Big Mac on Campus

iPad not as hot as I thought April 6, 2010

After overhearing a student complaining that the iPad he’d just purchased had overheated on him while hanging around outside on-campus (This being day one after release), decided to do a little testing.

I left an iPad in direct sunlight, shiny side up (aluminum), when the ambient air temperature was 85°F, for roughly 20 minutes.

Not on. Not running any apps.

Got the following error:
Temperature
iPad needs to cool down before you can use it.

The iPad definitely doesn’t like anything resembling warm weather. Apple is apparently forcing it to abide by the operating specs of a maximum temperature of 95°F. http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

Overall, I’ve been quite surprised with the little device. It has outperformed the iPhone, hands down. Even typing on the full-size keyboard is easier than I’d ever imagined.

I am wondering how any students could possibly use it on our campus though. I see the iPad easily going over the 95°F mark, just riding in a students backpack between classes, especially during the summer months. Not only do we consistently pass the 95°F mark, but the humidity hangs around 100%. If you get thirsty enough, you could almost drink the air. Can’t wait to see a humidity warning next, once it surpasses Apple’s specs.