The Apple Smart Keyboard Folio for the 2018 iPad Pro is slim, lightweight and very useful. It’s also ugly as a mud fence. Slickwraps makes an array of “skins” designed to improve the appearance with bright colors, simulated wood grain or other options.
We tested this device cover to see whether it really enhances this iPad Pro add-on. Read on to find out how it did.
The latest rugged folio case from Urban Armor Gear protects the 2018 iPad Pro models without adding too much bulk. The Metropolis also adds some industrial style, and it includes an Apple Pencil holder.
Don’t miss our review of this rugged folio that starts at $59.95.
iPad shipments grew by double digits last quarter, giving Apple its best holiday period for tablet sales since 2015. Shipments of slates and 2-in-1s had dropped earlier in the year, but analysts correctly predicted this was the result of people holding off for the new iPad Pro.
Some of Apple’s rivals also saw gains at the end of 2018.
The Dodocase Two Tone brings a retro look to iPad or iPad Pro. You could almost write “Trig” on the cover in Magic Marker and feel like you’re in high school again.
And this case is very lightweight while still doing double duty as a stand. There’s even an Apple Pencil holder.
The Dodocase Two Tone is available for a wide range of iOS tablets, including the 2018 iPad Pro models. Prices start at $64.95.
Making your iPad Pro more useful is the theme of a series of short videos released today by Apple. Each takes a common task and briefly shows how it can be tackled with a iOS tablet and Apple Pencil.
There’re suggestions on creating presentations and podcasts, going paperless, and more. Watch all five videos now.
The Satechi Aluminum Type-C Mobile Pro Hub was designed specifically for the 2018 iPad Pro. It adds all the the most-useful ports to Apple’s latest tablet. With it, you can add headphones, an external monitor and other USB-A accessories. All in a tiny package.
Those who want even ports can choose instead this company’s slightly larger but still slim USB-C hub designed for laptops. This also works with the new iPad.
Don’t miss our hands-on review of the Satechi Alumiunium Type-C Mobile Pro Hub.
The wait for Brydge’s sweet add-on keyboard for the new iPad Pro is almost over. The company today began taking pre-orders for an accessory that fully embraces the concept of turning this tablet into a laptop.
This premium keyboard has an all-aluminum casing and ships with a magnetic cover that protects the back of the iPad.
A recent support document from Apple describes a manufacturing process that’s apparently the cause of complaints that 2018 iPad Pro units sometimes arrive new from the store already slightly bent.
While acknowledging that this is possible, Apple stands by its earlier statements that its inspection process eliminates any units that are bent more than 0.016 inches.
Zagg is using the Consumer Electronics Show to unveil a trio of clip-on keyboards for the newest iPad Pro and iPad models: the Slim Book Go, Rugged Book Go, and Messenger Folio. These range from lightweight to more rugged options.
In addition, Zagg subsidiary InvisibleShield launched advanced screen protectors for the 2018 iPads that won a CES award.
Urban Armor Gear created its new Metropolis case for people who take the 2018 iPad Pro to more than offices and coffee shops.
This rugged case protects the tablet from drops and impacts, plus it includes a stand and an Apple Pencil holder.
The 2018 iPad Pro comes with an 18W power adapter. Apple just began selling this as a separate item.
Having a second charger for your tablet when you’re on the go is convenient, but Apple’s $29 offering might not be the best choice.
The latest iPad Pro includes the most significant changes Apple has made to its tablets in years. There’s USB-C instead of Lightning, Face ID instead of Touch ID, and the device is more portable. In some ways it’s better than a MacBook.
But that’s not to say Apple got everything right. The 2018 iPad Pro has problems noticeable enough to leave me questioning whether I made the right decision buying one.
Author’s Note Sept. 26, 2019: The release of iPadOS 13 brought so many new features that it removed nearly all my regrets about the iPad Pro. The addition of mouse support and full access to drives plugged into the USB-C port are game changers. And giving apps the ability to open multiple windows simultaneously greatly simplifies my workflow. It seems Apple took the unusual route of waiting about 9 months after the iPad Pro’s debut to introduce a software update that makes the tablet shine.
