Charging the iPad

Tony Szmuk · 06-04-2010, 04:24 PM

Somethig odd about then iPad: I cannot charge it if I connect the USB cable to a PC. The PC will see the iPad and iTunes works well, but the unit won't carge, so I have to charge it by pluing it to the wall. That kinda sucks. If I plug it to a Mac, no problem. I bought a USB powered hub and the thing still wouldn't charge, so it seems that the only way to solve the issue is to buy an Apple computer. Has anyone here experienced something similar?

HarryT · 06-04-2010, 04:28 PM

It's actually not as simple as that. The iPad is lying when it says "Not charging" when it's connected to a PC's USB port. It is charging, but very slowly. Eg, this morning my iPad was on 92% charge. I've had it connected to my PC all afternoon, and now it's fully charged, despite saying "not charging" all that time. If you put the iPad in sleep mode, and leave it connected to USB, it'll charge significantly faster.

As you say, though, if you want a fast charge, use the wall charger.

Look at it this way: the iPad is very much a "cousin" to a netbook or a tablet PC. None of those will charge at all via USB. Be thankful for small mercies!

DixieGal · 06-04-2010, 04:29 PM

Yes, that is correct. Only charge from the wall.

kjk · 06-04-2010, 04:29 PM

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/05/31/drive...g-ipad-on-pcs/
See if this helps!

Tony Szmuk · 06-04-2010, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's actually not as simple as that. The iPad is lying when it says "Not charging" when it's connected to a PC's USB port. It is charging, but very slowly. Eg, this morning my iPad was on 92% charge. I've had it connected to my PC all afternoon, and now it's fully charged, despite saying "not charging" all that time. If you put the iPad in sleep mode, and leave it connected to USB, it'll charge significantly faster.

As you say, though, if you want a fast charge, use the wall charger.

Look at it this way: the iPad is very much a "cousin" to a netbook or a tablet PC. None of those will charge at all via USB. Be thankful for small mercies!

Yep, I understand that, but I tried it on a Mac and it's charging. And what I don't understand is why it's not charging (or charging very slowly as you say) when it's connected to a powered USB hub. Anyway, thanks for the info. I didn't knew that 'not charging' means 'just a little bit'.

Tony Szmuk · 06-04-2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjk

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/05/31/drive...g-ipad-on-pcs/
See if this helps!

Interesting. I'll try that.

HarryT · 06-04-2010, 04:44 PM

Presumably the reason is that it requires more power to properly charge than the USB standard permits, and Mac USB ports can supply that, whereas a "normal" USB port can't.

If I recall correctly, the USB standard permits a port to supply up to 5W of power (5V at 1Amp); the iPad charger supplies 10W.

kjk · 06-04-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Presumably the reason is that it requires more power to properly charge than the USB standard permits, and Mac USB ports can supply that, whereas a "normal" USB port can't.

If I recall correctly, the USB standard permits a port to supply up to 5W of power (5V at 1Amp); the iPad charger supplies 10W.

Yes, the later model Mac USB ports are adaptable-they can supply more power if needed.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4049?viewlocale=en_US

LazyScot · 06-04-2010, 05:35 PM

I think some computers other than Mac's can support the higher drain that the iPad needs to charge properly. I believe there is a negotiation (or some such) which allows the iPad to determine if it can turn on the charging (at full power?). However, most laptop class devices probably won't support iPad charging as the draw from the laptop's battery or through its power supply are beyond the likely design.

lilman · 06-04-2010, 05:41 PM

I can charge using my Thinkpad laptop if the power cable is plugged in. The iPad screen says that it isn't charging but it is.

Mosherix · 06-04-2010, 06:57 PM

Has any one let the battery drain to 0%?.
I used mine last night until it powered off by itself.

Not a good thing to do.

I let it charge some minutes and turned it on. It went off a couple of times. I then stopped using it and took a very long time to charge to 4%. When I woke up it was only at 20%. From there it started to charge faster. I used the wall charger all the time.

Maggie Leung · 06-04-2010, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosherix

Has any one let the battery drain to 0%?.
I used mine last night until it powered off by itself.

Not a good thing to do.

I let it charge some minutes and turned it on. It went off a couple of times. I then stopped using it and took a very long time to charge to 4%. When I woke up it was only at 20%. From there it started to charge faster. I used the wall charger all the time.

I let it drain once and charged it back up to about 80 percent in about 2.5 hours with the Griffin charger.

I read in Apple's battery care that you should let the battery drain once a month. I'm going on memory, so feel free to confirm. It said it would take up to 10 minutes to become usable if you let it drain and recharged from zero.

CopperTrail · 06-05-2010, 09:18 AM

I bought mine the day the wifi model was released and I've only charged it down to 0 once. I'm not going to calibrate it by taking it down to 0 once a month unless I start to see runtime problems. I've also noticed that it seems to charge faster when wifi is disabled.

