Accessories that help to get the most out of your iPad Pro
The iPad Pro has quickly become one of my favorite devices. However, to turn it into an ultraportable productivity workhorse, certain accessories are almost a necessity.
The iPad Pro is built to accompany you everywhere you might venture, without compromising productivity. Though, to get the most out of your tablet, you should invest in some accessories.
Keyboard
Let’s start with the obvious one. In order to work productively on your iPad Pro, you’ll need a keyboard. Attaching one to the iPad will make it feel like a laptop and increase your productivity a ton.
There are many keyboards out for the iPad Pro, but when looking for the one to get, you will have to decide whether you want a trackpad. Having a trackpad is currently the main differentiating factor between the available keyboards.
Furthermore, look for a stable platform, so the iPad becomes “lap-able”, e.g., useable on your lap. When looking for the keyboard to accompany you and your iPad Pro, look for a pleasant typing experience. What is convenient to type on differs from person to person, and it is crucial to find a keyboard that you find satisfying to type on.
It is also essential to know your use case. Certain keyboards provide water resistance, which can be a must for some people. Other keyboards do a superb job serving as a protective shell for the tablet when not in use. So make sure that the keyboard you choose ticks all the boxes for you.
Lastly, evaluate the aesthetics. I wouldn’t place a high value on finding a nice-looking keyboard, but still, if you like the look of your iPad Pro with keyboard, you’ll use it more.
Personal recommendation
I value a keyboard with trackpad a lot. While using the iPad Pro with trackpad support, it feels close to a laptop, so I recommend choosing one that includes that feature.
Personally, I chose Apple’s magic keyboard to accompany me. Everything I want comes together on Apple’s keyboard and provides a fantastic experience. It feels great to type on, the aesthetics of the floating iPad are incredible, and it still maintains a small form factor.
The iPad Pro is even somewhat protected, yet I have to mention that the material on the magic keyboard scuffs up pretty quickly.
Overall, the magic keyboard is fantastic to use and lets the iPad Pro feel like a laptop.
If you aren’t willing to pay that much for a keyboard, there are other great options out there, such as the brydge pro+ and the Logitech folio touch.
Stylus
Another obvious accessory to recommend for the iPad. The iPad Pro has fantastic stylus support. The 120Hz refresh rate on the Liquid Retina is perfect for drawing and taking handwritten notes.
A stylus is also a must-have for the iPad Pro, and while there are multiple options, the main question is, why wouldn’t you want the Apple Pencil?
The pencil attaches magnetically on top of the iPad. Connecting is effortless, and it provides the best stylus experience I have ever had.
The pencil isn’t without its drawbacks though, I wish it would be a little thicker, so it would provide better grip, and there is no reserve tip included in the box. Overall, the Apple pencil is undoubtedly the go-to stylus for the iPad Pro for most people.
Other valuable options for a stylus include the Wacom bamboo sketch. Contrary to the Apple Pencil, it has a more ergonomic design, which allows for a better grip. The Wacom stylus comes in its own carrying box and is also pressure sensitive like the Apple Pencil.
Personal recommendation
In my opinion, average users will get the most out of an Apple Pencil. Effortless pairing, supreme input, and a place to put when it is not in use. Most people will be more than content with the Apple Pencil, and I never regretted buying one.
USB-C Hub
A primary feature of the iPad Pro is the USB-C port. Contrary to Apple’s proprietary lightning port, the USB-C allows you to connect to a wide variety of peripherals and is an industry-standard. However, the iPad Pro has just one USB-C port, which is also used for charging, so getting a USB-C hub is crucial.
When looking for the right one to accompany you and your tablet around the world, look for one with a slim form factor and the correct ports. Some hubs have an enormous variety of ports, but most people don’t need an HDMI port for their iPad. So look for the ones with the ports that suit you.
It is also crucial that the hub only requires one USB-C connection. There are certain types of hubs for MacBooks that plug into USB-C ports, and that isn’t possible on the iPad.
Having a USB-C hub gets the iPad Pro as close to a laptop as it can get. It also makes the iPad Pro compatible with a lot more peripherals, like regular USB-sticks and micro USB accessories.
Personal recommendation
I use the same USB-C hub, the Satechi ST-SCMA2M, for the iPad Pro and my MacBook Pro. The hub combines a sleek form factor with plenty of connectors to different types of devices. Most importantly, it has two regular USB and one USB-C port that even allows for passthrough charging.
I also like the aesthetics of the Satechi hub. They go well with the iPad as well as the MacBook Pro.
Powerbank
Even though the iPad Pro quickly has enough battery for a full day of work, eventually, there comes the point when you need to charge it. While traveling, there isn’t always a power outlet near you, so having a power-bank can be a lifesaver.
Shopping for a power bank can be overwhelming. There are so many options. It is hard to find the right one.
Power-banks differentiate themselves mainly by their capacity and the number of ports to connect. There is also the form factor and the weight to keep in mind because if you are carrying the power bank around with you all the time, you don’t want a bulky device that takes up a lot of space in your backpack.
The most important feature of any good battery pack is decent capacity. I recommend getting one with around 17’000 mAh. Having a rather large capacity allows you to charge the iPad multiple times, and hence it can be a useful tool for more extended travels.
