New iPad Named Best Tablet by Consumer Reports, Despite Heat

The weekend after the new iPad went on sale, Consumer Reports reported that it got hotter than the previous iPad and other tablets on the market. That temperature concern got a lot of attention, although Apple maintained that the tablet operated "well within our thermal specifications."

Consumer Reports found the iPad could reach 116 degrees when playing processor-intensive games, but it has still named it the best tablet on the market.

"The high-resolution screen of the new iPad establishes a new benchmark in excellence, providing the best rendering of detail and color accuracy we've ever seen on a tablet display. As a result, the iPad tops our tablet ratings," Consumer Reports posted on its blog today.

Consumer Reports does note the heat issue, but  the author of the post, Donna L. Tapellini, says, "We didn't find those temperatures to be cause for concern." It also doesn't find some of the reported battery recharging issues to be showstoppers: "Our high overall judgment of the new iPad was not affected by the results of either battery of tests."

In 2010, Consumer Reports called out the iPhone 4's antenna issue, a problem that ultimately led Apple to distribute free bumpers, or cases. Because of that flaw, the publication didn't recommend the phone.