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Gedd

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 8, 2018
3
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Hi! I was trying to find info on this, and I’m not sure if this is a silly question. Is there any difference between using a fast-charge-capable third-party charger with USB to USB C cables and using a USB C to USB C fast-charger? This is for the new iPad Pro (my model is the 11”). Thanks a million.
 
Hi! I was trying to find info on this, and I’m not sure if this is a silly question. Is there any difference between using a fast-charge-capable third-party charger with USB to USB C cables and using a USB C to USB C fast-charger? This is for the new iPad Pro (my model is the 11”). Thanks a million.

Yes, there is a difference.

The moment you introduce USB-A connection, your max charging wattage will be 10-12watts. Using USB-C to USB-C, you’ll hit 29watts charging (with appropriate adapter), or up to 18 watts with the charger that came in the box.
 
Yes, there is a difference.

The moment you introduce USB-A connection, your max charging wattage will be 10-12watts. Using USB-C to USB-C, you’ll hit 29watts charging (with appropriate adapter), or up to 18 watts with the charger that came in the box.
Is there a place I can look up this sort of info? Thanks, mate.
 
Is there a place I can look up this sort of info? Thanks, mate.

Not exactly. Although this article is specific to iPhone X/XS/XR, the same USB-C charging concepts are applicable to Lighting to USB-C, or USB-C to USB-C connectivory for the iPad Pros (except 9.7” model). https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/3/...rging-usb-c-lighting-power-brick-cable-how-to

USB PD (Power Delivery) is what really makes the fast-charging magic happen. And you can’t do Power Delivery once you have USB-A involved. So it’s either USB-C to USB-C, or USB-C to Lightning.
 
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upload_2018-11-8_20-11-38.png

Here is a typically PD table to help with the matrix.
 
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Expanding on this: I just finished renovating my home, and being the supersmart guy that I am, had multiple storage areas around the house where the electrical outlets also had USB outlets. BRILLIANT! Except now I just got my new iPad Pro home, and discovered this whole USB-C thing - the first time I've ever beheld these plugs. Which are now threatening to make my BRILLIANT new home wiring obsolete.

I'm guessing that the wall outlets have USB-A sockets - is that right? If so, if I plug a USB-A to USB-C cable into my socket and my IPad Pro, am I right in thinking it'll still charge, but at a slow, old skool USB pace, as opposed to the fast charging that would happen if I plugged it directly into the power adapter that came with the new iPad Pro?
 
Expanding on this: I just finished renovating my home, and being the supersmart guy that I am, had multiple storage areas around the house where the electrical outlets also had USB outlets. BRILLIANT! Except now I just got my new iPad Pro home, and discovered this whole USB-C thing - the first time I've ever beheld these plugs. Which are now threatening to make my BRILLIANT new home wiring obsolete.

I'm guessing that the wall outlets have USB-A sockets - is that right? If so, if I plug a USB-A to USB-C cable into my socket and my IPad Pro, am I right in thinking it'll still charge, but at a slow, old skool USB pace, as opposed to the fast charging that would happen if I plugged it directly into the power adapter that came with the new iPad Pro?
Yes. Which is not that huge a deal on the 11 inch. On my (2017) 12.9 I find that fast charging makes a huge difference.
 
Expanding on this: I just finished renovating my home, and being the supersmart guy that I am, had multiple storage areas around the house where the electrical outlets also had USB outlets. BRILLIANT! Except now I just got my new iPad Pro home, and discovered this whole USB-C thing - the first time I've ever beheld these plugs. Which are now threatening to make my BRILLIANT new home wiring obsolete.

I'm guessing that the wall outlets have USB-A sockets - is that right? If so, if I plug a USB-A to USB-C cable into my socket and my IPad Pro, am I right in thinking it'll still charge, but at a slow, old skool USB pace, as opposed to the fast charging that would happen if I plugged it directly into the power adapter that came with the new iPad Pro?

Correct.

But don't be too bummed. You can replace those outlets for about $30 each, whenever the slower charging gets annoying.
 
Thanks, folks. I'm not too concerned about the slow charging - I picked up extra power units/cables for my office and for traveling. I just hope that not EVERYTHING is going to switch to USB-C.

I was admittedly fairly naive buying this thing - I just assumed it would be a Lightning connector, since those still feel fairly new, and I've just gotten used to the dongles I need to use to connect my headphones and my desktop speaker system. And then, suddenly...
 
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