how to tell usb cable for ipad and iphone apart?

Question

Level 2

248 points

how to tell usb cable for ipad and iphone apart?

Hi I have a 6 month old iphone 4 and a newly purchased ipad 2. The usb cable for syncing and charging on the imac look almost identical. I have read that they can be used to charge each other's product but that the iphone cable is very slow in charging the ipad. I was trying to charge my ipad last night after updating and syncing it and it seemed to take forever and I am pretty sure I was using the ipad cable and not the iphone cable. Since they look so much alike, and if we have them plugged in to the back of our computers and leave them there, for example, how can I tell them apart? In the case of my two cables, the white 'head' of one of the cables that plugs into the iphone or ipad is a bit taller and maybe a tiny bit thicker, and while the metal 'male' plug part itself, looks slightly different when you look at them head on, they do both plug in to each item easily. they both have the same icon printed on the while plastic sleeve. So how can I tell which one belongs with the pad once they are hanging there side by side?

thanks so much?

Michelle

iPad 2, iOS 4.3.2

Posted on Jul 30, 2011 9:46 AM

Reply

Answer 1

JasonHB

Level 1

36 points

Jul 30, 2011 10:57 AM in response to BellaMichelle

Hi Michelle,

The 2 cables themselves are identical. The difference in the charging is down to the adaptor which you plug in to then electrical socket. The one for the iPad is a higher current and charges the iPad quicker than an iPhone charger would.

With regards to plugging the iPad into your iMac is concerned, there will be no difference in charging time regardless of which cable you use. It will charge at the slower rate due to the limited current available on the USB port on the computer.

I hope this helps.

Jason

Reply

Answer 2

King_Penguin

Level 10

334,324 points

Jul 30, 2011 10:58 AM in response to BellaMichelle

The actual should be the same - some older iPods had firewire connections as opposed to USB, but all are now USB (I think) and are the same whatever the device. The wall charger itself is different as the iPad needs to be more powerful (10W instead of 5W) so as to charge it efficiently - but you can use the iPad charger safely with iPhones and iPods (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4327)

Reply

Answer 3

Demo

Level 10

166,747 points

Jul 30, 2011 6:59 PM in response to BellaMichelle

One final note ... I use an extension cord plugged into a power strip with the power adapter for the simple reason that I have more electrical doo-dads than I have available wall sockets. This configuration works fine for me. There are longer cables available as well. Take a look at this one.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/H1826ZM/A?mco=MTg3MTE5MTk

Happy Summer to you as well from the smokin' hot 'burgh!

Reply

Answer 4

elvisn

Level 1

0 points

Jul 30, 2011 11:04 AM in response to BellaMichelle

Hi Michelle,

Twice Cabel is identical I think. you must use this USB cable supplied with the charger. I think it is not advisable to load the ipad on computer or mac because it take more time for a full charge.

Best regards,

Elvis

Reply

Answer 5

Jul 30, 2011 11:12 AM in response to elvisn

The newer USB cables have more flattened edges on the back of the USB port. I like to keep the newer cable with the newer iPad power adapter and use it for both the iPad and iPhone.

I get the impression that the squarer iPad USB cable handles more power to pass through the cable, but I don't have any empirical data to support that.

As for charging on the iMac, the other responses are correct that it won't charge that fast in comparison with the power adapter.

Reply

Answer 6

Demo

Level 10

166,747 points

Jul 30, 2011 11:48 AM in response to BellaMichelle

I have an iPad original and a 4th generation iPod Touch. As long as I use the 10W power adapter that came with the iPad to charge the iPad, it makes no difference which cable I use.

In fact I leave one cable plugged into the 10W iPad power adapter at all times and one cable plugged into my MacBook at all times. Now I can't remember which one is which because it doesn't matter. All of my iDevices sync just fine with the cable that is plugged into the MacBook and iPad charges just fine with the other cable.

Like many of the other users out there, I must have a dozen of these cables laying all over the place and they all work interchangeably.

Reply

Answer 7

BellaMichelle Author

Level 2

248 points

Jul 30, 2011 6:38 PM in response to BellaMichelle

Thanks everybody, I appreciate the varied replies. I have not used my wall charger simply because I live in an older house and I don't have a great place to plug one in that has a good surface to leave the ipad. I might think of how to plug it in to my power strip and leave it poking up on my desk for the times it needs charging. So, I've been using the usb cable and port on my imac to charge it. It has worked, but as I mentioned, it seemed slow so I thought I might have the wrong cord. But I now understand that the usb cord will be a slower charging station for the ipad and will make my decisions with this information.

I might look for a charging dock.. I remember seeing one SOME PLACE but now cannot remember, that had a dock for the iphone and the ipad on the same stand. That might be a good thing to have.

Anyway, thank you for clarifying the cords and explaining that they usb to imac is slower no matter the cord.

Happy Summer!

Michelle

in the PNW where it finally warmed up!

Reply