Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
complished through AirPlay. Apple TV provides a lot of niceties in its own right, even if you
don't own an iPad. (But if you don't, why are you reading this book?) For example, you can
watch 1080p high-definition TV shows and movies; watch videos on Netflix, Hulu Plus, and
Vimeo; listen to music from your iTunes Library on a PC or Mac; and admire photos through
iCloud, all for $99.
Keeping a spare charger
With roughly ten hours of battery life on the Wi-Fi-only iPad mini and nine hours on models with
cellular access, a single charge can more than get you through a typical workday with your iPad
mini. But why chance it? Having a spare charger at the office can spare you (!) from having to com-
mute with one. The Apple iPad 12W USB Power Adapter sells for $19 and includes a lengthy six-
foot cord.
And if you're traveling abroad, consider the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit. The $39 kit includes
the proper prongs and adapters for numerous countries around the globe, and it lets you juice up not
only your iPad, but also iPhones, iPod touches, and Macs.
Finally, if you have an old iPhone or iPod USB power adapter, or almost any other power adapter
with a USB port, chances are good it'll work, though it may take longer to charge your iPad.
If you try to charge your iPad mini with an adapter that doesn't provide enough
power, nothing bad will happen. Your iPad will merely display a Not Charging message in-
stead of the battery-with-a-lightning-bolt icon you see when your iPad is connected to a char-
ger with sufficient juice.
If you want the iPad mini to work with accessories that plug into the 30-pin dock con-
nector on older iPads or iPods, consider the $29 or $39 Lightning to 30-pin adapters. And if
you need an extra Lightning-to-USB cable, you can purchase extras for $19 (0.5 or 1 meter)
or $29 (2 meters).
You may find third-party off-brand Lightning-to-USB cables for significantly less
money. Don't be tempted to buy one. Our experience has been that many (if not most) are
shoddily constructed; many don't work right out of the box and many more break within
