Apple iPad Dock Review

I have been waiting for the iPad with great anticipation months before it came out. It's become the most important electronic device I own right after my Macbook and iPhone, ahead of my LCD TV and everything else I own. I carry it around with me everywhere I go. With all the accessories available, I purchased a carrying case to protect it and the Apple iPad dock first. The iPad Dock is more than just a charging port, I use it as display stand for movies and and as a second monitor. Furthermore, having it connected to a dock protects it from accidents just lying on my desk.

For those with an iPhone dock, you will notice the iPad dock is much larger to support the larger size and weight of the iPad. The bottom of dock has a sticky finish to keep in it one place. The dock keeps the iPad in a portrait (i.e. horizontal) orientation and the iPad is not fully upright but angled slightly. To charge the iPad the dock comes with the standard Apple 30-pin connector. The dock does not come with an extra USB or AC charger. You must use the USB cable and 10W charger included with the iPad to interface with your computer or plug into a wall outlet for power.

In addition to its charging function, you can use the dock to connect to a TV or projector by connecting the appropriate cables.

3 options to connect your iPad to other video devices:

1) iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter or the

2) Apple Component

3) Composite AV Cable

In conclusion, the standard Dock is an essential accessory you should get when you purchase your iPad. Apple does make a Dock with an attached keyboard. It's a matter of preference, but this author purchased the standard Dock with the Apples Wireless Bluetooth keyboard. I simply like to be untethered to my device. Again, it's a matter of preference. You can read our review on both the Apple Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard and the Apple iPad Keyboard Dock.

Quick Tip: While charging on your pod, you can go into your settings and turn your iPad in a digital photo/picture frame display. I get a lot of rave reviews from my coworkers when I do that!

John Noel has been a Apple user and technology expert for over a decade. He is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley holding a Masters in Computer Science. Come visit his website at http://www.myappworld.com/ which helps people find the best iPad products like the Apple iPad Dock as well as the latest reviews of iPad and iPhone Apps.