Trouble In Paradise: iPad Users Complain Of Wifi Issues

Just one day after launch and there are already scores of complaints on the Apple support site over faulty wifi on the iPad. A typical complaint is that the iPad shows no wifi signal, or a very weak signal, where other devices pick it up just fine:

Having this issue with my iPad as well. It’s dropping down to one bar in a part of the house the most other devices, including my MBP and my iPhone, get full service. The WiFi is so dense in our house that I often get signal outside on most of my devices. The iPad’s WiFi antenna is like the new iMacs – it’s centrally located behind the Apple logo, and it’s tiny. The difference is the iMac’s Apple logo isn’t usually resting on something; the iPad’s usually is.

Count me in as someone who’s having iPad Wifi issues as well. The device works fine near the router, but on the other side of the house, nada. But my Macbook pro and my Nexus One and other various devices I’ve brought into the house pick up wifi just fine in that area.

Early Macbook Air users complained of Wifi issues, too. I eventually abandoned the computer because the only place Wifi worked was in the Apple store, even though I was using Apple networking equipment at home.

My understanding of Wifi issues on devices, particularly cramped devices like the Macbook Air and iPad, is that it’s usually a hardware/design issue and something that can’t be fixed via a software patch. I hope that’s not the case with the iPad, because faulty Wifi would make this a very unattractive device. Particularly if they run into Macbook Air type problems.

As one commenter on the Apple site said, “Not spending $500 on something I cant even use. Its going back tomorrow.”