Turn your iPad into a laptop — one that can survive a 6-foot fall — with the Zagg Pro Keys. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Zagg Pro Keys wraps a range of iPad models in a very protective case, and includes a removable keyboard that makes the tablet even more productive. It’s a full-featured accessory that comes at a relatively low cost.
I used the Pro Keys with my work/personal iPad for several days. Here’s what I found out.
Brydge iTrack might complete your iPad-centric desktop setup. Photo: Brydge
Brydge iTrack may be the first trackpad designed specifically for iPad. That allows the desktop accessory to take full advantage of the support for trackpads Apple added to iPadOS.
And while it uses Bluetooth, Brydge promises minimal connection hassles.
The Huex Fades case for iPhone 12 comes in a variety of iridescent finishes. Photo: Laut
This week, Cult of Mac is giving away a bundle of four cases from Laut for iPhone, iPad, AirPods and AirTag. If you’d like some shiny new holders for your Apple gear, be sure to enter this fun and free giveaway.
The Logitech Combo Touch includes a well-designed iPad Pro keyboard and trackpad. And it looks great. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Logitech Combo Touch combines an iPad Pro case with a kickstand and removable keyboard. It sets itself apart from the crowd with a large trackpad and using the Smart Connector rather than Bluetooth.
I brought this keyboard case into my daily work life for most of a week. I also compared it to the Apple Magic Keyboard. Here’s why I like it.
The Zagg Pro Keys with Trackpad (center), a new version of the Rugged Book (left) and the Pro Keys without trackpad (right). Photo: Zagg
The Zagg Pro Keys with Trackpad isn’t just for pro-grade iPad users because anyone might want the option to turn their tablet into a laptop. The new keyboard case is compatible with the 11-inch iPad Pro, the 10.9-inch iPad Air and the 10.2-inch iPad.
Zagg also introduced on Wednesday a version of Pro Keys without a trackpad for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. And the accessory maker launched a Rugged Book keyboard case for the 11-inch iPad Pro and the 10.9-inch iPad Air.
Prop up an iPad with the Moft Snap Tablet Stand. Then fold it flat. Photo: Moft
The iPad doesn’t include a kickstand, but the Moft Snap Tablet Stand can be attached to any full-size model, propping the screen up at a variety of viewing and working angles. And it’s easily removable, slim and weighs in at under 5 ounces.
Even better, it’s compatible with the Apple Magic Keyboard.
This thing can charge your iPhone, iPad, AirPods, MacBook and Apple Watch all at once. Photo: ScoutPro
As technology progresses, it seems that we all need more and more smart devices to power through our day productively: a smartwatch for better workouts, a laptop for better work production, wireless earbuds for better listening, and a smartphone for better communication. While all of these high-powered devices work hard to improve our lives, our reliance on them tends to drain their batteries — and sometimes, everything goes critical all at once.
Twelve South's ParcSlope stand elevates your MacBook or iPad to new levels. Photo: Twelve South
This week, Cult of Mac is giving away one ParcSlope stand from Apple accessory powerhouse Twelve South.
The ParcSlope is a dual-purpose desktop easel that functions as a typing stand for MacBook and as a sketching wedge for iPad. It elevates your MacBook or iPad Pro for a better working angle and an ergonomic viewing height.
If you win, you can use the ParcSlope stand for all of your tasks. And if you don’t, Twelve South is sweetening the giveaway with a $10 promo code to purchase the ParcSlope for everyone who enters.
Kensington StudioDock could be the iPad productivity tool you’re looking for. Photo: Kensington
Add the Kensington StudioDock to the list of accessories thrown under the bus by the redesign of the 2021 iPad Pro. The 12.9-inch version of the upcoming tablet is just slightly thicker, but that’s enough to make the elaborate desktop stand incompatible.
This is sure to displease many of the people who bought the $399.99 accessory and were hoping to use it with future Apple tablets.
The Survivor All-Terrain‘s four layers of shock-absorbing materials deliver military-grade drop protection to the iPad 8. Photo: Survivor
A pair of new rugged cases for the basic 10.2-inch iPad promise military-grade drop protection, and each has a combination kickstand/handstrap to make using the device easier.
Survivor All-Terrain and Endurance are designed for hazardous conditions, like worksites and classrooms.
Made of high-end wood and leather, this glorious charging tray is perfect for all your Apple gear. Photo: Nytstnd
Many wireless charging stations lack something iPad users need: a place to prop up and charge their beloved tablets.
It may seem like a charging station fit for an iPad wouldn’t be as sleek and convenient as smaller models, but the opposite is true for the Nytstnd Quad Tray. Channeling sophisticated elegance with wood and cloth accents, this powerful multi-device charger will create a comfortable home for your essential personal items with a fashionable flourish. Available now for $191.99, this beautiful charger is well worth the price for an upscale charging experience.
Maotoam Pro is a robust tablet/laptop stand and a multifunction USB-C hub all in one well-designed package. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Maotoam Pro is two popular desktop accessories in one. It’s both a laptop/tablet stand and a USB-C hub with 13 ports. It can prop up a MacBook or iPad at your preferred angle, and connect it to up to a monitor, three USB devices, Ethernet and more.
