB) and powerful, with stunning graphics, making the most of the New iPad’s capabilities.
In nearly an hour of testing with the game, the iPad 2 was still preternaturally cool. The New iPad was warm, not hot, cooler than a towel fresh from the dryer.
What I Know
I know hot. Yes, I do. In June 2010, when my iPhone 3GS was a year old, I updated it to iOS 4, giving it the ability to multi-task (run more than app at once). My iPhone repeatedly got so hot that I would have to put it in the refrigerator to cool it off. Once I even put it in the freezer because the fridge just wasn’t doing the trick. The phrase “sending a boy on a man’s job” came to mind.
I took my iPhone 3GS to Apple’s Genius Bar and was told by a Genius, “Close Your Apps!” I followed his advice. Between keeping my apps closed and updating to iOS 4.1 when it was released, my iPhone’s overheating problem was solved.
My iPhone 3GS had a heat problem. My New iPad does not.
The Others
I am not the only tech reporter who regards the New iPad as warm but not hot. Consumer Reports tester Donna Tapellini wrote, “When it was at its hottest, it felt very warm but not especially uncomfortable if held for a brief period.”
Jim Dalrymple, of The Loop stated, “I have been using the new iPad for almost two weeks — a week before it was released to the public and I’ve seen no heat issues. I use my iPad everyday over LTE and Wi-Fi, holding it my hand and on my lap and the device doesn’t get hot.”
Bottom Line
If you’re thinking of buying the New iPad, don’t let the heat issue stop you. The only way the new iPad is too hot is with its sales.
Have you heard about the heat issue with the iPad? Were you concerned? Let us know in the Comments section below!
* iPad egg image (altered) by Robert Scoble (who says in the caption, “My new iPad gets so hot it cooks eggs! Just kidding. I have (no) idea what people are going on about.”)
Someday I want to get an iPad and the last thing I need is issues after investing so much money! Thanks Carolyn!!
Hi Betsy, You’re absolutely correct. Isn’t it comforting to know that the iPad doesn’t have these heating issues? 🙂
Heated post Carolyn 🙂
Loved the title and later realized that it surely was related to the heat issues of the new iPad, though I really wonder if people would really stop from purchasing it because of this reason. Likewise, sometimes there’s an issue about my laptop getting heated like a few of other people I know, but yet we keep it and operate them everyday 🙂
I guess those who are in love with the new iPad and want to buy it, will not really mind the slight increase in the heat and go right ahead and bear it up (or as the video said- put some ice on your hand!!)
Loved the image of the fried egg 🙂 It sure is HOT !!
Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend 🙂
Hi Harleena, The laptop battery getting warm is a great analogy. My laptop gets quite a bit warmer than my iPad. But people wouldn’t hesitate to buy a laptop because it gets warm.
I changed the egg image to put a red circle with a line through it on top of the egg. Some people were seeing the image, not reading the article, and getting the wrong impression about the iPad.
I just love that video! Lamarr is so funny. 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend, Harleena! 🙂
That’s a good move I think to put a red circle around with a line in-between- as initially I too got that thought, though it was later when I read the hole post did I realize what it meant.
Lamarr indeed is funny and keeps you glued right till the end 🙂
And yes, you are right about the laptop, and I still love using it the way it is 🙂
Thanks, Harleena. I didn’t mean to mislead anyone with the egg image, but I quickly realized that people might get the wrong idea about the iPad if I didn’t alter the image. Luckily, the image was permitted to be altered under Creative Commons so I could add the red circle. 🙂
Did you hear the best selling iPad cover? Its an icepack.
Lol, that’s a good one. 🙂
Did you hear about the web app that turns your iPad into a hot pad by running your iPad to the max, warming it up, and then displaying heat coils so you can rest a coffee mug on it? http://primarycoffee.com/hotpad/
Bad idea. :-O
I can definitely relate to the cell phone issue of getting too hot Carolyn. The one I had before this one would get really warm if I talked on it too long. Not burning hot but uncomfortable to continue holding to my ear. I wasn’t using a headset only because my Mom doesn’t seem to hear me that well when I wear it which is why I would hold it to talk.
Maybe to some people the touch is warmer then they care for so they are over exaggerating about the warmness of it. I know I wouldn’t want to hold one if that were the case but I’m sure this is just something else people want to find fault with the product.
Either way, I know you’re happy with it and haven’t found that to be the case. You I definitely trust so there!
Thanks Carolyn and have a great weekend.
~Adrienne
Thanks, Adrienne. If I were writing a blog way back when my iPhone 3GS got hot, I definitely would have written about it. And if my New iPad got hot, I would tell you.
I agree with you, Adrienne, I think people are trying to find fault with the New iPad. But overheating just isn’t a problem. [-(
WOW! Carolyn, your iPhone story is amazing. I would think that putting in the refrig or freezer would cause moisture to get in which you give you a different set of problems.
Given that the iPad is selling like hotcakes, it’s good that it’s only warm as opposed to HOT!
So glad I read you blog because I can be so knowledgeable when I talk to others and quote you. thanks for making me look good.
Best wishes for a terrific weekend, my friend. Aloha. Janet
Hi Janet, No, I didn’t have any problems with my iPhone after the overheating problem. I used that iPhone for another 16 months, until I got my iPhone 4S in October. If I had had problems with it, I would have turned it in for an iPhone 4 at some point, but I didn’t feel the desire to upgrade my phone until the 4S came out. I wasn’t under contract on AT&T so I could have gotten the iPhone 4 at a low price, but my 3GS was doing just fine.
Yes, I’m glad I don’t have to put my iPad in the refrigerator or freezer. When you’ have to leave home but can’t because your iPhone needs to cool off, well that’s not a lot of fun. 🙂
I saw your egg pic and thought maybe you were implying what my brain looks like on drugs….instead, it was a frying pan signifying ‘hotness’, huh?
