The iPad Pro continues to blur the lines between what you expect a tablet to be and what you expect a laptop to be. The new iPad Pro comes with only one port (and no headphone jack), which is likely frustrating to many users. Even the MacBook, which also only has a single USB-C port, comes with a headphone jack as well. But USB-C is an amazing standard. That one port, with the right dongle, can be a USB-A hub for a keyboard or flash drive, a headphone jack, an HDMI or DisplayPort port for connecting to a monitor, or an SD card slot. To get all that, you’d likely need to buy at least 3, maybe four or 5 dongles. You’re easily going to pay over $100 to carry around a ton of dongles for your “portable” iPad.
That’s where the HyperDrive USB-C hub for the 2018 iPad Pro comes in. From the same people who make the efficient and handy MacBook Pro dock, the new Hyper USB-C dock will give you a portable way to maximize the potential of your new iPad.
Available Ports
This single dock has a headphone jack, USB-A port, SD card slot, Micro SD card slot, additional USB-C port with charging capability, and an HDMI port. With that, you could easily connect a keyboard, SD cards, display, power, and headphones to do photo and video editing and more. It really turns your iPad into a workstation.
Design
The HyperDrive for the iPad Pro comes in two colors, silver and space gray, just like the iPad. It has rubber grips that not only protect your iPad from a metal-on-metal situation, but also hold the dock in place. The grip can be removed, in case you’re using a case with your iPad. If you’re using the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio though, you’ll be happy to know that the grip doesn’t interfere with it at all.
A stretch goal of the Kickstarter
It looks good enough that you could likely just keep it on your iPad at all times. If Hyper sees enough interest, they’ll even include a USB-C extender for the dock, in case you’re using an exceptionally thick third party case or need to put your iPad in some kind of dock or kiosk.
Value
So, if you wanted all of these ports with Apple’s dongles, you’d be out $117. You wouldn’t be able to use everything at once though. Also, Apple’s dongles look like cheap plastic. If they’re anything like Apple’s cables, they’ll fall apart in a year or two, and you’ll have to buy new ones.
Hyper by Sanho’s HyperDrive is made of aluminum and matches the look of your iPad. It’s secure, professional, and a fraction of the cost of Apple’s dongles. The full retail price will be $99, still $17 off Apple’s nauseating dongles. However, during the Kickstarter, you can get it for $69.
Wait, Kickstarter?
Some people are nervous about Kickstarter projects. However, Hyper is an established brand. They already make excellent USB-C docks for Apple’s Macs. I personally have one for the 15″ MacBook Pro, and it’s an excellent drive. No other dock is as portable or as functional as theirs.
Furthermore, they already have working models in the hands of testers. Jeff Benjamin of 9to5Mac got to play with one already. Check out his first impression above. Overall, he likes the potential, with only one gripe: the LED indicator light. He’s not a fan. However, that indicator light can help you quickly check that you have a secure connection.
Because this is Kickstarter, you won’t be able to get this by Christmas. Which is unfortunate because it would make an amazing Christmas gift to anyone with a 2018 iPad Pro. You could, however, order one and include a printed copy of the confirmation email in a card, if you need a gift idea.
Best of all, your friend or family member won’t have to wait long. If you order right now, you’ll likely miss out on Early Bird shipping, which goes out next month. However, you’ll still get the HyperDrive in February. For a Kickstarter project, that’s very quick. For a company like Hyper, this Kickstarter campaign is more about marketing than raising funds for a design. They already have a finished product, they just want to get it out to you.
I don’t have a 2018 iPad Pro. Still, I feel weirdly tempted to get this. It’s a fantastic product that blows anything Apple has made out of the water. That’s no easy task. Head over to Hyper’s Kickstarter page to grab one for yourself.
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