In short, many of the regrets listed here are no longer relevant in 2019.
The Symmetry Series 360 just became the first OtterBox case released for the newest iPad Pro. This isn’t one of the super-rugged cases this company is best known for, but it brings some protection without adding a lot of bulk.
A bulkier OtterBox Defender case promising even greater shelter for the latest iOS tablet was announced a few weeks ago but is not yet available.
In a previous iPad advertisement, Apple famously asked “What’s a computer?” The company has taken a step past that with its latest ad that urges people to make an iPad Pro their next computer.
The less-than-a-minute video goes on to delineate some of the capabilities of the latest iOS tablet.
Watch it now:
An accessory maker shared a picture of something many people would love: a clip-on iPad Pro keyboard with a trackpad. Sadly, Brydge’s concept device just isn’t possible because iOS doesn’t support external pointing devices.
At least, that’s true for now. But mouse/trackpad support is a often-requested feature, and there’s reason to think Apple is at least considering it.
UPDATE: Turns out Apple was considering it, and mouse/trackpad support is built into iPadOS 13. Learn how to use a mouse with your iPad.
Anyone planning to use a 2018 iPad Pro for business probably needs an add-on keyboard. Apple’s own offering in this category is the Smart Keyboard Folio, which wraps tightly around this new tablet, both protecting it and providing the text input method so many of us depend on.
Because it’s made by Apple, nearly everyone who buys an iPad Pro considers getting this accessory, but the price will give you reason to pause.
We put one through extensive testing to help you decide if it’s right for you.
The last specifications of the new iPad Pro models just recently came to light. Apple unveiled this model at the end of last month but there are some very important technical details this company never reveals about iOS devices: processor speed and RAM. It’s up to the public to find them out.
On top of that, a technical glitch in a popular benchmarking app kept the exact speed of the tablet unknown to most even after it was in customer hands. But no more.
Satechi just unveiled a USB-C hub designed specifically for the new iPad Pro. It sits flush with the side of the tablet and includes ports for video, headphones, and more.
It doesn’t go overboard with ports though, and the casing on this upcoming accessory is aluminum for extra durability.
The dividing line between MacBook and iPad Pro gets narrower every year. The new iPad Pro models added a USB-C port, further reducing the differences. This is a good opportunity to consider which is the right choice for your next computer.
There’s a tremendous amount of overlap in what tablets and notebooks do. But each is better than the other at some things. For many people, a MacBook is still the best option. But for others, an iPad Pro is a better way to go. Read on for suggestions on how to decide.
New aluminum iPad Pro keyboards from Brydge fully embrace the concept of turning the tablet into a laptop.
The company is teasing the clip-on keyboards with images that show off their beautiful all-aluminum casings and backlit keys.
The second-generation Apple Pencil has to recharge from a 2018 iPad Pro. No other method is possible. This meands people will have to depend on magnets securely holding this $129 stylus to the side of their tablet because there isn’t any other option.
People criticized the original Pencil’s method of recharging, but it turns out its replacement isn’t perfect either.
The redesigned Apple Pencil magnetically clips to the side of the 2018 iPad Pro, and even wireless charges when its held there. This is a feature many people have been hoping for, but it comes with a significant drawback. This new pressure-sensitive stylus won’t be able to charge through some protective cases.
Case-maker Speck has confirmed that its first offering for the latest iPad will interfere with charging the Pencil, and says many of its rivals will as well.
With every new Apple device comes a fresh collection of wallpapers. The recently-announced iPad Pro models are no exception. And you don’t have to buy a new tablet to get these images for your device because they’ve been posted online.
Some of them look a bit like spin art — paintings created by dripping paint onto a rapidly spinning surface.
Accessory-maker Hyper just unveiled a six-port USB-C hub for the new iPad Pro. The HyperDrive for iPad Pro allows every type of wired accessory supported by the new tablets to be plugged in.
Just a few days after unveiling the new iPad Pro, Apple’s Chief of Design revealed what he likes best about it, including one feature you might never notice. This tablet just got some significant changes in its form factor, with Jony Ive leading the redesign team.
He also discussed the difficulties of improving products that are already very popular.
