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wahoo10

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 11, 2009
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Tried to use a third party connector cable to charge my iPad while at work yesterday, but the iPad just said "not charging". Does the standard USB port not charge the iPad?
 
Only the iPad charger will work. The USB on a computer will allow for syncing but will not provide a charge.
 
Tried to use a third party connector cable to charge my iPad while at work yesterday, but the iPad just said "not charging". Does the standard USB port not charge the iPad?

this is normal, most usb ports you plug into will show this even with the charger it came with
 
Not true, sorry!
My Mac Pro will charge my iPad although very slow.
The key is that it has to be USB 2.0 or above to make it work.
 
^ True. My MP will also charge my iPad. It is too slow to really do much but it does.
 
mine shows not charging (ipad) with my MBA but it does trickle charge...should have been clearer on that...sorry

Strange Taipan61.
Just for the sake of knowledge I just plugged it in to see again as I usually use the wall charger and it shows that it was charging.
I wonder if it could be because of yours being a MBA and not a desktop.
Anyway just thought I put this out.
 
Try a program from Asus, AI Charger http://event.asus.com/mb/2010/ai_charger/ .

I installed it on my Dell precision 4600 laptop (AFAIK not an Asus motherboard) which would not charge the iPad 2 previosly and it works great now. Even charges my new 3rd generation iPad. It seems to say it is changing the registry (Windows 7) but I did not realize that ahead of time so I don't know what key it changes.
 
Only the iPad charger will work. The USB on a computer will allow for syncing but will not provide a charge.

not true.

and it's also not whether the port is USB2.0 or not. the key point is not all USB ports have a high enough current output. most only supply 500mA current, which is not enough for the iPad (may still trickle charge, however)

some Apple computers, particularly newer models, have higher power output USB ports supplying 1100mA which can be used to charge the iPad (although it will charge more slowly than the standard external 10W charger = 2A @ 5V)

you can check the max current output of your Mac's USB ports in System profiler, see this document for more info. There's also this Macworld article you may find useful
 
Strange Taipan61.
Just for the sake of knowledge I just plugged it in to see again as I usually use the wall charger and it shows that it was charging.
I wonder if it could be because of yours being a MBA and not a desktop.
Anyway just thought I put this out.

i think your right, it's a couple of years old and when i just tried it on my work desktop it shows charging...it's usb 3
 
Does the standard USB port not charge the iPad?

Useful article here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4049

TLDNR: Max. current for standard USB port is 500mA which isn't going to go far with an iPad3. Certain Apple devices (e.g. iPad), when connected directly to certain Apple computers, can request up to 1100 mA.

In my case, charging fine (at reasonable speed) directly connected to my 2011 MacBook Pro, but "Not charging" via an (unpowered) USB hub.

Unless you use a new-ish Mac, best bet is to carry the 10W iPad adapter, if you want to charge at reasonable speed.
 
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Also, keep in mind the "Not Charging" indicator on the iPad is like the light inside your refrigerator. It only shows up when the screen is on. When the screen is off, the iPad is probably still charging, just very very slowly. I bet if you left it plugged in for many hours, you would see the battery percentage slowly creeping upwards.
 
My experience is that the iPad 2 will say not charging but will in fact charge slowly - or decently fast if turned off.

My iPad 3 will actually lose power when plugged into the USB port of my Mac Mini or MacBook Air and charges quite slowly even plugged into the wall.
 
Front USB or keyboard/monitor/USB hub USB ports usually won't charge them but the back ports of a computer should.
 
TLDNR: Max. current for standard USB port is 500mA which isn't going to go far with an iPad3.
^

Most motherboard only offers up to 500mA through USB port.
But a decent motherboard(LGA1155/LGA2011 sockets) offers extra charging power through USBs. My desktop charges iPad the same way they charge through wall outlet.
 
Does this really work? Looks kinda "snake oily".

Yea it does. I have a gigabyte motherboard and this worked fine with no ill effect. I learned that gigabyte also has a utility of this same nature that would work also

But yes, I have been using this extensively and haven't had any issues with it. I think all it does is just change the motherboard to allow a higher amperage to the usb ports
 
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