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PC Adaptor for iPad $0.20 @ Dick Smith Plus Generic Earphones for $0.01 (Click and Collect Only)

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Another deal from DSE loose change menu
PC Adaptor for iPad only $0.20

Direct link: http://dicksmith.com.au/product/XC6714/adaptor-for-pc-for-ip…

I had a quick search against 3 major cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) - plenty of stock

As per DSE website: The PC Adaptor for iPad allows you to charge iPad via PC. Charge iPad through Original USB Data cable from PC / Laptop USB Port. Because the USB connector of iPad is different from iPhone just keep this iPad adaptor, and there will be no need to get a new AC/Charger.

Model #: Catalogue #: XC6714

Had a look in eBay - hard to find a similar item. However price for a mini chargers/adaptors are from $1.50

UPDATE

Also Found 2 different coloured generic 3.5mm earphones for $0.01. Of course the quality is not the best… but costs only 1 cent if you can find them in your local DSE. My local DSE (Toombul QLD) have them in stock

  1. Green Boxing Kangaroo Earphones:
    http://dicksmith.com.au/product/C7288/boxing-kangaroo-earpho…

  2. Aussie Flag In Ear Earphones:
    http://dicksmith.com.au/product/C7287/aussie-flag-in-ear-ear…

UPDATE 2

Try your luck for a $5 Dick Smith 2GB MP3 Player (Red Colour)

http://dicksmith.com.au/product/A8698/dick-smith-2gb-mp3-pla…

Related Stores

Dick Smith / Kogan
Dick Smith / Kogan
Marketplace

closed Comments

  • +15
    • +2

      lol…a true Ozbargainer.

    • +1

      Will get that for my home PC, but the adapter is good for my work PC where they don't have that utility installed.

    • +3

      the adapter is far more useful than a software. you can use it on ANY computers.

    • Tried this before, doesn't work for my computer.

  • +15

    I don't quite know what it is, but for 20 cents it's a bragain!

    • +1

      Usually you can't charge iPads via pc due to voltage issues, but this fixes that. You can also get Ai Charger as stated above, I have had it for 4 months and it works great but not useful for PCs you cant install on like work, uni, etc.

      • How exactly does it address that issue though?

        If it just tricks the iPad into charging maybe it is not such a good idea?

        • Well if it uses the same idea as Ai charger, it hasn't done my pc or iPad any harm thus far, and havent heard of it doing so :)

          And i don't think they would mass clear it if it was doing damage to consumers, be a lot of angry calls next week if so…

  • +1

    This is a bargain, just order one with the Sydney store with click and collect! Thanks!

  • +1

    wtf is this!?

    • I think because normally USB is not powerful enough to charge iPad but how it can give more power I don't understand.

      I use to charge my smartphone with my computer even when it is off.

      • i know the ipad charger is say 10somethings-amps? as opposed to 5somethings of the iphone charger.
        USB is the 5amps too?

        • +13

          USB only does 5 amps

          Source Volt Current Power
          PC USB 5 volts 0.5 amps 2.5 Watts
          iPhone Charger 5 volts 1.0 amps 5 Watts
          iPad Charger (old) 5.1 volts 2.1 amps 10 watts

          Your PC's USB port will charge an iPad, but it takes 4x longer (as you can see from the table)

        • excellent table.

          so will this break my usb hehe.

        • Note that many newer desktop motherboards have an "iPad fast charge" mode.

          One of mine has it, though I think you need to install a special charging application that comes with the mobo.

        • Add USB3 ports to your table. The spec for USB3 ports is 5 Volts at 0.9 Amps, probably due to concerns from USB-powered HDD manufacturers saying "not enough power"!

        • -1

          5 amps doesn't sound right. Do you mean 5V?

        • Duh..

    • its makes your computer faster by 20x!

  • +1

    For those who want to know what is this for:

    Normal USB port will only provide 0.5A of electric current. This is enough for recharging small gadget like iphone, 2.5 inch ext hdd etc. For iPad or other tablets will require 1.0A current to be charged. This small thing will "convert" the USB port from 0.5A to 1.0A so that you can charge iPad.

    However, some instances show that this might actually made the usb port faulty after using adapter similar to this.

    • OK but how can ASUS did that by software? My understand the software will enable USB charging in off mode but how can a software convert it to 1A?

    • +1

      I thought this simply "re-wires" the USB port so that the computer does not detect the iPad as a mass storage (or MTP) device, which allows the port to charge the device only, and not allow syncing.

    • +2

      This adapter will charge iPads - just slowly as Scrimshaw above has noted. However many hubs and some motherboards put out 1A on some of their USB ports so the adapter still has plenty of value - especially at just 20c!

