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We’re offering big discounts on awesome accessories for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and more. Enjoy 30% off everything from Rilee & Lo, and 20% off products from Nine Twenty Eight Co and BluShark.
Whether you work in an office or on the road, you may not need a laptop to get the job done. Instead, you may be able to streamline and start relying on an iPad for work. With so much variety in screen size, processing speed and accessories, there’s a lot you could do to turn your iPad into a reliable work tablet. To get you started, we’ve got five deals that could make it easier to turn your iPad into its own home or mobile workstation.
Zagg built plenty of features into its new Pro Mouse. That include support for wireless charging so keeping it topped up just means occasionally placing it on a charging mat.
And the Bluetooth accessory can pair with Mac, MacBook and iPad simultaneously so it’s ready to switch to whichever one you’re using. Plus it works on glass.
The latest version of the Logitech Crayon iPad stylus charges via USB-C, just like the new iPad 10. That makes it a simpler option than the Apple Pencil 1 that still uses Lightning.
And the stylus is designed with children in mind.
Along with the redesigned 10th-gen iPad that Apple released Tuesday, the company rolled out the first Magic Keyboard Folio to go with the entry-level tablet. The new iPad accessory adds function keys — a first for Apple’s iPad keyboards.
While the iPad 10 costs much more than previous versions, starting at $449 instead of $329, if you want the detachable keyboard and stand Apple now makes for it, you have to add another $249.
That completes your basic iPad experience for a pretty penny. And the new Magic Keyboard Folio only comes in white, by the way.
The Kensington StudioDock turns an iPad into a iMac with a wide range of ports and wireless chargers. It’s a powerful accessory that launched in 2021 at a very high price. Kensington has now cut the price almost in half, making the stand affordable to many more customers.
The professional-grade accessory is available for both 11-inch and 12.9-inch versions of the iPad Pro.
Apple reportedly plans to release an iPad cradle with a built-in speaker. The device will function as a HomePod smart speaker, and when a tablet is placed in it will become a smart home hub with a touchscreen.
The company also allegedly continues work on a single device that will perform the same task.
The new Moft Snap Float Folio raises the bar on iPad cases that also function as stands. Literally. It can be folded to lift the the iPad screen up to 3.6 inches.
If that’s not enough, the case/strand also folds into five other configurations to allow the iPad to be used in different ways.
★★★★★
The OWC Envoy Pro mini is a small external SSD with both USB-C and USB-A connectors so it works with Mac and iPad but also Windows, Android and more. It’s rugged, fast and comes with up to 1TB of storage.
I ran the tiny drive through a battery of tests. It passed with flying colors.
The Adonit Log is a new iPad stylus that skips the usual plastic or metal body and instead uses sustainably-sourced wood. It’s like using a pencil with your tablet.
But the stylus still includes high-tech features, including a 1-millimeter tip for high accuracy, palm rejection and a long-lasting battery.
Logitech just launched its first mechanical keyboard optimized for Mac. The MX Mechanical Mini features low-profile switches and backlighting.
It’s joined by the MX Master 3S mouse and the Lift mouse in Logitech’s new “Designed for Mac” collection.
★★★★☆
The PowerA Moga XP5-i Plus has the same basic design as an Xbox controller, but with a focus on Apple devices. Put your iPhone in the adjustable mount, or remove the mount for iPad or Apple TV gaming.
It stands out from the crowd with a built-in battery for recharging your handset while you play. Plus, PowerA added a couple of useful extra buttons.
I’ve enjoyed gaming on the Moga XP5-i Plus for a few weeks now. Here’s why.
The Zagg Rugged Pro Connect keyboard and case for iPad can take what life dishes out. It has 2 meters of drop protection, it is water resistant, the keys won’t pop off, and there’s a snap-on screen protector.
The case fits multiple generations of the 10.2-inch budget iPad, and is available starting Tuesday.
★★★★☆
iPad is an outstanding tablet, but add the Zagg Pro Keys with Trackpad and it becomes a powerful notebook computer that’s ready for work or school. Plus, the keyboard case offers a welcome 6.6 feet of drop protection.
There are versions for several Apple tablets, so I wrapped my 12.9-inch iPad Pro in the Pro Keys and went to work using it. There’s a lot to like here.
★★★★★
The OWC MiniStack STX is just the right size to stack with a Mac mini. The hub adds three Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports that can be hooked to high-resolution displays and external drives.
It also includes bays for SATA and/or NVMe M.2 drives. That’s space for up to 18TB of storage. Install your own drives or buy them from OWC.
I put the powerful accessory for Mac or iPad to the test over several weeks of daily use.
★★★★☆
The Samsung USB Type-C Flash Drive adds up to 256GB of additional storage to Mac desktops and notebooks as well as most types of iPad. It can be easily switched among all of these, and other computers, too.
I tested the tiny drive with multiple devices, and it stood up quite well. Here’s why I love this speedy little accessory.
★★★★☆
With Hyper’s HyperDrive USB4 Mobile Dock, you’re ready to connect to either HDMI or DisplayPort monitors at 4K or even 8K. The USB-C hub also includes dual USB-A ports, Ethernet and more. Plus, it’s the right size to use in your office or on the road.
I put the dock through a battery of tests to see how it stands up on real-world use. Here’s how it did.
The Pitaka FlipBook Case for iPad wraps around an iPad Pro and the Apple Magic Keyboard to protect them and add a handle.
The tablet and its keyboard can be used while the magnetic sleeve is still wrapped around them, making them easy to grab and go.
★★★★★
The Lululook Foldable Magnetic iPad Stand is ready to help turn your tablet into a small desktop computer. Your iPad attaches to it magnetically, and you can easily adjust the height and viewing angle. Or switch between portrait and landscape.
Just as importantly, when you don’t need it, the desktop stand folds up so you can carry it with you or easily put it out of the way.
This is absolutely one of the best iPad Pro or iPad Air stands I’ve ever used. Here’s why I love it.
Zagg launched a version of the Pro Keys with Trackpad that’s compatible with Apple’s largest iPad. It combines a rigid, protective case with a removable keyboard with a built-in trackpad.
There were already versions of the keyboard case for smaller iPad models, and now there’s one for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
The OWC Envoy Pro mini is a thumbdrive designed to work with almost any computer. It has both USB-C and USB-A connectors, and comes with up to 1TB of storage.
The tiny drive supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 and benchmark tests show it can transfer data at over 900 MBps.
The HyperDrive USB4 Mobile Dock offers ports for both HDMI and DisplayPort, giving users additional options for an external monitor. And the just-launched USB-C hub also includes dual USB-A ports, Ethernet and more.
And all this fits into a package not much larger than a Magic Mouse.
The Samsung T7 Shield is a a credit-card size external SSD intended for outdoor content creators or travelers. It’s drop, water and dust resistant, and offers up to 2TB of capacity.
This new rugged version joins other SSDs in the Samsung T7 line.
The Targus Antimicrobial Active Stylus for iPad resists up to 99.9% of bacterial growth for the life of the product. That’s one less thing to worry about while you’re taking notes or sketching on your tablet.
I tested this stylus with my iPad Pro to be sure it’s up to the job. Here’s why the extra features Targus built in make me quite pleased with it.
The TechMatte Apple Pencil Gen 2 Charging Carrying Case juices up the iPad’s official stylus when it’s not attached to the tablet. It’s a secure place to carry the Apple Pencil around, and keep it topped off when you’re on the go.
I tested this charging accessory to be sure it lives up to its promises.