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Overheating iPad suit dismissed

by Steven Sande Feb 15th 2011 at 7:30PM

Shortly after the first iPad shipped last April, there were some allegations from users that the device overheated quickly in warm weather or direct sunlight. By July of 2010, three disgruntled iPad owners -- John Browning, Jacob Balthazar and Claudia Keller -- had filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple. Due to the alleged shut down problem from overheating, the trio stated that they felt that they had been taken in by Apple marketing claims that said that "reading on iPad is just like reading a book." Since books never overheat and shut down, the group accused Apple of fraud, deceptive advertising, and violating State of California consumer protection laws by producing, advertising and selling defective tablets.

Last Thursday, US District Court Judge Jeremy Fogel dismissed the lawsuit, saying that the trio's charges were "inadequate" and that they should have cited specific advertising where the claims of "reading on iPad is just like reading a book" were made. He's given the group 30 days to file an amended complaint with the information he's requested.

I don't know about you, but I have never thought that reading on an iPad is like reading a book. I don't have to charge a book, I don't have to turn a book on, and a book can't do other things (like play music in the background) while I'm reading it. Have you ever had your iPad overheat and shut down? If you have, let us know in the comments.

[via The Mac Observer]



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Shortly after the first iPad shipped last April, there were some allegations from users that the device overheated quickly in warm weather...
 

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LetDown

Yes, I've had my brand new freshly charged iPad shut down a few times while reading in the sun for 5-10 minutes. I just don't read in the sun now.

February 17 2011 at 2:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Koleckai

I live in the Mojave Desert of California and it gets as hot as 120 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. I've never actually received a heat warning or a shutdown.

February 16 2011 at 11:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Matt

Never had my iPad overheat and shut down, but it's happened to my iPhone 3GS, always during GPS usage.

February 16 2011 at 8:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jump4way

I have used my Ipad as an EFB in my aircraft. If left to direct sunlight it will shut down in a short amount of time. Obviously this poses a safety hazard if you were to rely on your Ipad as your sole source of navigation charts.

February 16 2011 at 8:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JKTX

If mine is in direct sun light, it will shut down. This is particularly a problem in the car where I use it as a radio. It took a while to put two and two together but as long as I keep it blocked from the direct sunlight, it works fine.

February 16 2011 at 7:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Laura

I've had my iPad shut down from the heat once, while sitting outside in our back yard. Big deal. I put it inside to cool it off, and went back out to play with my kids. I hate stupid lawsuits.

February 16 2011 at 6:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chris M

Well, living in Scotland, I have no issues with overheating. The issue here is waterproofness. :D

February 16 2011 at 2:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Chris M's comment
chuck

What?!? You mean the iPad wont operate properly in the pouring rain? Sounds like another class action lawsuit! Apple should stop selling iPads where it rains a lot.

/sarcasm

Seriously, you make an excellent point on the silliness of this case.

February 16 2011 at 8:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pradador

I've had my iPad shut down in a hot car before. It will tell you that it is too hot and to please wait until it cools before using. Seemed reasonable enough to me.

February 16 2011 at 1:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dvdphn

I disagree. To me, this case has the same logic as buying an ice cream cone and making a fuss when it starts melting. Maybe these guys should start making cases against those late night infomercial products as well.

I take care not to leave my iPad, or any electronic device, in direct sunlight, (maybe with the exception of solar panels).

February 16 2011 at 12:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cy Starkman

Nope but I wonder about operating specs of electronics.

If the website says operating temp max 35c but the company sells the device where temps do exceed 35c and an overheating fail happens.. What then, warranty or no warranty?

I'd say the company is at fault for selling a device into a market where the temp is above the device's operating temp. This is routine. I live in a place where day temps get 10+ deg c above operating temp with frequency and you can buy from an authorized reseller no worries.

February 15 2011 at 11:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
5 replies to Cy Starkman's comment
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