iPad USB Charging Issue is a Big Bummer

I think the iPad is the first USB powered device that requires a high powered USB port.  I have seen a few external hard drives that won’t run at all on the lower powered ports on older computers.

The issue is that some manufacturers produce cheap non-standard compliant products: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_hub#Power

The issue isn’t with non-standard hubs.  On the contrary, it’s that the iPad requires a “high-power” USB port, which is not standard on most products.

To get a little technical, the USB power standard is 5 Volts at 500 Milliamps. Almost all devices, with the exception of the newest Macs use this standard.  The Apple iPad requires a 12 Volt/1200mA port to charge at normal speed and while powered on. Macworld provided a great explanation here: http://www.macworld.com/article/150356/2010/04/ipadcharging.html

We definitely feel that:
1) Apple should be more forthcoming about this in their product materials - not being able to charge normally on the vast majority of consumer devices is something potential buyers should know about.
2) Given #1, supply a decent length cable for outlet charging, rather than the far-too-short 3’ included cable.  How much would it cost Apple to include a practical 6’ cable instead?  An extra 42 cents?

For a product that otherwise hits the bullseye in many other user experience areas, this was way off the mark.

Josh,
Those are valid points about the USB (now that I know the details).  Perhaps Apple meant the USB to be used to transfer data instead of charging the device. In any case, they should be clear about the requirements for charging the iPad.

I don’t mind a 3 ft cord.  I don’t think the iPad (like the iPhone or iPod Touch) is meant to be used while charging.  However, I could see how people used to a laptop metaphor of computing might expect otherwise.

The iPad charging slowly on older Mac’s and Window PC’s is a bit of a bummer. It is a bit strange why Apple made the power cord for the iPad so short in the first place, it shouldn’t be so difficult charging it and using it at the same time. Thanks for the help!