Using a US iPad Mini in NZ

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › Using a US iPad Mini in NZ

MurrayM

1499 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 173

Topic # 128709 20-Aug-2013 21:30

A friend of mine won an iPad Mini in a competition and it was shipped out from the US with an American power plug.

What does she need to do to be able to charge it in NZ?

Does she need a whole new charger or what?

My understanding is that the iPad Mini has the new Lightning connector, if that makes any difference.

1 | 2

Mr Snotty
8025 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4015

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 881843 20-Aug-2013 21:38

Just charge it from any USB charger rated at 2 Amps or above :)

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
A quick guide to picking the right ISP | The Router Guide | Community UniFi Cloud Controller | Ubiquiti Edgerouter Tutorial

MurrayM

1499 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 173

Reply # 881863 20-Aug-2013 22:01

I haven't seen the cable so I don't know what it looks like, but does the Lightning cable just have the Lightning connector at one end and a standard USB at the other? And then Apple throws in a power adaptor for whatever country and that can accept the USB connector? I guess that make sense, I just expected Apple to make it harder than that (i.e. an all-in-one cable and power adaptor and you're forced to buy only an Apple model)

tdgeek

13602 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2454

Trusted

Reply # 881864 20-Aug-2013 22:02

The power plug is international, it will work on 110/240V and 50/60Hz, so you could buy a US to NZ adapter, they should be really cheap.

The Lightning adaptor is no issue as the power plug is JUST a power plug (no cable), the standard USB connector that plugs into the PC , plugs into the adaptor.

You can just avoid the plug altogether but USB charging from a PC is slow, its probably not running at 2.1 amps. (iPhone is .5 amps), FYI. Not sure how safe a third party plug is, given the recent issue.

Inphinity

2525 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 939

Subscriber

Reply # 881865 20-Aug-2013 22:02

Yes, it's just a standard USB.

Windows 7 x64 // i5-3570K // 16GB DDR3-1600 // GTX660Ti 2GB // Samsung 830 120GB SSD // OCZ Agility4 120GB SSD // Samsung U28D590D @ 3840x2160 & Asus PB278Q @ 2560x1440
Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900I w/Spark

tdgeek

13602 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2454

Trusted

Reply # 881868 20-Aug-2013 22:05

MurrayM: I haven't seen the cable so I don't know what it looks like, but does the Lightning cable just have the Lightning connector at one end and a standard USB at the other? And then Apple throws in a power adaptor for whatever country and that can accept the USB connector? I guess that make sense, I just expected Apple to make it harder than that (i.e. an all-in-one cable and power adaptor and you're forced to buy only an Apple model)

As stated, Apple uses the standard USB connection!! Not proprietary off course....never. (Well not on half the cable anyways)

MurrayM

1499 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 173

Reply # 881871 20-Aug-2013 22:08

Ok, got it!

Thanks guys, I'll pass on that info to my friend.

dickytim

2515 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 541
Inactive user

Reply # 881940 21-Aug-2013 06:54

You can buy a "duck head" for the apple chargers from Trade me cheap as chips.

wellygary

3451 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 958

Reply # 881988 21-Aug-2013 09:21

dickytim: You can buy a "duck head" for the apple chargers from Trade me cheap as chips.

Although I had read in a few places that the US ipad minis shipped with a US iphone mini charger that did not have swappable duck heads,

tdgeek

13602 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2454

Trusted

Reply # 881994 21-Aug-2013 09:36

wellygary:
dickytim: You can buy a "duck head" for the apple chargers from Trade me cheap as chips.

Although I had read in a few places that the US ipad minis shipped with a US iphone mini charger that did not have swappable duck heads,

Good spotting, wasn't aware of that. Also, there are issues with third party chargers where they have exploded. Apple are replacing them for genuine chargers at a low cost. Given all the above, and if the US charger was a one piece, probably best to bite the bullet and get a genuine plug here?

MurrayM

1499 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 173

Reply # 882011 21-Aug-2013 09:58

I'll have to get my friend to check to see if the cable unplugs from the adaptor or if it's all in one.

knoydart

859 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 135

Trusted

Reply # 882014 21-Aug-2013 10:00

I think that even though the device was won in a competition, it should be supplied with a NZ plug. See Energy Safety for more information information

dickytim

2515 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 541
Inactive user

Reply # 882129 21-Aug-2013 12:23

knoydart: I think that even though the device was won in a competition, it should be supplied with a NZ plug. See Energy Safety for more information information

I assumed the competition was run overseas by an overseas company, I would have expected that if it was run locally they would have supplied the NZ version.

Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 265

Subscriber

Reply # 882131 21-Aug-2013 12:24

tdgeek: Apple are replacing them for genuine chargers at a low cost.

Do you know which retailers in NZ are doing this?

Behodar

6314 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1082

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 882132 21-Aug-2013 12:28

Satch:
tdgeek: Apple are replacing them for genuine chargers at a low cost.

Do you know which retailers in NZ are doing this?

According to the site, you do it at a service provider.

Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 265

Subscriber

Reply # 882134 21-Aug-2013 12:36

Behodar:
Satch:
tdgeek: Apple are replacing them for genuine chargers at a low cost.

Do you know which retailers in NZ are doing this?

According to the site, you do it at a service provider.

Thanks I saw that but it is very vague. So I can go into any Authorised Apple Dealer on their website and they will swap my third party charger and $15 for a genuine Apple one?

1 | 2