The latest version of Apple’s iPad is hot. No, seriously.
A Dutch website, Tweakers.net, decided to perform a standard benchmark test on both the iPad 2 and the new iPad, and then record both of them with an infrared camera.
That way the site was able to measure the difference in heat output from both versions of the tablet. According to the results, the hottest part of the iPad 2 during the benchmark test measured 83 degrees Fahrenheit while the new iPad chimed in at 92.5 degrees.
Apple’s documentation notes that, for both models, users should expect operating temperatures of between 32 degrees to 95 degrees, so either way it’s still within the appropriate range.
What the site, as translated by Engadget, points out is that the new GPU – an A5X chip with quad-core graphics – is likely to be the culprit for the additional heat.
The test was performed to confirm anecdotal reactions from users who said their new iPad felt warmer than what they were used to with the iPad 2.
And in fact, it is now confirmed, as Apple has acknowledged that the results from Tweakers.net are in fact accurate.
Apple spokesperson Trudy Miller was quoted by Allthingsd.com as saying that there is a heat difference. However, “The new iPad delivers a stunning Retina display, A5X chip, support for 4G LTE plus 10 hours of battery life, all while operating well within our thermal specifications.”
