Charging iPad **newb question**

[FamiliaPhoto]

Hello everyone, hope this isn't a stupid question, but I will risk asking it anyway.

Got my iPad two days ago and am digging it, very nice device and will be a great travel companion when I'm traveling for business and do not want to bring along a personal laptop.

On to my question.

I have a portable Belkin surge protector where I normally plug my iPhone into the USB connection to charge and it works perfectly. Well, I plugged the iPad in through the same connection and I saw a message of "not charging" on the iPad until I used the adaptor that came with it. Is this normal, can I only charge the iPad with the provided adapter?

Again sorry if this is a stupid question, but its got me wondering. Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[juliuspierpont]

This was kind of a surprise when the iPads first came out. You have to use the charger that came with it. It's a higher voltage wall wart than your typical computer USB port, USB charger, or even Apple's regular iPod/iPhone charger.

 

[ijen0311]

It's still charging. Just slowly.

 

[tekchic]

Definitely best results if you use the iPad charger that came with it, or buy the Griffin PowerBlock iPad Charger (see this article: http://gizmodo.com/5535631/the-fastest-and-slowest-way-to-charge-an-ipad)

I still have some old iPhone/iPod chargers that I use to top off the iPad overnight, but they're by no means fast, just convenient because they're on my nightstand. All of them say "Not charging" but if the iPad is off, it will trickle charge it. I can go from 85% to 100% overnight with my old chargers still.

So far, my 2010 MBP is the only computer that will charge my iPad while I'm using it. My desktop and work PC's both say "Not Charging".

 

[FamiliaPhoto]

Thanks everyone, too bad as I now have to remember one more thing and the Belkin eliminated that need for me. But oh well, I think I can manage. Lets just hope I don't lose it.

 

[prot0type]

I have the very same travel surge protector and was disappointed about the trickle charge via USB. So if you don't mind letting it charge over night, you're definitely stuck bringing the block with you for a quick charge.

I'm sure a more powerful travel surge protector will be released soon enough, especially with the ipads popularity.