      • +1

        Hoxygt has it right. Most (perhaps all?) USB-powered hard drives draw more than 500mA, so they wouldn't work if your motherboard only put out 500mA. Note that there probably ARE some motherboards (or perhaps laptops?) that only put out 500mA, which is why the manufacturers of USB hard drives give you the option to purchase an optional USB Y-cable to power your USB HDD.

    • +4

      siuol, you cannot convert 0.5A to 1.0A without at least halving the voltage. This adaptor does NOT convert any voltages or currents, it simply re-wires the USB socket so the iPad thinks it is attached to an Apple-branded charger.

      What instances show this might make the USB port faulty? NO instances. Only harm this adaptor may do is add a little extra weight to the USB port, which may break the port off if you have the adaptor plus a heavy cable attached. Or buying a similar style cheap adapter with faulty wiring off eBay from Hong Kong - but the DSE adaptor should be reasonably well constructed, so this shouldn't be an issue.

      It's scary the number of people commenting on voltage/current issues with absolutely no knowledge of the subject matter.

      • Good education. I always have had an idea that they actually make this happen because if the resistance is halved then (having the same resistant value on board being parallel in the circuit) then the current can be double.

  • +1

    Try your luck for a $5 Dick Smith 2GB MP3 Player (Red Colour)

    http://dicksmith.com.au/product/A8698/dick-smith-2gb-mp3-pla…

    • Too bad no stock in my area.

  • +1

    The new ipad official charger is rated at 5.1 volts output at 2.5 amps.

    This 2.5 amps is fairly hefty compared to some of the normal phone chargers.

    The usb socket on a PC supplies about 500 milliamps [1/2 of 1 amp]at 5 volts.

    These figures are printed in very small letters on the ipad charger.

    In theory the PC usb socket will charge the ipad very slowly due to the max current draw from the pc usb socket of around 500ma [1.2 amp]This 500ma is 5 times lower than the official charger.

  • +2

    For the items that are 1 cent… they are effectively free. Ask to pay cash and it will be rounded down to $0.00

  • +1

    I don't like the sound of this product. If a computer USB port is only designed to carry 500ma current, I would not be using some cheapo device to essentially 'overclock' (or however it works) my USB port to provide enough current to charge my iPad. I would think the risk to the port/wiring/mobo would be deterrent enough alone.

    If you compare the iPad AC charger to the iPhone AC charger, I would have to presume that there is a reason why the cables are so much thicker.

    • +1

      I think there may be confusion - the software the first poster linked too should be disregarded.

      The adapter for 20c will not damage your USB post or change its current output, its just a very cheap adapter.

      • Then forgive my ignorance but what is it 'adapting'? What's the difference between plugging in via the adaptor and plugging in straight to the computer if the current output is the same?

        • I assume it disconnects the 'data' lines and just gives the 0 and +5v pins

  • Also, bought one of the iPad chargers and earphones, a lot of stock left in sydney as OP stated. Good research and deal :)

    • Just has a look at the DS Sydney Basement Store (opp Myer) - couldn't see the iPad 20c PC adaptors anywhere on the shelves - unless they were being the counter.

      Anyway - it was busy - may head back after 5.00pm with collection order

      JUST TO NOTE : now shows Sydney out of stock !.

  • +1

    Damn you ozbargain :D
    Beaten to each of them by fifteen minutes according to the dick smith guy

  • Double post

    • Which one? Link please?

      • +1

        he meant double comment/reply :P

      • +1

        Yeah sorry, my bad.

  • Anyone else having a problem trying to find store stock of the MP3 player? Keeps going to a blank page for me, yet the rest of them work fine.

    Nevermind, working now.

  • +7

    If I don't have iTunes installed on my netbook, my iPod Shuffle refuses to charge. It also won't charge if plugged into my HTC mobile phone charger, or my generic USB car cigarette lighter socket charger. However, with this 20c adaptor from DSE, the iPod charges when plugged into ANY USB port or powered hub. I bought six of them, so now I can use any random charger anywhere, instead of having to carry the Apple charger around with me.

    These adaptors also work well for charging iPads, iPods and the iPod Shuffle from standard USB chargers. Usually if you plug an iPod or iPad into a 'normal' (non-Apple branded) USB charger, the iPod won't charge. Apple-branded stuff requires a couple of resistors in the circuit to trick the iPod into thinking it is plugged into a computer or an Apple-branded charger. There's a good explanation of what's happening here on iLounge:
    http://forums.ilounge.com/ipod-nano/209497-why-dont-generic-…

    Unfortunately the blurb on the back of the adaptor box is quite misleading: "Most PC's do not provide sufficient output power to charge iPad or iPad 2. This adaptor allows charging of iPad or iPad 2 from any PC." - This couldn't be further from the truth. It was clearly written by somebody who has no idea what they're talking about. Obviously the USB port CAN provide sufficient output power, otherwise this adaptor would NEVER work! All this adaptor does is trick the iPad into thinking it's plugged into an Apple-branded charger.

