Is this becuz the iPad battery is too big to be charged by a computer?
I don't mind plugging it into an outlet, but it is a bit inconvenient. 
My MacBook pro charges my iPad but slowly. I'll leave it plugged in overnight and it's charged in the AM, as opposed to just couple of hours plugged into the wall.
Its because the iPad wants 10 watts of power. But the computer cannot provide that much energy because it is outside the range of normal USB ports. Some computers can charge the iPad, but at a slower charging rate.