IPad Noob - some questions

Fistycuffs

Is it normal that it won't charge using USB from my computer?

Should I switch it off when I'm not using it and overnight?

Is there a particularly good iPad case that will protect it and disguise it a bit?Are leather cases protective enough?

Also my iPad has 3G. I intend to only use this occasionally so plan to buy the daily pass when I need it. How do I do this?

if I have 3G switched on but am at home in my own wifi zone will the iPad automatically use wifi rather than 3G or do I need to turn off the 3G?
The guy who sold it to me told me the iPad automatically detects wifi & will only use wifi in a wifi area.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer .:)

Creamy Goodness

it should charge from your computer. what usb port do you have it plugged into. i know some computers have usb ports on screens, keyboards, front of the computer that just aren't powerful enough to charge devices like iPad's. try another usb port perhaps.

i don't own one but if i had an iPad i wouldn't switch it off over night much like i never switch my phone off.

don't know anything about cases sorry.

will depend totally on the network provider.

if your ipad is connected to a wifi network all network traffic will be carried over the wifi network.

i don't know if this is true for the iPad but on older iPhones (that don't use iOS 4.0) when the device went into sleep mode (i.e. screen turned off) the wifi connection would also turn off meaning that any push notifications or push email would create a 3G data connection which would cost money if not on a data plan.

Poochie05

Apparently although it says 'not charging' when connected to a USB port it is still charging but not as much as if it was plugged in to the mains. http://www.maclife.com/article/news/ipad_not_charging_message_not_bad_once_thought

There are some threads on cases here and here.
I bought a Snugg case on Amazon and find it suits my needs fine.

On the O2 network I went in to the shop, bought a prepay microSIM for €20 and registered it online. This gave 1 24hr period free 3G and €20 credit. You then just pay as you go, topping up when you need. I'm sure it's similar on other networks. No contract.

I don't know about the device choosing wifi over 3G network when available, so I usually have cellular data switched off (in settings) unless I actually want to connect to the 3G network.

naasrd

No, it won't charge from a computer, it needs extra juice. I just use a wifi iPad but I guess you turn off data roaming in settings.

kjl

don't know what naasrd is on about, have you installed itunes onto the computer, sometimes it need a driver to charge which will be installed with the itunes installation.

naasrd

kjl wrote: »

don't know what naasrd is on about, have you installed itunes onto the computer, sometimes it need a driver to charge which will be installed with the itunes installation.

All I can go on is my own experience and my iPad only syncs with my iMac. Does your iPad charge from your computer?

rivalius13

naasrd wrote: »

No, it won't charge from a computer, it needs extra juice. I just use a wifi iPad but I guess you turn off data roaming in settings.

It will charge from SOME computers, most PC USB ports however don't pump out enough power to do it though (Recent macs will do it fine, apparently).

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/03/apple-ipad-charging-woes-usb-hubs-non-macs-and-weak-ports-not/

Matt Bauer

My iPad charges fine from my computer. However, as has been pointed out, this only works with PC's that can supply enough power via their USB port(s). As a rule of thumb, if your Mac or PC is a recent model, it will work.

Fistycuffs

Thanks very much for the answers everyone.

My laptop is around 3 years old so perhaps that's the cause of the charging problem.
I'm relieved it doesn't mean that I was sold a dud though .

Poochie05: Thanks for the recommendation on the case. There are a bamboozling array of them out there. The Snugg one looks good.

Inquitus

The iPad sucks more juice than the USB provides. SOme motherboard manufacturers have released updated Bios which allow the USB ports to deliver more juice and charge an iPad. Unless you have updated you bios or have a evry new computer, your ipad wont charge from your PC.

Also it doesnt work with iTouch, Classic iPod, iPhone 3GS chargers, which personally I find really fckuing irritating.

Evergreen

If you read the paper work from Apple ( i know, i know...), it says that you can't charge the iPad through the USB port for the very reasons suggested above. However, as also suggested, if your USB has enough output - for example if you use a powered USB hub - then it MAY charge the iPad.

My computer will not charge my iPad, by iPhone car charger will not charge the iPad, in fact my iPhone power supply only just charges the iPad if I leave it in all night.

I have no issues syncing iPad with my computer - Windows 7

Bigcheeze

Inquitus wrote: »

Also it doesnt work with iTouch, Classic iPod, iPhone 3GS chargers, which personally I find really fckuing irritating.

Does it work with an iphone 4 charger ?

J-blk

Bigcheeze wrote: »

Does it work with an iphone 4 charger ?

Yes it does. Though it also works fine with my 3G charger too which doesn't seem to be the case for everyone here...

Fistycuffs

Thanks for the replies everyone.

One other thing I've noticed is that the browser is very slow at times...it's never lightening fast like the iPhone browser. Is this normal for the iPad ?

I'm a bit disappointed in it in this regard. I'm using it on a 7 mb bb wifi connection btw.

naasrd

Fistycuffs wrote: »

Thanks for the replies everyone.

One other thing I've noticed is that the browser is very slow at times...it's never lightening fast like the iPhone browser. Is this normal for the iPad ?

I'm a bit disappointed in it in this regard. I'm using it on a 7 mb bb wifi connection btw.

That is slow. I'm using it on 5mb bb wifi and it zips along most of the time. Maybe download a speedtester and see what your iPad is getting.