iPad accessories - page 2

The Espresso 15 Pro offers everything Apple users want in a high-end portable monitor. 4K? Yes. Gorgeous. Oh, yeah. Touchscreen? Got it. USB-C? Check.

It has an all-aluminum body that makes it look great from any angle. And as a bonus, it comes with an innovative stand that lets you position the screen where you want it, even above your notebook.

I used the Espresso 15 Pro display in my home office and when working remotely, and am simply blown away. Here’s why.

Apple made the recently launched iPad 11 (A16) with younger users in mind, and the Zagg Tough Keys expands the tablet with a keyboard and trackpad that provides 6.6 feet of drop protection — something any parent can see the advantage of.

I took the rugged iPad keyboard case for a test drive. It adds quite a bit for young students, but there are limitations for anyone older. Read on to learn more.

Don’t buy a separate stand and hub for your iPad until you check out the Zagg 6-port Media Hub that launched Wednesday. Add an HDMI port, a USB-A port and more to your tablet without taking up any more space on your desktop than a stand alone would.

Plus, it got a big brother: the Zagg Pro Dock is a stand for MacBooks with 10 ports, including dual HDMI and Ethernet.

These are part of a collection of new hubs from Zagg with a range of port options.

The new Plugable USBC-E5000 5Gbps USB-C Ethernet Adapter lets you add a wired internet connection to your MacBook. Simply plug it into a USB-C port on your computer for data transfers at up to 5Gbps, or 5000Mbps.

The affordable adapter, which launched Tuesday, also works with iPad and even recent iPhone models.

Nuvyyo’s Tablo picks up local TV broadcasts and lets you watch or record them on your TV, phone or tablet. As you’ll see in this Tablo TV review, it’s a brilliant solution for cord-cutters who lost access to CBS, ABC, etc., when they dropped their expensive cable subscriptions.

The device costs less than $100, with no subscriptions required and no hidden fees. For this review, I tested the latest Nuvyyo Tablo with my Apple devices and found the over-the-air DVR to be darn good, if not perfect.

Do you harbor terrible secrets that must never get out? Zugu’s new In Case of Death Case for iPad Pro is for you. It’s always ready to automatically brick the tablet if you stop a bullet or get crushed in an “accident.”

Whether you’re a covert agent for British intelligence or just know things about the homeowners association that must never be revealed, Zugu Case has your back.

When you need to juice up your iPhone and Apple Watch, a single cable isn’t going to do you much good… unless it’s the latest innovation from Nomad. The new Universal Cable for Apple Watch charges the wearable while also sending current to another USB-C device, like a MacBook or iPad.

It’s not quite like anything else on the market.

A new mobile SSD called the PNY Pro Elite V3 holds terabytes of data and can transfer that data at up to 1,000MB/s. But perhaps its standout feature is price: the 2TB variant comes in at just $145.

PNY also just introduced two other speedy USB-C drives that top out at 256GB — but cost less than $25.

The espresso Display 15 doubles down on appearance. Not only does it have a great-looking LCD, its aluminum-and-glass exterior makes the screen match a MacBook or iPad perfectly.

Even better, it comes with a clever magnetic stand that can hold the display above your notebook, or beside it if you prefer.

espresso’s 17-inch Pro version from 2023 is the best portable monitor I’ve used, so I went into my review of the smaller version with high expectations.

The Geo Digital Pencil from ESR costs a quarter of what Apple Pencil Pro does, but both iPad styli support Find My so they can be easily located. And they cling magnetically to an iPad, and can be used for writing or sketching.

In addition, ESR also unveiled a mouse that magnetically attaches to a MacBook for easy portability.

The espresso 15 Pro checks all the boxes for Apple users looking for a high-end portable monitor. 4K? Check. Touchscreen? Check. USB-C? Check.

The 15-inch screen — a smaller version of the espresso 17 Pro — is on display at CES 2025. It even scored espresso Displays a CES Innovation Award.

You unwrapped a shiny new iPad for Christmas or Hanukkah — congratulations! — and now you need a case for it. I’ve tested a bunch of these and have recommendations for the best iPad cases.

These protect your computer from life’s little mishaps. But you can also get an iPad case with a built-in keyboard and trackpad to upgrade your table to a ultralight laptop.

