Recent reports that the new iPad has heating issues have begun to surface the past few days so today CNET performed an actual test just to see how hot the device actually gets. The results indicate that the new iPad definitely gets hotter than the iPad 2 when running the same apps, especially after playing high-level games, but so far the heat isn’t a real reason for concern.

CNET tested the new iPad against three different laptops to give some context and a basis of comparison for the temperature marks and the results are indicated on the chart below in degrees Fahrenheit.

How "Hot" Does the New iPad Actually Get?

The new iPad reached temperatures of 94 degrees Fahrenheit, with the hottest point being the corner opposite the speaker. Some Dell laptops reach 99 degrees while streaming movies so this is still a relatively low temperature. Overall, the results show that while the new iPad does get warmer than the iPad 2, it is not dangerous or a reason for concern. The main reason for the increased heat is the new backlight, which is needed to power the higher resolution screen.