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    Powered USB?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by jaakobi, Apr 23, 2010.

  1. jaakobi

    jaakobi Notebook Evangelist

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    The latest Thinkpads have "Powered USB". Is there any advantage of Powered USB over Always on USB? Does it provide more power than a standard USB port? Can it charge an iPad? :)
     
    jaakobi, Apr 23, 2010
    #1
  2. talin

    talin Notebook Prophet

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    The always-on is just that, even when the computer is off the USB ports provide power so you can charge stuff like your ipod, what-have-you. The yellow powered port is just that, a powered USB port, so you can run things that require more power than a standard USB port can provide, without the need to get a powered USB hub. I don't know though how much power it provides.
     
    talin, Apr 23, 2010
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  3. jaakobi

    jaakobi Notebook Evangelist

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    Does anyone know how much power it can supply? Is it enough for an iPad to charge?
     
    jaakobi, Apr 23, 2010
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  4. t30power

    t30power Notebook Deity

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    Check the ipad power requirements.
    I really dont know the difference between Always on vs powered port.
     
    t30power, Apr 24, 2010
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  5. k2001

    k2001 Notebook Deity

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    k2001, Apr 24, 2010
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  6. talin

    talin Notebook Prophet

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    Think of it as, when the computer is off, the USB ports are still on (to provide the standard USB power). That's your always on. The yellow USB port is the "powered" port, just like a powered USB hub. It just provides more power than a standard USB port. :)
     
    talin, Apr 24, 2010
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  7. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    Not trying to sound trite, but doesn't anyone use Google anymore?

    http://www.poweredusb.org/whatispusb.html

    Powered USB provides up to 6 Amps of power at 5V, 12V, or 24V (although I think only 5V is possible on the T410s). 5V * 6 Amps = 30 watts.

    Regular USB provides up to 500 milliAmps at 5v. 5v * 0.5 Amps = 2.5 watts.

    This is NOT the same as a standard USB hub with an external power brick (still only 2.5 watts, but can generally provide 2.5 watts to EACH device rather than 2.5 watts total to ALL devices).

    I have seen reports that the iPad requires up to 10 watts to charge ( source and VERY thorough review). Therefore, powered USB should work (regular can provide a very slow trickle if the iPad is off), but you'll need to verify that with Apple or at least someone with an iPad.
     
    jonlumpkin, Apr 24, 2010
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