iPad charging FAQ

Since we've already had a bunch of questions about this, I thought we could collect some info here.

• The iPad draws more power whilst charging than an iPod or iPhone
• It will charge when connected to some USB ports on newer Macs, but not all
• It will charge using an iPhone charger - but slowly
• Use the 10w iPad charger for best results
• Use the original USB cable for best results
• The 10w charger is 110-220V compatible, so it'll work worldwide

Source:
iPad: Charging the battery

Seems like this is a nice link to look into for charging the ipad via a PC USB. Seems one motherbord company fixed the issue for their mother boards. Gigabyte Solves iPad Charging Issue | Maximum PC

Because from my knowledge most PC's will not charge the ipad.

And "high-power USB 2.0 port using the included cable" acording to Apple is one that is more than 5W. Because the standard 5W USB will not charge it.

Good one Apt.

I have several of these. It is also apparently the typical 5 watt USB charger. Two hours of the iPad on the Belkin while watching a movie, showed a 37% increase in the charge.

I've read elsewhere (can't find it now) that older USB2 ports WILL charge the iPad, but only while its sleeping (and slowly). If I (or someone else) can verify this I will post here.

Update: C|Net has it mislabeled but reveals in their feature on iPad accessories that the iPad charger is 10 watts (they refer to it incorrectly as 10V). USB ports on most non-current models top out at 5 watts or less, meaning they lack the juice to both run the iPad *and* charge it. Bottom line: charging the iPad off my 2007 MacBook would take all day, whereas plugging it in to the mains should fully recharge it in about 3-4 hours.

Can check later tonight since my MBP for sure does not charge it while awake.

Charger Voltage

Hi People!

I've got a iPad on the way from the us, and am wondering about the mains charger that comes with it. I know most Apple chargers are 110-240V, im just wondering if this is the same for included charger. I've had a scout around the internet, but couldn't find a definitive answer. Hopefully its printed on it.

If anyone could help id be very grateful! Thanks in advance.

Nope, my 3 yr old MBP will not charge it, awake or asleep.
I have a PCI add-in USB card on my Win machine at work. It will not charge it either.

However, that Belkin I linked to above charges it just fine if I'm not using the iPad concurrently.

kciss, the charger shipped here in US:
Input:100-240V~ 0.45A. Ouput: 5.1v 2.1a

bobtomay. Thank you so much. Honestly, it was impossible to find that out. Thats put my mind at rest. Might be worth putting that in the faq about the voltage.

Thanks again!

kciss said:

bobtomay. Thank you so much. Honestly, it was impossible to find that out. Thats put my mind at rest. Might be worth putting that in the faq about the voltage.

Thanks again!

Click to expand...

Updated!

And we have several US iPads here at work, so I can confirm that the charger will work in Europe. You can just pull of the US plug head and snap on a UK iPod charger plug instead (or just use a typical plug adapter).

I posted this on another thread, but will repost here. I accidentally had my chords switched and was charging the iPad with my iPhone charger. It smoked it dead.

This might be helpful for some people. Gizmodo did a breakdown of various methods of charging your iPad to show which was the fastest and slowest.

The Fastest (and Slowest) Way to Charge an iPad

~Paik

The iPad will charge just fine using the original 2G iPhone charger, but that's probably because that one is identical to the one that ships with the iPad.

Also, as others have stated, the iPad will charge on a PC's USB port as long as the screen is turned off. If you turn on the screen then it will say "Not Charging"

What about the longer cord that came with my MBP? You know, the end that plugs into the wall and snaps on and off of the charger. Can that end attach to the iPad charger to give it more length so I'm not tethered so closely to the outlet? I know it fits on there, but haven't tried plugging it in yet. It has 3 prongs (U.S.) and the one that came with the iPad has 2 prongs. I think it's silly they sell a longer cord for $30 USD.

If you add the long cable, it would make it just like the Apple 10W wall adapter you can buy for ipad.

So if I use my USB wall charger (it's made by Radio Shack, and plugs into the wall, and contains a USB port on the end) which charges my iPod touch and other iPods, will it charge the iPad?

Chris H. said:

So if I use my USB wall charger (it's made by Radio Shack, and plugs into the wall, and contains a USB port on the end) which charges my iPod touch and other iPods, will it charge the iPad?

Click to expand...

It should work, it will just take a long time to charge.

Should work Chris. I use a Belkin model in my posts above. If it's the typical 5 watt, it just won't charge (or will, but extremely slowly) while you're using it. Mine charges it up just fine when left on it overnight.

Thanks for this great FAQ and info. Got the driver for my motherboard and now it charges from the USB of my PC.

Wondering if I can use my iPad while connected to the USB charger/socket, would it help battery last longer as It would use less battery cycles?

malcolmx99 said:

Wondering if I can use my iPad while connected to the USB charger/socket,

Click to expand...

Yes - unless the iPad2 has changed though, it's not going to charge while in use connected to most Macs.

would it help battery last longer as It would use less battery cycles?

Click to expand...

Who knows - I'm not even aware of anyone that has had to replace a battery in an iPad.

My recent battery life test on my iPad at 13 months old had a single battery charge last just shy of 13 hours. I would suggest you're wasting your time worrying about it.