Do you need my mailing address to send your old iPad to; oh wait, your kids want it. Doesn’t the Inquirer want me to test something? How about Grey Goose; that would be pretty cool.
It’s Friday, it’s late and obviously I got nuttin’. I’m replying when I can because I don’t know what next week is going to look like yet. I think it’s time to at least discuss some parameters with the wife so we will at least be on the same page.
Have a good one; talk to you soon.
Hi Bill, Lol, I don’t know what your brain looks like on drugs, but I do remember that commercial.
Yesterday I was at an event where they were giving away a free iPad. It was Girls Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology, teaching 6th-12th grade girls about careers in science, technology, engineering and math. You should have attended, Bill, to get a free iPad. The girl who won the prize seemed quite happy. 🙂
Hey Carolyn,
This is the first time I’ve heard about the issue. My iPad 2 is not even warm, and neither is my iPhone 3 GS. I’ve bought the iPhone 4S, but I can’t use it until April 2, because I’m switching to a new telecompany.
I’ll be deciding on the new iPad next week. I have to return the old, and I know that my kids will be very sad if I don’t buy a new one 🙂
Hi Jens, I’m glad you hadn’t heard about the issue because it’s not really an issue. I received so many questions from Wonder of Tech readers that I thought I should write an article on the subject just to put it to rest.
My advice to you on which iPad to get: Since you just got an iPhone 4S, the improved camera and the dictation feature on the New iPad won’t matter to you. The camera and Siri on the iPhone 4S are better than the camera and the dictation feature on the New iPad. You live in Europe, so the fast 4G/LTE data connection won’t work with your New iPad (you could still use 3G data though). So the only feature of the New iPad that would be a compelling reason for you to get a New iPad instead of the iPad 2 would be the improved screen for the updated apps. Take a look at the New iPad side-by-side with the iPad 2, looking at a Retina display app to see if the difference matters to you enough to spend the extra money on a New iPad.
Of course, if you want to get the “latest and greatest” tech, I get that. I’ve been there. 🙂
It’s going to be hard to decide. I need an iPad, I know that much… and it’s not just for myself, but my kids are using it all the time. I should probably buy two 🙂
Why not one for each of them, plus one for yourself, Jens? 😉
Well, it would have been the right thing to do, except that I don’t have a whole lot of money righ tnow 🙂
I was just kidding, Jens. There are solid reasons other than technology and finances not to give your kids each a new iPad. 🙂
Thanks for the important information, I’ve just ordered my new iPad but I got sceptic after reading that it could be hot. Now I am quiet again:)
Hi Julie, That’s great to hear. I’m so glad this article was helpful to you!
My wife and I use our iPad2 primarily to process credit cards via the Square for our brick and mortar business. We have been doing research on features of the new iPad and how it may better benefit/improve our business. Any specific apps and/or features that would benefit a small business? I am glad to have read this about the heat issue, that was one of my wife’s biggest hangups on the new release.
Hi Richard, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Square is an amazing tool for small business owners. I’ve purchased items where the seller used Square and was very impressed with how anyone, even the smallest merchant at a craft fair, can utilize Square to accept payment by credit card.
PayPal, a subsidiary of eBay, is rumored to be launching a service similar to Square in the near future.
Not a lot of apps have been launched/updated that use Retina display yet. It’s kind of like when HD TV’s were first sold and not a lot of programs were broadcast in HD. So the enhanced display on the New iPad probably isn’t enough reason to upgrade.
The New iPad also has faster Internet connection using 4G/LTE technology so if you’re in an area that can take advantage of those speeds, that may be a feature that’s a benefit to you.
The other two features, the improved camera and the dictation feature may also be of use to you.
If none of these features would be helpful to you, you can feel confident that there isn’t a compelling reason to upgrade from your iPad 2.
Thank you so much for the thorough reply. It’s funny you mention the PayPal service. I was just at Home Depot yesterday getting some gardening supplies and saw there was an option to pay with PayPal on the card processing unit. I’ll definitely keep my eye on that. Thanks again for the help with the iPad, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.
Hi Richard, That’s interesting, I hadn’t seen the PayPal option in a bricks and mortar store. I guess I need to shop more, lol!
You’re very welcome, I’m glad you found my reply helpful. You may also enjoy my post over at Adrienne Smith’s blog from last week, The Top 10 Sites to Promote Your Business.
Someday I will spend all my money on the latest gadgets and tell you what I feel is wrong with them! 😉
That would be very interesting, Hajra! 🙂
i have never felt the heat that the ipad lets off, is it bad? it seems that lots of these devices are over heating like the new blackberry curve was known to overheat, they are obviously overloading these devices which is not good.
Hi Andrew, The iPad doesn’t get hot, but it does get warm. The energy required to power all of those pixels is significantly more than with the iPad 2. I hope this article calms any fears people might have about the New iPad.
Glad to hear you don’t think it is too hot. Though I am still not sure which one I will get. If I get! lol Thanks for completing the information regarding the heat issues.
Hi Carolyn,
I think overheating CPU’s can be a problem. I get them on laptops, usually playing Farmville. I just tried to quote you as an expert on the Ipad on LinkedIn and found we’re not connected! I linked the answer to your blog instead.
My blog today is about camera setting amongst other things and is linked to another blog on a Zillion ideas. Buy one get one free!
Hi Mike, You’re right, laptops running Flash for a long time, such as with Farmville, can overheat. But the iPad doesn’t run Flash and doesn’t overheat. But people wouldn’t say they weren’t going to buy a laptop because of the heating issue with Flash.
Loved your pictures on your blog today. Thanks for sharing the link on LinkedIn!