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Taking An Infrared Camera To The iPad 3

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Our Kintrex IRT0421 laser-targeting thermometer lets us measure surface temperature, but we can do even better with an infrared camera, which detects infrared energy and converts it into an electronic signal.

On the previous page, we created each heat map by taking nine samples on the front and back of the tablets. But those samples only represent individual pin points. The Flir i7 lets us visualize the entire device at 140x140 resolution, and with plus or minus two-degree accuracy.

We probably won't be using the i7 much moving forward, since its focus is fixed. However, the images themselves tell the story here. Apple's A5X is responsible for the hotspot observed during gaming sessions. (Link to view full thermal camera image gallery of the iPad 3.)

Look what happens when brightness is increased, below. The whole tablet's temperature (measured at the front and back) jumps by a significant margin. Though it's a worst-case scenario, this situation illustrates that concerns about heat are largely limited to 3D workloads with the screen's brightness cranked up as high as it'll go. On it's own, the Retina display is about as hot as human skin, whereas the iPad 2 is comparatively cool.

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tomfreak 04/16/2012 5:24 AM
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confish21 04/16/2012 5:38 AM
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-4+

Really a solid tablet. Just wish the adapter and outrageous bills could disappear... Great Review!

100 degrees is damn hot but I think the results are justified.

confish21 04/16/2012 5:46 AM
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-11+

its cool if I lick my finger for page turning right?

hardcore_gamer 04/16/2012 6:08 AM
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-6+

I'm waiting for an x86- Windows 8 tablet.

aicom 04/16/2012 6:46 AM
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-13+

Tomfreak :
lol FAIL hard when I see keyboard are displayed on TV as well despite being docked and to make thigns worst one still need to carry the adapter around to plug HDMI......


+1 to the keyboard thing. But remember that most tablets (all?) don't have full size HDMI so you probably need a dongle 99% of the time anyway.

tomfreak 04/16/2012 7:13 AM
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-2+

HDMI port is not very thick, I still wonder whats keeping them from putting in on tablet.

Maziar 04/16/2012 8:20 AM
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--1+

Great article! very detailed.

aicom 04/16/2012 8:25 AM
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-1+

Tomfreak :
HDMI port is not very thick, I still wonder whats keeping them from putting in on tablet.


The port isn't all that's needed. There's also a bit of hardware around it for the socket that makes it a tad thicker and a stretch to fit in the chasis of tablets.

alchemy69 04/16/2012 11:05 AM
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-11+

"Typically, you're looking at a tablet from less than a foot away"

Really?

tomfreak 04/16/2012 11:37 AM
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aicom :
The port isn't all that's needed. There's also a bit of hardware around it for the socket that makes it a tad thicker and a stretch to fit in the chasis of tablets.

looks like we gonna wait wide adoption for mini display port for TV then.

bustapr 04/16/2012 11:45 AM
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-3+

more than 5hrs to charge. thats not to my liking. the transformer prime was the only battery life vs charge time tablet I saw.

Augray37 04/16/2012 1:05 PM
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-1+

The display is 9.7", not 10.1".

cknobman 04/16/2012 1:17 PM
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-3+

Alchemy69 :
"Typically, you're looking at a tablet from less than a foot away"Really?



Yeah I thought that comment was bunk too. Typically I use my tablet 1-2 feet away as less that 1 foot away would have the thing shoved up in my face too much and not give me any arm reach to operate the device properly.

As for the display in the iPad3 I went to the apple store and looked at it side by side with the iPad2. The colors look great but the super high pixel density was not as big of a difference as these reviews made it out to be.

The biggest things I noticed when comparing iPad2 and 3 side by side was the increased thickness and weight. Those 2 factors were enough for me to want to choose the iPad2, especially if I could get it a little cheaper than the iPad 3.

mcd023 04/16/2012 2:01 PM
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-1+

I am curious, was it just a reduction in pixel size that made the higher gamut? that doesn't really make sense to me. Does anyone have more info?

nycnut 04/16/2012 2:10 PM
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The data plan graphic is WRONG! Verizon offers 2GB vs ATTs 3GB for the same $30. Check your facts...

hoofhearted 04/16/2012 2:53 PM
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-1+

I am not a fanboy of either camp. I have a tf prime and just got the ipad 3. I just wish apple would put a friggin sd slot. Watching my dvd collection while at the gym on the eliptical machine is a must and I am not fond of jumping though hoops to swap content in and out.

I also am curious about who will get the gaming win (more depends on where the devs go):
android tegra3, ipad3, vita, 3ds, or maybe microsoft will pull a rabbit out of their hat with win8.

badtaylorx 04/16/2012 3:00 PM
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jamesjones_det 04/16/2012 3:15 PM
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-0+

I'm not supporting and/or dissing the iPad or Tom's hardware but technically there is a "wireless" option with AirPlay and an Apple TV or Mac.

I'm just saying if we are supposed to be a technology site we should be sure the facts are correct.

CaedenV 04/16/2012 3:52 PM
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-1+

give me a 16:9 or 16:10 tablet capable running an independant 1080 or 1200 capable external display with a native miniHDMI connector for easy setup for presentations and video watching (does not need 3D support on external display). I also want removable storage for SD cards as an option, and a USB port or 2 if it is not too much to ask so I can hook up my video camera, or keyboard, or credit card swiper without dealing with a dock. Lastly, I want a minimum 128GB of internal storage on it for $300-400. I will take a slower processor, or lowered graphics for the sake of a minimum 128GB of storage. Lastly, I want full MS office to run on it, none of this web-based office365 junk, especially if I am going to be out and about and not wanting to waste my 4G plan just to run office.

If I am going to pay $830 for a limited use tablet with 64GB storage and 4G, then I think I would rather spend that money on a notebook or ultrabook. I can still get a touch screen, I still get good graphics, I get a real keyboard/mouse, can still get a 4G option, and I get real x86 programs, removable storage, better connectivity options (USB3, thunderbolt), and (most importantly) real storage space.

Also, I would prefer win8 over iOS, but iOS is not a deal breaker if they would come out with something that would fit my use.

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