JimKal · 06-05-2010, 10:27 AM

I read in Apple's battery care that you should let the battery drain once a month. I'm going on memory, so feel free to confirm.

I remember reading that as well but I was unsure of what they meant by "drain". I believe you start getting a low battery reading at about 20%. That is as far as I've let it drain before using the wall recharger. Would it be better to let it drain closer to 0% or is the low battery warning close enough?

When wifi is on the battery drains more quickly so it would make sense that it would charge more slowly with the wifi on.

CopperTrail · 06-05-2010, 10:33 AM

The idea is to let it drain down until the device powers itself off in order to calibrate the iPad with the battery.

06-04-2010, 04:24 PM	#1
Tony Szmuk Connoisseur Posts: 61 Karma: 383712 Join Date: May 2010 Device: ,,,	Charging the iPad Somethig odd about then iPad: I cannot charge it if I connect the USB cable to a PC. The PC will see the iPad and iTunes works well, but the unit won't carge, so I have to charge it by pluing it to the wall. That kinda sucks. If I plug it to a Mac, no problem. I bought a USB powered hub and the thing still wouldn't charge, so it seems that the only way to solve the issue is to buy an Apple computer. Has anyone here experienced something similar?

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06-04-2010, 04:28 PM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It's actually not as simple as that. The iPad is lying when it says "Not charging" when it's connected to a PC's USB port. It is charging, but very slowly. Eg, this morning my iPad was on 92% charge. I've had it connected to my PC all afternoon, and now it's fully charged, despite saying "not charging" all that time. If you put the iPad in sleep mode, and leave it connected to USB, it'll charge significantly faster. As you say, though, if you want a fast charge, use the wall charger. Look at it this way: the iPad is very much a "cousin" to a netbook or a tablet PC. None of those will charge at all via USB. Be thankful for small mercies!

06-04-2010, 04:29 PM	#3
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Yes, that is correct. Only charge from the wall.

06-04-2010, 04:29 PM	#4
kjk . Posts: 3,408 Karma: 5647231 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: never enough	http://www.tuaw.com/2010/05/31/drive...g-ipad-on-pcs/ See if this helps!

06-04-2010, 04:44 PM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Presumably the reason is that it requires more power to properly charge than the USB standard permits, and Mac USB ports can supply that, whereas a "normal" USB port can't. If I recall correctly, the USB standard permits a port to supply up to 5W of power (5V at 1Amp); the iPad charger supplies 10W.

06-04-2010, 05:35 PM	#9
LazyScot DSil Posts: 3,201 Karma: 6895096 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hants, UK Device: Kindle, Cybook	I think some computers other than Mac's can support the higher drain that the iPad needs to charge properly. I believe there is a negotiation (or some such) which allows the iPad to determine if it can turn on the charging (at full power?). However, most laptop class devices probably won't support iPad charging as the draw from the laptop's battery or through its power supply are beyond the likely design.

06-04-2010, 05:41 PM	#10
lilman Addict Posts: 326 Karma: 960 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Florida, US Device: Kindle DX, iPad	I can charge using my Thinkpad laptop if the power cable is plugged in. The iPad screen says that it isn't charging but it is.

06-04-2010, 06:57 PM	#11
Mosherix Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 120 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Guadalajara Mexico Device: iPod Touch, iPad, PRS 300	Has any one let the battery drain to 0%?. I used mine last night until it powered off by itself. Not a good thing to do. I let it charge some minutes and turned it on. It went off a couple of times. I then stopped using it and took a very long time to charge to 4%. When I woke up it was only at 20%. From there it started to charge faster. I used the wall charger all the time.

06-05-2010, 09:18 AM	#13
CopperTrail Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 57 Join Date: Feb 2005 Device: Dell Axim X3i	I bought mine the day the wifi model was released and I've only charged it down to 0 once. I'm not going to calibrate it by taking it down to 0 once a month unless I start to see runtime problems. I've also noticed that it seems to charge faster when wifi is disabled.

06-05-2010, 10:27 AM	#14
JimKal Zealot Posts: 122 Karma: 1000 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jamestown, NC Device: iPad, iMac,iPhone, Kindle Touch	I read in Apple's battery care that you should let the battery drain once a month. I'm going on memory, so feel free to confirm. I remember reading that as well but I was unsure of what they meant by "drain". I believe you start getting a low battery reading at about 20%. That is as far as I've let it drain before using the wall recharger. Would it be better to let it drain closer to 0% or is the low battery warning close enough? When wifi is on the battery drains more quickly so it would make sense that it would charge more slowly with the wifi on.

06-05-2010, 10:33 AM	#15
CopperTrail Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 57 Join Date: Feb 2005 Device: Dell Axim X3i	The idea is to let it drain down until the device powers itself off in order to calibrate the iPad with the battery.

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