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I have a black Macbook, I guess that doesn't count as "sufficiently new"
:(

It's not enough to have a USB 2.0 port (those have been around for years). Macs started shipping with "high-power" USB ports that provide significantly more power than the USB spec calls for just in the last couple years or so; these Macs (and presumably Windows computers, if any exist, that provide this service) can charge the iPad.

If you don't have the "high-power" USB port, your Mac will probably not be able to charge the iPad as the result of any future software updates. As for it becoming more widely available, probably the limiting factor is that, AFAIK, this "high-power USB port" thing is completely arbitrary, and no one has an established definition of what one is.

This article provides a few more technical details: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/193451/the_ipads_charging_challenge_explained.html

I couldn't find a list of which Macs have the feature.
 
Can you charge your laptop with a desktop computer? Seriously, USB charging was designed for small devices, not big tablet devices. Bigger screen, more power, bigger battery, bigger power requirements that USB cant offer.
 
So maybe it won't be a quick fix. That being said even charging with high-power USB it takes twice as long as by AC.
 
Mine doesn't say "Not charging" ... It shows the battery charging icon but the percentage never actually changes. But it's definitely receiving power.

Not that big of a deal anyway, as long as I know I have to connect it so I don't go thinking it's been charging for 5 hours and hasn't.
 
So maybe it won't be a quick fix. That being said even charging with high-power USB it takes twice as long as by AC.

I don't have an iPad, but TBH I use the power bricks for everything else, so I wouldn't see it as a major issue either.

I was interested to read that the step up is not only in amperage but also in voltage, for high-powered USB. I wasn't aware that high-power runs at 12VDC....
 
huh? Of course you can charge it thru a USB. You are probably trying to plug it in thru your keyboard. That port isnt powerful enough, you need to plug it into the back of your imac. Works fine on my Macbok too.
 
It does charge but on most machines you need to turn the ipad's screen off by pushing the sleep button. Mine showed no indication of charging but I left it plugged into my Macbook last night and when i got up this morning it was fully charged. It was around 60% last night.
 
huh? Of course you can charge it thru a USB. You are probably trying to plug it in thru your keyboard. That port isnt powerful enough, you need to plug it into the back of your imac. Works fine on my Macbok too.
Did you not read any of this post? :confused:

I remember reading a couple days ago (I think it was here) that the iPad does charge from standard usb ports, just only when the iPad is asleep. Can anyone confirm this?
 
mbell75 is right. The iPad requires more juice, so you have to plug it directly to the computer for it to charge. Plugging it into an usb hub and even a powered usb hub will not charge the iPad.
 
mbell75 is right. The iPad requires more juice, so you have to plug it directly to the computer for it to charge. Plugging it into an usb hub and even a powered usb hub will not charge the iPad.

The original poster has a black Macbook.

s.
 
The original poster has a black Macbook.

s.

Well he should have been more clear then. Hes making it sound like it cannot be charged via USB period, thats not the case. My imac is almost 3 years old and it charges just fine. Time to upgrade some equipment if you really want to charge it thru USB. Takes forever though.
 
IPad does charge battery when in sleep mode

My iPad shows "Not Charging" when in use and connected to my 2007 MacBook Pro.

But when the iPad goes to sleep, and then wakes up the battery percent has gone UP, showing that it does indeed charge when sleeping.

No doubt the 500mA from the USB port is only enough to charge the device, not enough to run it at the same time
 
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