The perpetual struggle of iPad owners has been working within Apple’s guardrails. It has taken the company far too long to realize that people want (and often expect) it to behave more like a Mac than an oversized iPhone. It wasn’t until 2025’s iPadOS 26 that we got truly Mac-style window, dock, and menu functions. iPadOS 27 is poised to fix some mistakes with that effort, such as inconsistent menu and button layouts.

If you know what you’re doing, though, it’s possible to transform an iPad into a true workstation, not just an email and media consumption device with delusions of grandeur. Be warned — this is going to get expensive, and there will still be limits on what you can do, mostly because of the restrictions on iPad apps.

Brand

Apple

Storage

256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

An iPad Air or iPad Pro

The baseline for getting things done

It is possible to be productive on an entry-level iPad, or even an iPad mini, but an Air or Pro is the realistic minimum. There are a couple of reasons for this, the main one being processor tech. Whereas those first two iPads rely on iPhone processors, the Air and Pro step up to M-series chips, the same ones found in Macs. Some apps reserve their most powerful features for M-series iPads, if they’ll even run on anything else. If you’re choosing an iPad for CAD or video editing, you’ll want an Air or Pro just to get speedy rendering times.

There’s more, though. Without an M-series iPad, you can only mirror your homescreen to an external display, not extend it. While that’s potentially enough, I find that a multi-monitor setup is a massive aid to productivity. I can not only view more apps simultaneously, but avoid the hassle of constantly switching between them.

You also need a Mini, Air, or Pro to get sane USB speeds. The entry-level iPad is saddled with USB 2.0, which tops out at 480Mbps. Upgrading to an Air gets you 10Gbps USB 3, and the Pro supports 40Gbps USB 4/Thunderbolt 4. Thunderbolt is practically mandatory if you’re working with large volumes of 4K video.

A Magic Keyboard (or full keyboard and mouse setup)

How big a priority is portability?

Apple’s Magic Keyboard cases are overpriced. The one for the 13-inch iPad Pro is a whopping $350, which could actually buy you a decent refurbished iPad. This pricetag does get you some perks, however, the most important one being charging tech.USB-C passthrough charging means that your iPad’s built-in USB remains free for other peripherals, and when you’re on the go, the keyboard draws power from your Smart Connector. You’ll also appreciate its hinged magnetic mount, which positions your iPad at more convenient viewing (and tapping) angles.

For maximum efficiency in a desktop environment, consider buying a separate mouse and keyboard combo. It’s wise to buy that in addition to a Magic Keyboard instead of replacing one, though. If you have to work from the road, a mouse and keyboard can be awkward to pack, and you won’t be able to do much until you can find another desk or table to work from.

A USB or Thunderbolt monitor

Go Thunderbolt if you can

Credit: Apple

As I mentioned a moment ago, multi-monitor setups are a boost to productivity, but let’s not discount the value of a large external screen by itself. You can fit more apps onscreen than on a 13-inch iPad, and get a better view of what you’re working on, which is obviously essential for anything involving design, graphics, or video. Heck, writing and spreadsheets can benefit — when I’m churning out an article, it’s better if I can fit as much research material as possible alongside my publishing interface.

If you’ve got an iPad Pro, you should automatically prefer a Thunderbolt display. Mostly this is because of daisy-chaining, which will allow you to connect additional Thunderbolt peripherals, not just the usual USB accessories. Your iPad will charge whenever it’s plugged in. Both the Air and Pro can connect to USB-C monitors, or ones with DisplayPort or HDMI as long as you have the right adapter cable.

Don’t feel like you need to buy one of Apple’s displays. While they’re nice to look at, third-party monitors are liable to be more cost-effective.

A USB-C hub or Thunderbolt dock

Professionals need more than one port, Apple

Credit: Razer

It is possible to get by without a hub or dock. Many accessories can be connected via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the Smart Connector, and if you’re just plugging in external storage, a single USB port will do. When you want to pair SD or SSD storage with an external display, however, things become complicated.

You might be wondering about the difference between a hub and dock. A hub is always USB-based, and more likely to be portable, so it’s the way to go if you need multiple ports wherever you roam. Docks can include faster Thunderbolt connections, and are built to be stationary, typically bridging a larger number of devices. The ideal iPad Pro desktop setup involves a Thunderbolt dock with a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and external SSD attached. That gets you a complete workstation you can plug or unplug with a single cable.