In addition to a decent capacity, look for power banks with a USB-C port. That is crucial because you don’t want to use a dongle to get from USB-A to USB-C to charge your tablet. If the power bank has more than just one port, it is nice to have some variety, but having a USB-C one is non-negotiable.
Personal recommendation
I would recommend the XQISIT Premium power-bank with a capacity of 20’000 mAh. It has four ports, one of them is a USB-C hub, and it has a big enough capacity to charge the iPad on the go. Also, while it is quite a big battery back, it is still small enough to fit into your backpack comfortably and doesn’t bother you too much while carrying around.
Carrying solution
The iPad Pro is as portable as it gets. However, you don’t want to be carrying it around in your hand all day. You’ll need a carrying solution to lug your iPad around with you.
Whenever you are looking for something that carries around your electronic devices, there are a ton of different options.
The first question you should ask when looking for a carrying solution for your iPad Pro is if it also should be able to carry a laptop. Whether you want to take a laptop and the iPad with you simultaneously or you’ll need it for one device the first and the other machine the next day, in this case, I would recommend shopping for a backpack.
However, if the iPad Pro is your only device to carry around, carrying solutions can be different.
As previously mentioned, with laptops, I always recommend backpacks. If you get a good one, the laptop respectively, the iPad Pro is stored safe and even survives some bumps. Also, a backpack gives you additional storage space to carry everything else you need for the day.
If you choose to get a carrying solution solely for your iPad Pro look at your use case. When you need a solution to protect your iPad while moving around your office, a sleeve may be the perfect solution for you.
Personal recommendation
Personally, I need a carrying solution that suits my iPad Pro and my MacBook Pro. Hence, like in my recommendations for MacBooks, I strongly recommend the “Backpack” by Douchebags. Even though the company has an odd name, their product is outstanding. The iPad Pro is protected. There is enough space to carry all your peripherals. Even though it looks like there is just one huge compartment, inside, there are various zipped pockets to organize your every day carries.
I recommend a backpack to almost everyone because it keeps your hands free, and you have space for extra stuff. However, if you want to get a sleeve, look for ones where the zipper does not touch the iPad. Otherwise, there will soon be scratches on your fabulous tablet.
Headphones
The iPad follows can follow you wherever you go. Often, this means you can’t just blast music at full volume, but you’ll need headphones.
The headphone market is almost oversaturated at this point, and there is a great product in every price category.
When looking for a pair of headphones, first determine your budget. Then look for wireless and portable headphones. That way, they don’t take up the sole port on the iPad Pro. Portability is crucial because when you take your iPad Pro somewhere, having portable headphones makes carrying them along much more convenient.
Also, determine if you need active noise canceling. Of course, it is a neat feature, but it is also a pricy one. So if you can live without it, you can save some money there.
Personal recommendation
The perfect solution as far as headphones for the iPad Pro go, are the AirPods Pro by Apple. Because they are a first-party accessory, they pair as quickly as the Apple Pencil, and they have several perks other headphones can’t provide. The active noise canceling is excellent for buds that size and their sound is quite balanced. Overall, they combine a small form factor with many premium features.
However, if they don’t fit into your budget, a decent option are regular AirPods without the wireless charging case.
In my opinion, it makes sense to spend money on the Apple earbuds. Combined with the iPad Pro, they make for a great duo and are exceptionally easy to use.
Further Accessories
Because the iPad Pro is such a versatile device, many accessories are crucial for some people and useless for others. So in this paragraph, I’ll present some ideas that may be extremely useful for the right people.
If you travel a lot, you know the problem, not everywhere you go provides Wifi. So why not bring your own? There are several options for portable Wifi. They work like a big hotspot and connect to the local mobile phone network and provide you with an internet connection.
One of the best options out there is the Skyroam Solis. The main advantage of this portable Wifi/hotspot is the pay as you go system. You can buy internet access for a fixed number of days at a time and then repurchase when you need it somewhere else.
The only drawback of the orange puck is that it only allows five connections.
Another accessory that can benefit some iPad users is a streaming device like a Chromecast. Such a device allows you to stream your videos and other content to a TV or different monitor. The drawback of Chromecast is its need for a Wifi. Otherwise, it won’t work.
People who use the iPad Pro as their laptop replacement will also need an external storage solution. There is a wide variety of different solutions, but I recommend investing in an SSD with USB-C connectivity.
The gold standard with SSD storage is Samsung, and they have quite a lineup. The smaller the form factor of the SSD, the better because it becomes less of a hassle to carry it around as well. However, a small form factor should not compromise a decent storage capacity.
The last accessory on the list is a speaker. Even though the iPad Pro has stereo speakers that get decently loud, a Bluetooth speaker will be a great addition. A good speaker’s critical features are decent sound quality, a stable connection, and portability that matches the iPad Pro.
I also advise to look for water-resistant speakers, so when you pop them out close to a pool or during a downpour, they aren’t damaged by water splashes.
A great option is the UE Wonderboom. The speaker is super portable, delivers a decent sound, and gets quite loud. Additionally, the speaker is waterproof and even floats on the surface while still blasting music.
While a lone iPad Pro is a wonderful device, with the right accessories, it becomes a portable productivity workhorse.
Stay safe
Raffael