iPad iPad hear controversy-masahble article

[Talldog]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

By the way, since I don't play games on my iPad, any suggestions for free processor intensive demos or benchmarks? Would like to test how hot it gets, particularly since I'm sure the case I use acts as insulator.

I'd like to test it also if someone knows of a free app. I don't want to pay for a game that I'll never use again.

[ilovejedd]

Just remembered I downloaded a demo before when Apple released the iPhone 3GS. It's called Epic Citadel and I believe it's made by the same devs as Infinity Blade. I reckon running the Guided Tour for a couple of hours should do the trick. Alas, I need my iPad tomorrow so I need to charge it and can't run stress tests right now.

For what it's worth, I was using my iPad as hotspot earlier for around 2 hours. It got slightly warm but not at all uncomfortable. Alas, didn't have a surface thermometers so wasn't able to measure temps.

[monkeyluis]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=302SE...e_gdata_player

[speakingtohe]

http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/19/n...egrees-hotter/

This article suggests a benchmark test GLBenchmark (which I think is free). I don't have currently have an Ipad but am still interested.

Helen

[ilovejedd]

Just checked and GLBenchmark is $5. Hmm, no thanks. I'm curious but I'm not that curious.

[petermillard]

Maybe the 'problem' is widespread, maybe it's restricted to a particular batch or maybe just the odd one or two; truth is we'll never know, but if you believed the headlines you could be forgiven for thinking that every iPadNew was running too hot to hold in normal use, which is nonsense.

If we cast our minds back to last year when the iPad2 was launched, there were stories about it getting so hot if used in sunlight it would shut down (as if you could use an iPad in sunlight, ha! [/ironic sarcasm] ) Then after a while all those stories just went away.

I expect the same will happen here, and probably following the predictable pattern - a shocking exposé ("New iPad overheats") followed by an intense investigation of the 'problem' ("New iPad overheats - now with pictures") then a gradual winding down ("iPad overheating problem not as widespread as initially feared") before the story gets kicked to the kerb to die off on its own, or is replaced with the next shocking exposé ("New iPad retina display discolouration - class action imminent") etc.. etc..

Tech journalists have to write about something, I guess. I just wish they'd do some actual work once in a while, instead of (barely) re-writing stories from other hacks.

And as for my sample study of one, I have to say that my iPad is useless - doesn't even get warm enough to make toast >.<

[ilovejedd]

Actually, the reason I want to test is because I don't think the iPad is even overheating in the first place. Heck, I think the term overheating is incorrect. Overheating implies that the temperature is too high for the hardware to handle. Electronics tend to be able to withstand higher temps than humans can and for a handheld device like the iPad, people would likely stop using it due to discomfort before it overheats (unless it's mounted in a vehicle being used as GPS or entertainment center on a hot day and the AC is off).

I've used x86-based tablets that really do get hot. As in burn your fingers hot if you don't stop using it. So far, my iPad has only been slightly warm after extended use but again, I don't do things that stresses the CPU and GPU. Someone who uses it for gaming for hours on end may experience differently.

Yes, I do think the iPad should be tested for temperatures in a, say, at least 2-hour CPU/GPU stress scenario (to mimic marathon gaming sessions, etc). However, it shouldn't be singled out. Other tablets should also be tested in similar fashion. If people are going to expect the iPad to deliver max 110F operating temps or whatever, then the same criteria should be used for other tablets, too.

[VaporPunk]

Getting warm to the touch isn't really a big issue. However, heat tends to degrade battery life quicker and electrical components don't like it much either. Its possible that problems start to crop up after a few months. How likely that is, I honestly don't know. Only time will tell.

[tubemonkey]

All I can say is that I wouldn't try reading this book on it

[Talldog]

The Consumer Reports article mentioned downloads as a CPU-intensive task causing heat, so I thought that streaming a full screen video should provide some indication, since it combines downloading with the video loading the GPU. I found an old Jackie Chan movie on Youtube, because really, who's cooler than Jackie Chan? After almost 2 hours, there was a slight warming, but I'm not sure I even would have noticed it if I wasn't looking for it.

