Using a US iPad Mini in NZ

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MurrayM

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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.

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Mr Snotty
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Reply # 881843 20-Aug-2013 21:38

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

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MurrayM

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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

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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

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Reply # 881865 20-Aug-2013 22:02

Yes, it's just a standard USB.

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tdgeek

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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

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Reply # 881871 20-Aug-2013 22:08

Ok, got it!

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

dickytim

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Reply # 881940 21-Aug-2013 06:54

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

wellygary

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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