Consumer Reports has added their two cents on the “overheating iPad” controversy, reports MacRumors, concluding that the new iPad can reach temperatures of up to 116 degrees fahrenheit under heavy load for prolonged periods of time.
From Consumer Reports:
We ran our test while the new iPad was propped on the iPad Smart Cover, plugged in, and after it had run Infinity Blade II uninterrupted for about 45 minutes. The device’s 4G connection was not turned on, though its Wi-fi link was. The ambient room temperature was about 72 degrees. (Apple recommends not using the iPad in environments over 95 degrees.)
When unplugged, the back of the new iPad reached temperatures as high as 113 degrees Fahrenheit. It was only when plugged in that it hit 116 degrees. The hottest areas weren’t evenly distributed throughout the iPad’s back, but were concentrated near one corner of the display as shown in the images taken from the rear of the device above.
Interestingly, while their assessment stated that the iPad was “not especially uncomfortable” to use, even at its hottest temperature, they changed their tune in a statement to CNBC, stating that the new iPad can get “hot enough to be uncomfortable at least.” Nothing like changing your mind at the last minute just to get more attention.
On Apple part, the company has confirmed that the extra heat is really nothing to worry about, and falls well within an acceptable range.
Consumer Reports also found something which many users had previously noticed – the fact that the new iPad sucks more power than its predecessor, and therefore cannot charge via USB while under a heavy load, such as playing a graphically intense game.
All in all, though, these concerns are very minimal, and highly unlikely to pose any significant problems for users.