Support
Best charging solutions for iPads and tablets
After all, as fabulous as mobile technology is, charging it is part and parcel of the modern world.
Which begs the question, what are the best charging solutions for iPads and tablets?
Well often that depends on exactly how that tablet or iPad is used. But to assist, here’s a quick guide on some of the options available to have you powered up and ready to go.
A quality cable
Not all charging cables are created equal, and that can have an impact on the cable’s lifespan, along with its charging consistency.
Although they may cost a little more than your generic versions, seek out quality cables that offer the following features:
- Quality materials – is it durable and flexible or cheap plastic? Opt for a reinforced cable where you can in order to avoid the cable cracking or splitting prematurely.
- Cord length – Charging cords range in length, so consider how and where will you be charging your iPad or tablet. This question determines the length of the cord you should go for.
- Protected charging head – By nature, charging cables have some weak spots and one of them is the charging head, which takes the brunt of all that pushing and pulling. Look for a reinforced charging head.
Learn more about selecting the right tablet or iPad charging cable here.
Need for speed
Regardless of whether your device charges via USB-C, the lightning charger, or mini-USB, some chargers deliver a faster charge than others.
The difference here comes down to the watts. Basically, the higher the wattage of the charger that you plug into the wall, the faster the charge, so look for an option with a bit of extra power.
For example, MacWorld notes that although they may look the same, a standard iPhone charger offers about 5W, while an iPad charger delivers 12W.
If you’re using a multi-charger, (aka a charging bank with multiple USB outlets) you might also notice there are different wattages listed for the different USB ports.
The outlets with the higher wattage deliver a faster charge.
Meanwhile, if you’re charging off a laptop, using a standard USB port might slow your charging down, while a USB-C port will speed things up. Standard USB generally delivers around 2.5W, while a USB-C connection can charge devices up to 20 times faster.
The cable load
In addition to some chargers offering a faster charge than others, some cables are better equipped to carry that faster charge. How? Well, despite the fact all cables essentially look the same on the outside, inside the width of the two internal power wires makes a difference.
As experts explain, wires can have different gauges. A standard cable is 28 gauge and is capable of about .5A. A faster charger cable has larger internal wires (mostly 24 gauge) that can carry larger currents of 2A or more.
That’s why it might pay to opt for a cable which boasts ‘fast charging’.
The right angle
Featured product: 6.5 Foot Right Angled Charging Cable
So now we’ve got speed and quality out of the way, what about the angle that you’d like to charge your device at?
Although cables commonly offer a straight angle at the charging head, right angled cables are also available.
So why would you consider a right angle? Well, if you’re regularly using your device in landscape mode, this might just be a better option, particularly if your device is constantly plugged in for purposes like mPOS or kiosks.
Concealed charging
If your device is generally used in a static position, you might also want to look for solutions that conceal the charging cable.
Say for example your tablet or iPad is housed in a tablet stand and attached to a wall or countertop for use as mPOS, a visitor registration system, or an information kiosk.
In these instances, you probably aren’t going to want to see those charging cords or risk someone tripping over them. Which is where concealed cable management comes in.
This sees your cables either channelled through the tablet stand and base or via the wall.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Featured product: Power over Ethernet Adaptor
We can’t discuss charging solutions without mentioning Power over Ethernet (PoE) as this solution offers a great way to charge and power iPads or tablets without the need for additional powerpoints.
So what is it, and how does it work?
PoE is a standard which allows a simple ethernet cable to transfer data and/or power.
It’s generally used to power low wattage devices and is becoming the tool of choice for delivering power to remote areas while also eliminating the need to install extra power points to accommodate devices.
PoE requires minimal expertise to deploy, and can be readily retrofitted into wall cavities, making it an ideal option for powering iPads and tablets in commercial environments.
