Transform Your iPad into a Powerhouse Workspace with These 5 Essential Apps

Having been a journalist for about 15 years, the launch of the iPad by Apple sparked my desire to swap my laptop for a tablet while traveling.

In an ideal world, I would conduct all of my work from the smartphone that’s always in my pocket. In fact, it’s quite feasible when your job revolves around text and you’re ready to invest in some high-end AR glasses and a reliable Bluetooth keyboard.

However, as a journalist, those luxuries aren’t within my budget. Thankfully, a few affordable apps can make my iPad just as effective as my laptop without breaking the bank.

If you share my aspiration to replace your cumbersome work laptop with just an iPad, here are the top 5 iPad apps I rely on to stay productive on the move.

It might seem like a workaround, but I find it essential to have an app on my iPad for remotely accessing my PC at home. This capability is crucial for retrieving files or utilizing home-based applications.

I chose Jump Desktop ($14.99) from the Apple App Store because it supports both Windows and Mac PCs, accommodates both RDP and VNC protocols, and allows dual connections in split-screen mode on my iPad Pro.

I value how Jump Desktop integrates seamlessly with my iPad’s Magic Keyboard, supports virtual and real mouse functions, and handles gestures effectively.

Although not ideal for streaming PC games to your iPad, Jump Desktop is great for transferring files and streaming movies and music, provided you have strong home and mobile internet connections. Setting up the client on your PC is straightforward, requiring minimal configuration.

Download Jump Desktop ($14.99)

You might have noticed Things in the iPad App Store, an app that has won two Apple Design Awards. Despite its $20 price tag, I found it incredibly useful once I tried it.

Essentially, Things serves as an advanced to-do list. You can organize tasks into different life areas and work towards larger projects. Its intuitive design allows for quick mastery, and the integration with iPad’s Share function and email forwarding to add tasks makes it incredibly convenient.

Things also offers Widgets for the home screen, helping you keep track of important tasks and projects. Although slightly pricey, the organizational benefits justify the cost over time.

Download Things 3 ($19.99)

For my writing and editing tasks, I prefer using Microsoft Word on my iPad. It allows me to work flexibly from anywhere, and the compatibility with Apple Pencil for document markup is particularly beneficial.

While a full Microsoft 365 subscription is required for all features, alternatives like Apple’s Pages or the online Microsoft 365 version could serve as substitutes, though with some limitations.

Download Microsoft Word (Free)

In our workplace, Slack is essential for communication, but you might use other tools such as Discord, Teams, or Google Chat. Keeping in touch with your team is crucial when working remotely, and Slack’s integration with various apps enhances its utility.

Download Slack (Free)

As someone who has conducted countless interviews, I know the pain of manual transcription. That’s why I use Whisper Notes – Speech to Text. This app utilizes the Whisper AI model to transcribe without relying on external servers, making it both secure and efficient.

While the built-in transcription features in the latest iPadOS are improving, Whisper Notes remains my go-to tool for its reliability and simplicity.

Download Whisper Notes – Speech to Text ($5)

These apps are tailored for a writer and editor’s needs. Depending on your profession, such as photography or coding, your app requirements might differ significantly. Our guide to the best iPad apps covers a wide range of professions and needs.

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