2012 Mac Mini not charging iPad 4th

[jwhite4304]

Using the usb ports on the 2012 Mac Mini with the charging cable and my Ipad 4, sometimes the ipad charges and sometimes it does not. Do I have a faulty usb port? I have moved the cable several times to each port with the same results.

Jimbo

 

[That-Guy]

Using the usb ports on the 2012 Mac Mini with the charging cable and my Ipad 4, sometimes the ipad charges and sometimes it does not. Do I have a faulty usb port? I have moved the cable several times to each port with the same results.

Jimbo

Tried a different cable? I have an iPad 3rd Gen which charges fine from the Mini

 

[paulrbeers]

Using the usb ports on the 2012 Mac Mini with the charging cable and my Ipad 4, sometimes the ipad charges and sometimes it does not. Do I have a faulty usb port? I have moved the cable several times to each port with the same results.

Jimbo

I thought that the 3rd and 4th generation couldn't be charged by USB unless the screen is off due to their power requirements. Are you "watching" it charge while connected to the Mini? Try turning off the screen and leave it for an hour and see where you are at after the hour.

 

[COrocket]

Using the usb ports on the 2012 Mac Mini with the charging cable and my Ipad 4, sometimes the ipad charges and sometimes it does not. Do I have a faulty usb port? I have moved the cable several times to each port with the same results.

Jimbo

One thing to consider is that USB ports that are incorporated into computers are limited in the amount of power they can output. IIRC, 900mAh for USB 3, which comes out to around 4.5 watts. The included wall charger with iPad 4's are 12 watts, so It will charge much faster. The full size iPad has the equivalent of a small laptop battery on board, hence the higher charging requirements than say, an iPod.

Can you consistently communicate/transfer data with the iPad? If so, your USB port is probably working correctly, its just that the charging may be slow/non existant depending on usage. I'd recommend sticking to the wall charger when possible.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Using the usb ports on the 2012 Mac Mini with the charging cable and my Ipad 4, sometimes the ipad charges and sometimes it does not. Do I have a faulty usb port? I have moved the cable several times to each port with the same results.

Jimbo

Macs from 2009 on have "High Power" USB ports and "can" charge an iPad. However they will not charge as quickly as the 12W wall charger, and may still run into issues if the battery is well down.

Remember that USB provides 5 volts, and normal USB ports (like on a PC or older Mac) will provide 500mA (0.5A). That's 2.5 watts.

High power ports can provide 1000mA current (1A) which is 5 watts.

The adapter that came with your iPad is 12 watts, much better suited.

 

[jwhite4304]

Just spoke to Apple support and they confirm that the 2012 mac mini does not have the power in the USB ports to charge the 4th generation iPad.

Jimbo

 

[palebluedot]

Just spoke to Apple support and they confirm that the 2012 mac mini does not have the power in the USB ports to charge the 4th generation iPad.

Jimbo

Wow.

While it is silly that this would be necessary, you could possibly plug in a powered USB hub, for example on on your monitor or a external USB hub. I'd think that would be able to provide the power?

 

[dcrumbaugh]

Just spoke to Apple support and they confirm that the 2012 mac mini does not have the power in the USB ports to charge the 4th generation iPad.

Jimbo

They may say that, but I have no issues charging my iPad 4 off the 2012 Mac mini USB ports. I do it all the time, and it even charges with the display on / iPad in use. Just another data point.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Just spoke to Apple support and they confirm that the 2012 mac mini does not have the power in the USB ports to charge the 4th generation iPad.

Jimbo

You got bad info.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4049

"Note: Apple computers and displays that were introduced before 2007 support only 500 mA at 5 V from their ports and do not offer additional power."

Also, the article shows specifically how to see on your specific Mac if extra power is available.

It also notes some limitations: 1. The additional power is only available under OS X, not when running Windows under BootCamp; 2. The extra power is available to only one port, which will be the port that first requests extra power. So for example if you plug a SuperDrive or iPhone into one port on your Mini, then plug an iPad into a different port, the iPad won't charge.

 

[jwhite4304]

You got bad info.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4049

"Note: Apple computers and displays that were introduced before 2007 support only 500 mA at 5 V from their ports and do not offer additional power."

Also, the article shows specifically how to see on your specific Mac if extra power is available.

It also notes some limitations: 1. The additional power is only available under OS X, not when running Windows under BootCamp; 2. The extra power is available to only one port, which will be the port that first requests extra power. So for example if you plug a SuperDrive or iPhone into one port on your Mini, then plug an iPad into a different port, the iPad won't charge.

Thanks for the update!