Targus and Macally unveiled iPad folio cases with built-in keyboards and trackpads. Although the designs vary, all can turn an Apple tablet into a slim notebook computer.

Apple makes its own iPad keyboard case, but these new third-party options cost considerably less.

The OtterBox Statement Series Studio case for iPad Pro or iPad Air finds a brilliant balance of protection and portability. It’s slim and relatively lightweight, but wraps completely around the tablet to save it from disaster. And there’s a built-in adjustable kickstand and Apple Pencil holder, too.

I tested it with my M4 iPad Pro, and haven’t found a wraparound folio case I like better. Here’s why:

The CRKD Atom looks small enough to be a game controller for a doll, but it’s designed to clip on your keychain for gameplay wherever you go. It’s a way to have some fun with your iPhone when you find yourself with some unexpected time to kill.

I played with it, and while the complete lack of sticks greatly limits the controller, it’s possible to have fun with retro games.

The espresso Display 15, an ultra-thin 15-inch monitor, launched Tuesday. It boasts an aerospace aluminum casing, not the usual plastic, but a lower price than previous high-end portable displays from this company. It gets power and data from a MacBook or iPad via a single USB-C connection.

It’s paired with Stand+, an ergonomic stand with a surprising trick.

A deal on the Apple Magic Keyboard for the new 13-inch M4 iPad Pro knocks 20% off the regular cost, and a coupon sweetens the savings. There’s also a bargain on the 11-inch version.

The regular prices for the accessory are quite high, but you can now save quite a bit.

The Plugable 15.6” USB-C Portable Display connects to MacBook or iPad to add more screen space, but that’s only the start: it’s also a hub with a pair of high-speed USB-C ports available for external drives, a keyboard, etc.

As a person who regularly works outside of the office with an iPad Pro, I’m more than qualified to test this accessory for road warriors who are perpetually short of USB-C ports. Here’s why I love it.

Opal Tadpole acts as a replacement for the webcam in your laptop or tablet. Clip the well-built gadget to an older MacBook and you’ll look better on video calls.

I tested one with multiple computers to see how Tadpole stands up in real world use — and whether it might make a good gift this holiday season.

If you love your iPad, there’s no reason to buy a second computer. Add a few accessories and you can quickly transform an iPad into an iMac mini — a small desktop computer easily up to personal use.

I use an iPad as my primary computer, so I have some recommendations for items to take your tablet to the next level.

Zagg offers an array of excellent accessories for Apple devices. Its Denali case for the latest iPad Pro models is not one of them. The case protects the tablet from drops of 6.5 feet and includes a snap-on screen protector and kickstand, but a couple of significant design problems make this a product to walk away from.

I (unfortunately) tested the Denali with my 13-inch iPad Pro so I’m well familiar with its issues.

Want a soup-to-nuts iPad setup that won’t obliterate your bank account? This refurbished iPad 9 and Beats Flex earbuds bundle hits the mark, offering a smart mix of performance, style and value at just $299.99.

In addition to the tablet and the wireless earbuds, you get all the accessories you need to protect and make the most of your new-to-you iPad.

iPad users can look forward to a less expensive version of Apple’s Magic Keyboard, according to information leaking out of Apple. The goal is apparently a variant more appealing to buyers of entry-level tablets.

Expect a launch in 2025.

The ProtoArc XK01 Tri-Fold Bluetooth Keyboard is ready to make your business trips more productive. It’s full size, with a numpad and function keys, too. But it folds down to fit easily in a briefcase.

It’s available solo, or with a travel mouse, or as the centerpiece of a bundle with the mouse plus a USB-C hub and multi-port wall charger.

I fully tested the folding keyboard with my 13-inch iPad Pro, plus the other components, too.

The Zagg Crystal Palace solves a vexing problem for iPad users: you want to show off your gorgeous iPad but you need to protect it too. That’s why most of this folio case is transparent. Nevertheless, it provides 6.5 feet of drop protection.

It also acts as a stand, and there’s a useful Apple Pencil holder.

Zagg’s case offers plenty of great features, but an unfortunate design flaw in the cover flap makes it hard for me to recommend this product.