I use my iPad Pro as my primary computer, so I take it everywhere I go. One of the things I love about the iPad is that it's essentially a modular device, if not actually modular. The pin connectors, Thunderbolt port, magnets, and lightweight chassis make it the perfect computer to pair with a lot of accessories. So here are some of my favorite accessories that I use with my new M4 iPad Pro, especially those that relate to travel.
If you'd like to see a hands-on video of all these accessories and more, be sure to check out the video below.
Native Apple Accessories
Just to make a quick note, I use Apple's native accessories with my M4 iPad Pro. If you use your iPad as your main computer like I do, the new Magic Keyboard is a must-have. It completely changes how you use your iPad by turning it into a laptop-like experience. It's pretty pricey, but it's the only true way to make your iPad compete with something like a Macbook Air. Secondly, I'm using the new Apple Pencil Pro. I'm not a designer or an artist, but I do tend to take a lot of notes and work in Affinity Photo. The new updates to the Apple Pencil Pro, like haptics, squeeze gestures, and Find My support, are a welcome upgrade. But with those out of the way, let's get to the fun part.
I'm always on the lookout for a new backpack or messenger bag to carry all my tech gear. Waterfield's new Shinjuku Messenger checks a lot of boxes for someone looking for a high-quality leather bag that's lightweight and has the perfect amount of storage for a commute or a quick weekend getaway. The full grain leather on the exterior flap combined with the new X-Pac canvas material makes for a nice, well-balanced package.
specification:
Available in two sizes, Compact and Full. Compact is made for 11″ iPad Pro and smaller devices. Full is made for 13″ iPad Pro and also fits 13″ Macbook Air and other similar sized devices. Available in three colors: Brown Waxed Canvas, Storm Grey and Black. Dedicated compartment for iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard. Larger and more open area for larger items. Water bottle holder inside. Zipper on the outside of the flap for quick access to items.
Overall, I think this is a great option for anyone looking for a sleek, minimalist messenger bag without being a big backpack, and it can hold a lot more than you would think it would fit in the bag itself. At $229 for the compact size and $239 for the full size, it's a very competitive price considering the build quality and materials.
The M4 iPad Pro is not a cheap package, especially when you consider the additional Apple accessories. I spent about $1,800 on the 1TB iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro, so I decided to start by making sure I had a safe way to store my iPad on the go. Woolnut's new Leather Folio was perfect. It's basically a leather sleeve perfectly sized to fit my M4 iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro. The exterior is made from full grain leather and smells amazing. The interior is made from wool felt that is super soft and nice to the touch, so your iPad will still be protected even when you put it in the sleeve without the keyboard.
specification:
Leather available in 3 colors: Black, Cognac, Green. Matte PU available in 3 colors: Black, Blue, Green. Storage space for Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil. Zippered closure for protection and to prevent scratches. Dedicated Apple Pencil holder.
Woolnut offers these in two different material finishes: leather and matte PU material, both of which are functionally the same, so if you want to save money, the matte PU version retails for under $60, while the full-grain leather version is $160.
I love it when one product packs multiple functions into one product, and this mouse from ProtoArc does just that. On the surface, it looks like a regular mouse – lightweight and easy to carry around. It has all the usual features, including connectivity to three different devices, a scroll wheel, extra shortcut buttons, and charging over USB-C. But this mouse also has a mini USB-C hub built into it. If you look at the back of the mouse, you can actually pop out a 3-in-1 USB-C hub, which is perfect for on-the-go use. It has the following features:
HDMI 2.0 port USB-A 3.0 port (up to 5GBps) 60W USB-C power pass-through port
Of course, there are USB-C hubs out there with more ports and faster data and power speeds, but for a compact product that's just a fraction of the competition, I like this one. Not only that, but it's only $50 (and sometimes on sale for $40), so it's one of my top recommendations for anyone looking for a portable mouse.
Like with the ProtoArc mouse, I was looking for a charger that would do more than just plug into the wall and charge my iPad. Raycon, the headphone company, has released a bunch of power-related products recently that are pretty impressive. I recommend checking them out, but I'll focus on the 5 in 1 charger here.
So what makes this 5 in 1 charger so great? First off, it looks and functions just like a typical wall charger. It plugs into an AC outlet and has a USB-C and USB-A port that outputs 20W. Chargers of this size can usually charge at higher wattages, but this one is specifically for the iPad, so 20W is more than enough, especially considering everything else. Not only can it charge any device you plug it into, it also has a built-in 10,000mAh battery that's always charging while it's plugged into a wall outlet. But that's not all. It has two short cables built in, a USB-C cable, and a Lightning cable, so you can charge your devices on the go. It also has a Magsafe puck on the side that supports up to 15W charging. Two final things worth mentioning are that it has a little kickstand for your phone and an LED screen that shows you how much battery is left in the power bank.
This is a great travel charger for iPads and iPhones. The only complaint I have is the power output. It only charges at 20W, so I don't think it's suitable for a MacBook.
Other Accessories
As I mentioned above, be sure to check out this video to see the other accessories in my pack. I show products like the Sonos Ace, Magsafe battery bank, cleaning kit, and more. Let me know what you think of these accessories. What accessories do you use with your iPad? Let's discuss in the comments below.
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