I imagine a processor-intensive game would be a better test, but I'm not a gamer.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Really, the question here is how hot does it get? Sure it might run hotter than the previous iPad but as long as it doesn't get uncomfortable to hold, I don't think it matters much. Also, how does the temps compare to other Android tablets at similar CPU/GPU load?

I have heard it can reach 114 degrees F. This is definitely hotter than an iPad 2 but it within the Apple specs for the product. It may be a bit uncomfortable for some people but should not damage the equipment. The entire unit does not get hot so it depends on where you hold it I suppose. There is no other unit out there with a screen with this high of resolution so there is nothing to compare it with.

Dale

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

I have heard it can reach 114 degrees F. This is definitely hotter than an iPad 2 but it within the Apple specs for the product. It may be a bit uncomfortable for some people but should not damage the equipment. The entire unit does not get hot so it depends on where you hold it I suppose.

External thermal specs for handheld devices should be based on human limitations and not based on long term endurance of parts. Ambient temperature should also be taken into account. Not really concerned with the longevity of the device. I know that electronics tend to have higher thresholds than humans do. No idea how Apple came up with their thermal specs so can't really make a comment on their statement.

No idea what the human threshold of pain is when it comes to heat so don't really know if 114F is bad or not. I do know 80C is hot enough to cause blisters (accidentally touched the heatsink on the Atom when I was doing some maintenance).

Originally Posted by DaleDe

There is no other unit out there with a screen with this high of resolution so there is nothing to compare it with.

Even if there's nothing that can be compared with the iPad right now in terms of resolution, it doesn't mean that other tablets don't get as hot particularly those with quad-core processors, etc. The iPad is a high profile device and I reckon it does log a lot of hours use with the CPU and GPU stressed. That's the reason it's getting all this coverage. However, just because it has the highest resolution doesn't mean it also runs hottest. Design matters a lot. Granted, Apple relying solely on radiation for heat transfer may not be the best of design choices.

[Andy_T]

And the problem is?



Put an apple logo on it, add a battery and call it "iFan (TM)", and you're good to go!

I mean, everybody knows that the new iPad is a hot item...

Best regards,
Andy

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

The entire unit does not get hot so it depends on where you hold it I suppose.

Another one of those "you're holding it wrong" devices easily remedied with the 'Ove' Glove

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

External thermal specs for handheld devices should be based on human limitations and not based on long term endurance of parts.

How it should be in your opinion is not how it is done.

Ambient temperature should also be taken into account. Not really concerned with the longevity of the device. I know that electronics tend to have higher thresholds than humans do. No idea how Apple came up with their thermal specs so can't really make a comment on their statement.

You already did. Ambient temperature is taken into considerations and it defined as the operating temperature of the device.

No idea what the human threshold of pain is when it comes to heat so don't really know if 114F is bad or not. I do know 80C is hot enough to cause blisters (accidentally touched the heatsink on the Atom when I was doing some maintenance).

Sorry I didn't convert it for you. that would be 45C.

Even if there's nothing that can be compared with the iPad right now in terms of resolution, it doesn't mean that other tablets don't get as hot particularly those with quad-core processors, etc. The iPad is a high profile device and I reckon it does log a lot of hours use with the CPU and GPU stressed. That's the reason it's getting all this coverage. However, just because it has the highest resolution doesn't mean it also runs hottest. Design matters a lot. Granted, Apple relying solely on radiation for heat transfer may not be the best of design choices.

Other tablets can certainly get hot for many different reasons that are unrelated to the discussion. the Apple seems to being getting hot due to the increased needs of the high resolution display. It takes 4GPUs to offer exactly the same performance as one GPU on the current iPad 2. The screen has 4 times the number of pixels and requires 4 times the horsepower to achieve the same results.

Dale