Apple iPod USB Power Adapter

iPod USB Power Adapter

Strengths: well made, white, does not take much space on power strip,

Weakness: white, no cable, expensive

Very happy with adapter. Well made, white, does not take much space on power strip. I like white. Using it to power external 2.5" Hard drive. Apple products usually work better than most manufacturers.

By drdekay - Mar 15, 2007

Meets all expectations

Strengths: Charges easily all full size iPods (4Gen and later), 2Gen mini, and Shuffle

Weakness: Cost, not included with full size iPod (5Gen video)

I've had a shuffle for a while, and never purchased this charger, as I could always charge it through my powered USB2 hub if the computer wasn't on. But I just recently bought a 5G (video) iPod and, although I wasn't surprised, it didn't come with this adapter. Since the battery life for video can be short, and thought I might have the need to power the iPod away from the computer. An added bonus...
Read Full Review

I've had a shuffle for a while, and never purchased this charger, as I could always charge it through my powered USB2 hub if the computer wasn't on. But I just recently bought a 5G (video) iPod and, although I wasn't surprised, it didn't come with this adapter. Since the battery life for video can be short, and thought I might have the need to power the iPod away from the computer. An added bonus is that I can charge my shuffle as well with it.

Also note, if you have enabled disk mode with a shuffle, the light continually blinks orange when charging, never turning green to indicate a complete charge, if it is not "ejected" from Windows. The shuffle also blinks orange with USB hubs, never letting you know when it's done (you have to estimate, 3-4 hours for full charge.) However, with this Apple adapter, it WILL tell you when it is complete, whether or not you have enabled disk mode.

Nothing special to note about its features when charging a full size iPod, except that you must have your USB/dock connector cable with you to plug it into the adapter.

Airport Express will also charge any iPod this adapter does, but I don't want to carry around this $100+ device for charging. The same flaw noted with the shuffle and powered USB2 hubs mentioned above, however, is present in this situation.

Shuffle only users: Rethink this purchase -- how often are you actually going to be away from your computer and how often do you actually charge it now?

Yes, I'm happy, but I think the cost is a bit high, even with my 10% academic discount from Apple. Not absolutely necessary for everybody. Perhaps I could have gone with a generic alternative, but would be slightly worried that it could blow up or something, and I also have some of Apple international adapter plugs that work well with this adapter. In other words, the Apple white always looks cool...

By compcons - Nov 4, 2005

iPod USB Power Adapter

Strengths: Lightweight. Portable. Able to purchase different plugs for foreign country use.

Weakness: Shape could be different to reduce the distance the unit sticks out from the outlet.

This is a nice add-on for the iPod. The power adapter is lightweight and portable, making it great for travel when you won't have computer access. The shape is the only real drawback. If you have a tight space where you want to keep it plugged in, you may be disappointed. The unit does stick out from the outlet further than most AC/DC converters. Take it along, if your car is equipped with an...
Read Full Review

This is a nice add-on for the iPod. The power adapter is lightweight and portable, making it great for travel when you won't have computer access.

The shape is the only real drawback. If you have a tight space where you want to keep it plugged in, you may be disappointed. The unit does stick out from the outlet further than most AC/DC converters.

Take it along, if your car is equipped with an outlet, to play music on long car trips.

By gregwolff1978 - Jul 7, 2005

I can't believe I had to pay for this

Strengths: It works, that's about it

Weakness: EXPENSIVE

Please tell me why we have to pay for the ability to charge our ipods? I really hate the fact that you have to pay for something so simple. All the accessories for the ipods are a ripoff. I would recommend getting a cheap belkin accessory over this. the one thing I can say about this is that it works.

By takido - Oct 16, 2005

Does what it's supposed to... Charge

Strengths: Uses USB Cable Included with iPods

Weakness: Price, Size

It's unfortunate that Apple doesn't include the power adapter with the iPod shuffle, the iPod nano and the newer iPod mini's... forcing users to shell out an additional $30 if they want to charge their iPods away from the computer. With that said, the product does what it's supposed to: charge. You no longer have to leave your computer on with your iPod plugged in if you want to charge it. My...
Read Full Review

It's unfortunate that Apple doesn't include the power adapter with the iPod shuffle, the iPod nano and the newer iPod mini's... forcing users to shell out an additional $30 if they want to charge their iPods away from the computer.

With that said, the product does what it's supposed to: charge. You no longer have to leave your computer on with your iPod plugged in if you want to charge it.

My only complaints are that it's too pricey for something that should've been included with the iPods... and that it's moderately large when compared to chargers for other electronic devices.

By j4y_7 - Oct 4, 2005