Hey, it’s Chris! If you want to unlock your iPad’s full potential, you have to understand external storage. Today, I’m going to show you how to revolutionize your iPad workflow with top-tier external storage solutions and powerful hubs. We’re going to cover all levels of iPad storage, from the very basics to turning your iPad into a high-capacity workstation capable of more than you ever imagined. But first, if you haven’t already, check out my new course, macbook pro slow boot up iPhone Video Essentials. If you want to go from shooting straight-out-of-the-box iPhone footage that looks and sounds unprofessional, like this, to top-tier iPhone footage that looks and sounds more like this, check it out. Actually, this whole video is shot using nothing but the iPhone platform. Pre-order today and get the Learning to Be Productive course for free!
On the desk here, I’ve got the M4 iPad Pro. When you go to purchase one of these, you’ll notice that upgrading from the base 256GB configuration to 1TB jumps from $899 to $1,499. That’s the first of three reasons why someone might want to check into external storage solutions for an iPad. You get more storage for less money. For example, this nice and compact LaCie drive I’ve got sitting on the desk here provides 1TB of storage for $150. Obviously, that’s a huge savings. But it’s not the only reason you might want to get external storage. You might need to expand storage space even if you max out the internal storage of the iPad itself. A certain class of pro user will want nice, compact storage that’s also very fast, taking you past the 2TB limit of internal storage that you can order with your iPad.
For instance, this Samsung X5 drive is a Thunderbolt drive that adds an additional 2TB, doubling the internal max storage of an iPad Pro while still keeping your setup portable. However, everything is a trade-off. It’s much nicer not having to mess with cords, and by the time you plug something into your iPad, it can feel a bit clunky and cumbersome. This brings us to the third reason someone might look at external storage for their iPad: extending their professional workflow capabilities. This could be for those needing to deal with multiple external drives simultaneously by using a hub like this one from HyperDrive, which provides extra connectivity and options for using the iPad’s single port, or by using something like the Apple Studio Display, which offers three additional USB-C ports.
Let’s dive into how and why I connect this additional Thunderbolt hub to the studio display and then to the iPad. When I plug in the Samsung drive, it shows up on the left side of my screen in the Files app. By long-pressing on it, I can rename, erase, or get info. If you’re like me and have a million drives sitting around, being able to rename them is key to staying organized. The ability to erase, or format, this drive is new in iPadOS 18. Previously, many people relied on a Mac to format drives, but now you can do it directly from the iPad. In the Get Info section, you can see details about the drive, such as its format, capacity, and available space.
I store all the files for my side hustle course and my productivity course here, which totals about 2TB. This is a great example of why I need external storage. A typical video on my channel can range from 100GB to 2TB, so 1TB won’t cut it for me, and 2TB can be pushing it. If I want to work on multiple projects simultaneously, I’ll need more storage.
To break down the difference between SSD and HDD: SSDs are typically smaller, faster, more portable, and have no moving parts inside, making them ideal for mobility. On the other hand, HDDs, with their spinning disks, are usually not meant for portability, require power, and can be quite loud. Although, some HDDs, like the one I have, are surprisingly quiet despite being powered.
It’s amazing to see how far the iPad has come in terms of capabilities, especially the Pro model, while realizing many people still view it as the device it was years ago. If you want to catch up on this discussion, check out two recent videos I made: one on whether the iPad Pro can replace a laptop, and another on the Apple ecosystem and the iPad’s role within it. I’ll link those up for you.
Let’s talk about the levels of external storage. Starting with a portable solution like the LaCie or Samsung drives, this setup is perfect for casual users, students, or those doing light professional work. This entry-level setup will use your one storage port, but if you’re using the Magic Keyboard, you can at least plug in for power in the back, freeing up the port for external storage. At this point, you might even consider cloud storage.
The next level involves using a hub. By plugging in a hub, you can connect an external drive, SD card, HDMI out, and a wired headphone jack. This setup is more cumbersome but still portable. It’s ideal for mobile photographers or videographers who need to connect multiple devices or cards while working in the field. However, the iPad isn’t just for field use. You can create a professional workstation at home using the studio display, which provides additional ports and enhances your workflow.
For example, the SanDisk desktop drive can be configured for up to 8TB of storage. It’s small, doesn’t take up much space on your desk, and connects to your iPad via USB-C. I have two set up: one for current projects and one for archival purposes. This setup requires a hub, like the studio display, to connect multiple drives to the iPad’s single port.
To go even further, consider an OWC 11-Port Hub, which offers three additional Thunderbolt ports and plenty of IO. This setup lets you connect multiple devices and drives, making your iPad Pro a true powerhouse. I use this setup for complex workflows involving multiple cameras and drives, allowing me to edit efficiently without long import processes.
If you have a drive lying around and want to test its speed, check out Disk Test. This app lets you see read and write speeds, helping you find bottlenecks in your setup.
I’m curious how you’re using external storage with your iPad or how you might use it in the future. Let me know your setup in the comments, including the devices, hubs, and drives you’re using. I’ll link all the products mentioned in this video in the description, along with the link to pre-order my new course, Pro iPhone Video Essentials. Remember, if you pre-order now, you’ll also get instant access to the Learning to Be Productive course for free. Check it out, and I’ll catch you in the next video. Later!
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