I used the stand/hub in my everyday life for days. Here’s why I like it so very much.
The SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe has both USB-C and Lightning connectors for maximum compatibility. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe includes both Lightning and USB Type-C connectors so it plugs into almost any computer. You can easily access the same collection of files from an iPhone, Mac or iPad without resorting to iCloud, etc. Even better, the drive is small and comes in an all-metal casing.
I tested the iXpand Luxe with multiple devices. Here’s its strengths and weaknesses.
The Brydge 12.9 Max+ turns your iPad Pro into a clamshell laptop. Photo: Brydge
The Brydge 12.9 Max+ is a magnetic clip-on keyboard for the largest iPad Pro models. It includes a sizable trackpad, and a design that mimics a clamshell laptop.
It uses some of the features of the popular Apple Magic Keyboard, but goes in a different direction.
Buyers of the 2021 iPad Pro will have keyboards and cases to choose from when the tablet launches, including the Logitech Combo Touch. Photo: Logitech
For all its many improvements, the basic design of the 2021 iPad Pro changed hardly at all. That’s good news for anyone in the market for a case or keyboard for Apple’s new tablet, as it means there’s a wide variety available.
But a change in the thickness of the 12.9-inch version mans that many existing products aren‘t compatible. That said, there are already options from Logitech, Brydge, Otterbox and Apple itself that are confirmed to work with the new computer. And likely more that’ll still fit.
Securely share a collection of files between your iPhone, Mac and iPad with a new 2-in-1 flash drive from SanDisk.
The SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe lets you access its files on all your Apple computers, no adapters needed. It supports Lightning and USB Type-C, so it can plug into an iPhone, Mac or iPad. The same goes for many Windows and Android devices.
With the Kensington StudioDock, an iPad tablet becomes an outstanding desktop with multiple ports and wireless chargers. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Imagine an iMac with an iPad for its screen and you’ve got the Kensington StudioDock. Slip your tablet into the docking station and it’s elevated to eye level, plus you have access to an extensive collection of built-in ports. The stand can even wirelessly charge your other Apple devices.
Read on to explore all the reasons why this is the best iPad desktop stand ever made.
The Twelve South HoverBar Duo securely holds an iPad on a desk, or it can be clamped to a shelf. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
With Twelve South’s HoverBar Duo, it’s not necessary to choose between an iPad stand that sits on a desk and one that clamps to a shelf — this accessory does both. And it has a two-piece articulated arm to give a wide range of positioning options. Plus it clamps tightly onto a tablets of many sizes.
I put this stand through its paces, and here’s how it stood up to real-world use.
Make up for the lack of ports in your MacBook or iPad with a Satechi 9-in-1 USB-C hub. Photo: Satechi
The latest USB-C multiport hub from Satechi is designed with portability in mind. It packs in nine frequently used ports so it’s not too tiny. But designers built in a slot to hold a short travel-ready connection cable to cut down excess bulk.
Apple laptops and tablets lack a variety of ports, but adapters like this one make for easier presentations, data transfers or network connections.
Hook your iPhone, iPad or Apple TV to a keyboard and mouse for gaming with the KeyMander 2 Mobile from IOGear. Photo: IOGear
The IOGear KeyMander 2 Mobile is for iPhone users that prefer gaming with a keyboard and mouse instead of a touchscreen or controller. It works with Apple Arcade, Google Stadia and App Store games. Even ones that don’t offer native support for desktop-type input devices.
Beyond iPhone, it also works with iPad and Apple TV.
Attach the Twelve South HoverBar Duo to a cabinet or rest it on a desktop. Photo: Twelve South
To use an iPad hands free around the home or office, you can get a desktop stand or one clamps to a rigid surface. The Twelve South HoverBar Duo gives you both options.
It’s not only height adjustable, but can hold a wide variety of devices, from iPad Pro to iPad mini. And iPhones too.
The Brydge 10.2 Max+ turns an iPad 8 into a detachable laptop/tablet. Photo: Brydge
Brydge has a new feature-laden keyboard case for the low-cost 10.2-inch iPad. It brings a large trackpad to this tablet. And the Brydge 10.2 Max+ offers 4-foot MIL-STD drop protection thanks to a built-in Otterbox case.
This company’s keyboards for the iPad Pro are aimed at professionals. The newest one for the low-cost iPad seems to be for younger users.
SwitchEasy CoverBuddy adds extra protection for iPads that are used with Apple’s clip-on keyboards. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Apple Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard for iPad are amazing but they prevent putting the tablet into most cases, so it has to be “naked” when not clipped to the keyboard. That’s no problem for the SwitchEasy CoverBuddy, a protective case that Apple’s clip-on keyboards can work right through.
Twelve South ParcSlope securely supports an Apple laptop or tablet. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Tilting up the base of your MacBook makes it easier to type. And it elevates the screen to be nearer eye level. The Twelve South ParcSlope is a simple, sturdy laptop stand that offers both benefits. And you can use it with your iPad, too.
I used the ParcSlope for several days to see how well it performed in real-world use. Read on to see what I found out.