Im just curious seeing that I haven't plugged it into the dock once. I just use the usb cable.

Does it affect the battery in a bad way at all?

Thanks

No they both do exactly the same thing except one stands the phone up and one lays it down. Personal Preference. If you move around a lot like you go to work and want to charge your iPhone then its handy to just take the cable and not the whole dock etc etc.

Don't leave it in the dock when the computer is off; it will drain the battery. That's one risk of the dock, I guess (it looks like it's standing there so comfortably, but the battery is being ruined...)

Good tip mate +1 Rep

also, is there any difference between charging the iPod using the AC adaptor and the USB port on the computer? It looks like it takes much longer with the computer, my battery is fully charged within 2 - 3 hours using the wall outlet while it would take around 4+ hours with the computer..

Originally Posted by duyvan82

also, is there any difference between charging the iPod using the AC adaptor and the USB port on the computer? It looks like it takes much longer with the computer, my battery is fully charged within 2 - 3 hours using the wall outlet while it would take around 4+ hours with the computer..

Often a computer USB port doesn't give the full 5V. There are even differences between different ports on the same computer. Laptops often have one or two ports with significantly lower voltage.

It's not voltage, but current. The AC adapter will supply 5V at 1000mA while USB ports are limited to 5V at 500mA, half the current.

hmmm thats weird. I have never used the outlet because I am in Australia and I cant be bothered to buy an adaptor but I use the USB and my battery lasts forever

Battery life isn't affected by charging current, only the time to charge to full capacity.
It will take less time to charge if you use the 1A AC adapter over the 500mA USB port.