Apple's New iPad Also Has Wi-Fi Problems?
The risk of being an early adopter has been well-documented . While the thrill of being the first on your block with a highly anticipated, widely celebrated device can be addictive, it's often worth it to wait two to three months for the company to release a patch that fixes all the bugs and glitches it missed prior to release.
I know I felt that regret when I jumped aboard the Motorola (MMI) Droid Bionic train, only to find the Android (GOOG) device emitted a high-pitched squeal which every other review had missed. It was an agonizing wait before that bug was patched.
And it would seem that some owners of Apple's (AAPL) new iPad are going through a similar bit of buyer's remorse.
This week, it was revealed that the new device can get uncomfortably hot under certain conditions. Making matters worse, new testimonials are pouring in relating the tablet's Wi-Fi connectivity problems -- echoing an issue with the original iPad which Apple confirmed .
Gizmodo's Jesus Diaz has collected forums posts from users who discovered the new iPad has Wi-Fi reception issues. According to a growing number of owners, the new iPad will register a much weaker signal than earlier models. A thread on AppleCare's support forums began with:
"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?"
Others began chiming in:
"Same here ipad2 has twice the wifi range with the same settings as the ipad3. The screens nice but I may return mine if this is the way they all are."
"Same here! Will not hold WIFI for more than a few minutes. Two MacBooks and iPhone working fine from same router. Ready to return iPad!!!!!"
After Diaz reported the issue, two readers wrote in to Gizmodo to follow up on the story, one of whom confirmed the issue with Apple Geniuses during a visit to a retail location:
"I spent 90 min in the store. We compared the speed on the 3 and my 2. Wasn't a dramatic difference (because we were in the back of the store, closer to the router mothership!) But still there was a difference.
They did an exchange—but we all decided to test the new iPad 3.
We tested it, and still there was a difference - about 2/3 the strength. It wasn't that big.
Then the clerk suggested we try another machine to compare two 3's—and my 2.
When we went to the front of the store—at the entryway to the mall—I was vindicated! Because the signal was weaker—the the 2 was flying—getting 12 or 15—while the 3 was lagging at 3 or 4.
So the manager was called over. It was decided to swap it for yet another 3.
Tested it again and it was still the same problem.
But now everyone was aware that there is a problem with the 3.
Bottom line: I returned it, got my money back - and am back to the 2. It's not as sharp, but it's fast! So, I'll wait a month or so, and see if they manage to improve the wifi issue."
As with the original iPad, it's very likely that Apple will patch the issue with an update. However, it'll be an agonizing wait until a fix is delivered.
But as any early adopter can tell you, it comes with the territory. Even with Apple.
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