Consumer Reports discovers iPad charging issues

I have an ancient Compaq iPaq that had a similar power problem as the iPad. Compaq solved it by having a dual cables. One is the USB (and serial) cord for data, and the other a power cord plugging in to the wall outlet. It's a pain managing two cables for one device, but it does allowed me to charge and sync the iPaq at the same time.

Apple either needs to come out with that sort of cable, or come out with a Mac/Win compatible powered USB hub that supports an iPad.

I just purchased a super-cheap 12-volt charger on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036BVM4S/ref=oss_product

It was $3.47, plus $2.99 shipping, and came from California to Michigan via USPS in 2 days!

It is labelled 1000 MA output, and the iPad does in fact show that it is charging (unlike the USB port on my MacBook Pro, which says "not charging" but is in fact charging, just slowly).

Made in China, looks decent. We'll see how long it lasts.

How does Consumer Reports "discover" something that is already disclosed on the Apple support site for the iPad?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4060

I have an HP at the office and my iPad changes fine with that. It's a slow process since both the HP at the office and my mac book pro have low power USB ports.

I have an early MacBook Pro. My iPad will not charge when connected to it. Bummer!

I'm running a MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo purchased new in 2007 and regardless of which of the three USB ports I try I get "not charging". I just tried turning off the iPad completely and will see if my Mac can charge it. A bit frustrating.

I have an APC powered USB hub that works for everything I use it for - that is except the iPad. When I plug the iPad in, the iPad says "Not Charging". Plugging straight into a USB port on the back of my iMac works though.

I guess it's Apple's version of USB only that works.

It makes perfect sense to me that the device would need to be charged using a wall outlet, and not via a USB port on the computer. A device that big needs a dedicated power source. I currently have it sitting nicely on a dock on the counter. Since I use the device mainly for internet browsing and e-mail (which I find it works well at), I rarely have a need to sync it with itunes. I figure I can sync it once a week (or after I've purchased something).

@Charles: Actually, it might be a problem with your cinema display. All the cinema displays, starting with the ADC connector ones, had to be able to provide at least 1Amp over the 5volt. I don't know how much they actually can provide, but I know they're capable of more than necessary because it was a requirement to drive the USB powered speakers for the G4 Cube.

I wonder if Apple will release a cable with two USB heads at one end, so that you can plug one into the computer for sync and one into your mains adapter for full power. It seems like a logical (if kludgy) solution.