Apple is developing a 17-watt power adapter for an unknown product, reports AppleInsider. At 17 watts, the adapter uses slightly more power than the current iPad (12 watts) but significantly less than the MacBook Air (45 watts). It also uses more power than the iPhone or the Apple TV, which ship with 5-watt and 6-watt adapters, respectively.

People familiar with the matter say Apple just recently began the process of procuring low-cost components for the new 17-watt adapter. And while the exact nature of its parent product remains somewhat of an unknown, at least one person familiar with adapter's design believes existing evidence points to be a portable product which could launch within the next 12 months.

It's also said that the new 17-watt adapter is not intended as an upgrade to an existing Apple product line, such as the anticipated fifth-generation iPad. That device is instead expected to ship with the same 12-watt adapter.

Though a 17-watt adapter could presumably be used for any number of Apple products including the existing iPad, its minor increase in wattage could hint at a larger iPad. With a 5-watt adapter for the iPhone and a 12-watt adapter for the 9.7-inch iPad, 17 watts is at the right size to power a potential 13-inch iPad.

12_9_ipad_ipad_4_mini_light

Concept rendering of the 13-inch iPad

News of a larger "iPad Maxi" first surfaced in May, and was followed up by a report from The Wall Street Journal suggesting Apple and its suppliers were testing larger screens for both the iPad and the iPhone. The larger iPad reportedly measures slightly less than 13 inches diagonally.

The iPads in question were prototypes, however, and Apple produces and tests a wide range of products that never make it to market. It is unclear if the company will release a larger iPad to the public, but such an iPad would be similar in size to a MacBook Air.

There is no indication that Apple has plans to release a 13-inch iPad in the near future, but the company is gearing up to launch both a Retina iPad mini and a fifth-generation iPad with slimmer bevels and a thinner design later this year.

Top Rated Comments

Sky Blue Avatar
151 months ago
Maxi Pad

lol
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Northgrove Avatar
151 months ago
Can't wait to shoot with that one on a concert.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
powerslave12r Avatar
151 months ago
Speculation of a direct corelation between screen size and power draw makes very little sense.

Although the 13" rumor could be true, in all likelihood the adaptor has been beefed up to perhaps decrease charging times on the newer ipads (including the fabled ipad mini retina).
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheKrs1 Avatar
151 months ago
Am I the only one that thinks this might just be in an effort to decrease charging times?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
the411 Avatar
151 months ago
the twist is that the 13 inch iPad will run OS X.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mcalict Avatar
151 months ago
Seriously.... anybody who thinks that Apple marketing folks would name it the "iPad Maxi" is delusional. It should be dubbed the "iPad Mega" or "iPad XL".[COLOR="#808080"]


No, iPad Pro.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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