Its official, some new iPads have problems

[rjreynolds]

It has now been determined that some of the new iPads will not do as well with wifi connections as the iPad 2..

I am using my new iPad with a linksys "G" router and I am impressed at the distance that I have been able to maintain a connection with. Granted I live on the third floor, I was able to maintain a connection and stream videos from you tube at 500 ft. I have not tried it with an "N" router yet. Is the wifi problem specific to "N" connections? Are the other defects you speak off specific to a certain models, or have there been problems reported across all models?

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[Lyndon23]

It has now been determined that some of the new iPads will not do as well with wifi connections as the iPad 2. There is a probability that this will be resolved with a software update like they did with the iPad 2. Worse case scenario is that there is a bad batch of iPads and they will be happily replaced by Apple, repaired, and resold as refurbished.

A recap of the issues to date:

Like any introduction, there are reports of light leaks. Most light leaks are small and unnoticed unless the owner goes looking for them. The only solution is to get a replacement.

It gets hot: Bigger, more power hungry battery and demands of the new setup. Especially while charging. Do not run the screen on maximum resolution and don't worry about it. It is well within normal tolerances.

The battery:
1. Runs down quickly. If the screen is on maximum brightness, it will reduce battery life to only 5 hours more or less of continuous video streaming. Run the brightness at 50% or less and get twice the duration.
2. Takes forever to charge. To handle the demand of the new screen, it has almost twice the battery power as the iPad 2, but is still using a 10W charger. It will take 7 hours instead of 4 hours of the iPad 2 to fully charge.

4G:
Besides the usually difficulties with getting accounts activated, people are finding that they can go through data plans in no time. One guy managed to go through his 5Gb allotment in less than a day. AT&T is trying to work a deal where app makers will be charged for data used by their apps. For example ABC player may be able to add advertising to pay for the service. This will not be a quck fix.

Almost all the issues are a matter of perception, or will be resolved very shortly. Once people get a better idea of what to expect and how to deal with it, this chaos should die down. We might try consolidating all the worries/complaints about the new iPad to here so it is not scattered all over.

Just for completeness, we may as well add the 'Dead Pixel' screen defect to your summary of issues. There have been a whole batch of reports on this and various other forums. I admit this is not a new problem as far as LCD devices go, but it's definately one that has caused some concern for a few of the 'new' iPad owners. I'm currently awaiting a replacement for my 64gb LTE Black which I got on launch day (3 dead pixels). I've just received a shipping date of 2nd April for my replacement, so we'll see how that goes.

[augustya]

Just for completeness, we may as well add the 'Dead Pixel' screen defect to your summary of issues. There have been a whole batch of reports on this and various other forums. I admit this is not a new problem as far as LCD devices go, but it's definately one that has caused some concern for a few of the 'new' iPad owners. I'm currently awaiting a replacement for my 64gb LTE Black which I got on launch day (3 dead pixels). I've just received a shipping date of 2nd April for my replacement, so we'll see how that goes.

I havent seen or know how a dead pixel on a screen looks !! Can you please post the picture of the dead pixel on your screen.

[AQ_OC]

The reports are usually people who notice that their new iPad does not get as much signal strength as other devices. Sometimes it is very noticeable, sometimes not. If your iPad does not show good wifi reception where an old iPad had good signal, you might want to investigate. It seems like these problems are software related. If so, there will be a fix out when they find the cause of the problem. If it is some bad wifi chips, Apple has the best return policy you could want.

As far as I can tell, and I have been testing and looking for any and every type of problem, my iPad is free of defects, though I suspect there are some iOS 5.1 bugs lurking, but that is nothing new either. I have the 64gb LTE Verizon model.

[AQ_OC]

I havent seen or know how a dead pixel on a screen looks !! Can you please post the picture of the dead pixel on your screen.

Yes, it would be help to see a pic of a screen with dead pixels. I actually have never seen one and I have many screens.

[Mystro]

Wow, I guess on the plus side is that if you don't have a defective new iPad, your new iPad will out preform the iPad2's wifi signal. I have tested both my iPad2 and new iPad and the wifi is a bit stronger on the new iPad. I also don't have any screen bleeding like on my iPad2.

[augustya]

Apple has so far has not accepted any manufacturing defects no official statement on the defects except the overheating one. Nothing on Backlight Bleeding issue that would worry me more than the overheating problem.

[SarahDeckerIpad3]

I purchased 3 gen. Ipad from Walmart and everything works beautifully! Bought the At&t wifi, 4g, 64G, leaving behind the ipad 1 (which my husband gets). No backlighting issues, does not get warm and no bad pixels. I am averaging 10 hours of battery life. Awesome! This ipad may be thicker than the ipad 2, but coming from the ipad 1, it is much thinner! Good luck to those who are having issues.

[Twism86]

My iPad 2 takes wayyyy more than 4 hours to fully charge, closer to 8.

[steftymo]

I've never understood the light leak problem. Surely it is only noticeable if you have a very bright screen and are sitting in a very dark room and even then you would have to be looking at a black screen.