According to a recently leaked internal AppleCare document, Apple is actively investigating reported WiFi related issues affecting the 3rd-generation iPad. Apple is instructing employees to “capture” the affected WiFi only models.
…Since the new iPad’s launch, many users have been complaining about third-generation iPad WiFi issues ranging from connection drops, slow download and upload speeds, or the device’s inability to even pickup local WiFi networks. A thread discussing the issue exists on Apple’s online support forums has almost amassed 700 replies from users with similar issues.
Some examples from the forum thread:
“I am in a hotel with my laptop and new ipad3. The laptop wifi reception is as strong as it gets, but the iPad only registers a weak signal. Anyone else having similar problems? Any suggestions?”
“It has absolutely nothing to do with routers. I am right next to my wife, to whom I gave my iPad 1: she has full bars and I have 1-2. FYI: on Speedtest near the router I get over 10 mb downloads; 20 feet away I get .2 mb downloads. That’s ridiculous.”
The iPad WiFi issues have been reported by the media the last couple of weeks. Apple has admitted internally that some new iPad models are having the WiFi issues. According to Apple. “Symptoms can include, but are not limited to: intermittent connectivity, slow WiFi speeds, and WiFi network not seen.”
Apple is instructing AppleCare employees to ensure that devices they test are not facing these issues due to normal software bugs, but instead because of the actual hardware components. According to Apple, WiFi Only 3rd-gen iPads are the only devices being affected by these issues. The 4G LTE models are not affected due to the extra network power allowed by the black rubber cut on the top of the unit.