    For people concerned about this adaptor doing something weird with voltages or zapping their iPad, don't worry. A 'normal' USB port only outputs 500mA maximum. From memory the standard iPad charger outputs 1.5A. Your iPad will charge just fine using this adapter, it just may take three times longer to reach full charge, because there's only a third of the normal current flowing.

    • Thanks for the explanation. That would make sense. Cheers!

    • Would this affect a first gen ipod shuffle? Because I used to charge it via a blackberry USB charger until now when it does nothing at all (no lights or anything) when plugged into the computer or the same charger. Was yours like that when it refused to charge?

  • The MP3 is out of stock in most of Sydney:
    http://i.imgur.com/Einu3.jpg

    • I got the 3.5mm cable today at Point Cook, thanks!

  • +1

    I reckon it's a new plan by dick smith. Get people into the store for 1c deals (who wouldn't normally come anyway) and hope they buy stuff too. Basically a loss leader

    • Dick Smith is closing down soon. So I assume that they are getting rid of their stock

      • really… maybe they have been SOLD to another entity ;)

  • +5

    Pardon my ignorance, how does one find the "loose change menu" at DSE? It isn't obvious from their home page.

    • tips hat to you

    • Same :-)
      Google only results in OzBargain or McDonalds links.

  • who cleared the stock from DS on George street??!! a couple of hours ago, there were plenty in stock, now all gone!!!:(

    i had to order from some a shop in Eastgarden and ask my former workmate to collect for me.

  • we cleared out brisbane queen st mall.
    fun times.

  • DS is a joke..as I posted earlier I ordered one from their Sydney store via "click and collect" and popped into the store about 15 mins ago to collect and they said they never had any in stock! It's just bait advertising to get people into their stores….

    • +1

      So why did you go in if you hadn't received the confirmation that it was ready to collect?

    • sitting here with the DS email…. 'We'll send you a text to confirm when your order is ready for collection"… that was at 10.51am…. nothing received………… oh well !!

      As for the bait - not biting otherwise :)

    • +2

      you can't collect until you get the second email saying ready to collect. YOu should also get an SMS saying the same.

  • Was told at dick smith winston hills they had to charge me 5c per item , meh not bad for 10c all up

    • -1

      Was told the same when I picked up my 1c iPod Touch cover. Handed over five cents, he rang it up, gave me my five cents change back. Laughin'.

  • The store i went said NO CASH … CREDIT CARDS / EFTPOS <- usually the other way around

  • can confirm these babies work.
    improves charge times for other stuff too. ie. android phone.

    • +1

      "improves charge times for other stuff too. ie. android phone"
      thats some magical powers it must have to speed up charge times

  • Well - nice to see someone (probably from here) clear out the Sydney southern suburbs - noted 4 stores had some, only to go back 10mins later to see them 'out of stock' (granted that they may have had limited).

  • 5x adapters left @ coffs harbour store..got me 3 for family members…bargin

  • I'd like to thank you ozbargainers for clearing out the stock of these adaptors so quickly today at my store =]

  • got an adapter in canberra (belkers) but no earphones or those bud lights on the other DS posting… +1 anyway

  • My store at castle hill NSW is closing and has them for 15c lol, probably 20 odd on the shelf today!

  • I plugged this into the USB port of a cheapo FM Transmitter and could charge my iPhone for a few second until it (presumably) failed to draw enough power. It was one of these http://www.catchoftheday.com.au/images/fm_transmitter/fm_tra… for $5 of ebay.

    Anyone else have any luck with other models? I'd like to ditch the clunky socket doubler for the cig lighter socket in my car.

    • I don't think you can do that with fm transmitter because they don't have enough power at all and this device will not increase the power.

  • u cant charge the ipad using a regular USB port????

    • you can but it will take a longer time

      • Oh Ok…. Dont have an Ipad… but good to know!

  • +1

    Picked up one of these yesterday in Melb (click & collect) thanks OP :)

    This adaptor effectively turns your Charge & Sync cable into a Charge-only cable. It powers my iPad 2 screen and charges it at the same time. Usually it does not do both.

    For 20 cents, I'm happy! I can't remember the last time I used a 50 cent coin to purchase something and got handed back 30 cents change! Lol

    N.B. you cannot access the device in Windows Explorer or iTunes, which suits me most of the time anyway.

    I tested it on my ASUS Laptop (U30SD, running on battery only) and a Normal USB 2 Port.

    I'd be very careful with that ASUS Software, I tried it once (on my ASUS) and had very bad results, not to mention that it did not work. This was 6 months ago, not sure if it's improved since.

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