Hey Chris,

 

Dissipating heat from memory isn’t really factor compared to the processor itself.  I do not know the memory architecture of the iPad, but most modern designs support multiple banks of memory in that when a memory transaction is occurring, only a portion of the actual memory chips are working.  The memory chips do not give off heat unless they are being used.  They use very little power by themselves, especially when they are only self refreshing.  They certainly will add to the overall heat of the unit if accessed frequently, but the thing you need to watch out for is the graphics processor and the CPU itself.

 

The thing that will heat up your iPad the most is a busy processor.  So you have can all the memory you want and even powerful and processor intensive applications loaded onto your iPad, and still be okay if you don’t use them at high altitudes.  In other words, get the iPad that you want, so that you can do other things while on the ground that are valuable to you, but then while you are in the air, and above 10,000 feet, don’t watch HD movies or other processor intensive functions, and it will be okay.

 

Kevin