Which iPad Pro models support which versions of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?

All iPad Pro models support 802.11a/b/g/n/ac on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies (dual band) as well as HT80 with MIMO, but the iPad Pro 11" (Original) and iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd Gen) models add support simultaneous dual band. The iPad Pro 11" (2nd Gen and 3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (4th Gen and 5th Gen) support 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 and the iPad Pro 11" (4th Gen and M4) and iPad Pro 12.9" (6th Gen and M4) support Wi-Fi 6E.

The original iPad Pro and iPad Pro (2nd Gen) models support Bluetooth 4.2; the iPad Pro 11" (Original, 2nd Gen, and 3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd Gen, 4th Gen, and 5th Gen) models support Bluetooth 5.0; and the iPad Pro 11" (4th Gen and M4) and iPad Pro 12.9" (6th Gen and M4) support Bluetooth 5.3.

If you do not know which iPad Pro model you have, the easiest way to identify each is by its Model Number located toward the bottom on the back of each device.

Can you connect an external hub or dock to the iPad Pro? Which one is best?

There are no shortage of adapters for the original iPad Pro and iPad Pro (2nd Gen) models equipped with a Lightning port, but software limitations of earlier versions of the iOS made more signficant hubs or docks largely impractical. By the time iOS 13 (iPadOS) was introduced, which offered more software support, there was little incentive for manufacturers to invest in Lightning.

Best USB-C iPad Pro Docks

However, for the iPad Pro 11" (Original and 2nd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd Gen and 4th Gen) models, which have a USB-C port, a variety of full-fledged hubs and docks are compatible. Good simple options include the compact USB-C Travel Dock and USB-C Travel Dock E, both from site sponsor OWC.

Photo Credit: OWC, Inc. (USB-C Travel Dock)

OWC's USB-C Travel Dock includes five ports -- a USB-C port (which can provide up to 100W of pass through power), two "traditional" USB 3.1 (USB-A) ports, an HDMI port, and an SD Card reader (UHS-II).

OWC's USB-C Travel Dock E is a bit more advanced and a bit more expensive and includes six ports -- a USB-C power passthrough port, two USB 3.2 (Type-A) ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, an SD Card reader and a Gigabit Ethernet port.

Best Thunderbolt/USB 4 (USB-C) iPad Pro Docks

For the iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen) and later models -- including the current iPad Pro M4 line -- the smaller USB-C docks also will work.

However, because these models all support faster Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with a USB-C shaped connector, there even are more full-fledged docks like OWC's Thunderbolt Hub and Thunderbolt Go Dock as options.

For all practical purposes, these docks make an iPad Pro much closer to a full computing platform than just a tablet.

Photo Credit: OWC, Inc. (Thunderbolt Hub)

The relatively compact Thunderbolt Hub provides four Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s) ports (one front-mounted and three rear-mounted), one USB-A (10Gb/s) port, and a security slot. It provides up to 60 watts of charging power, much more than sufficient for any iPad Pro.

Photo Credit: OWC, Inc. (Thunderbolt Go Dock)

The physically larger Thunderbolt Go Dock provides three Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s) ports (one front-mounted and three rear-mounted), one USB-C (10Gb/s) port, two USB-A (10Gb/s) ports, one USB 2.0 port, a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port, one HDMI 2.1 port, one SD card slot, one 3.5mm headphone jack, and a security slot. It provides up to 90 watts of charging power, which provides plenty of power for the iPad Pro and a variety of other devices.

If you are unsure of iPad Pro model you have, the easiest way to identify each is by its Model Number.

Is it possible to use wired Ethernet with the iPad Pro? How?

It is possible to use a wired Ethernet network with all iPad Pro models.

For the original iPad Pro and iPad Pro (2nd Gen) models, which have a Lightning port, you can connect these devices to an Ethernet network with the Belkin Ethernet + Power Adapter with Lightning Connector. It is difficult to find these days, but supports pass-through charging in addition to Ethernet for these increasingly vintage devices.

Photo Credit: Belkin, Inc. (Lightning to Ethernet Adapter)

For subsequent and current iPad Pro models, which have a standard USB-C port or a faster USB-C shaped Thunderbolt / USB 4 port, the Anker PowerExpand 6-in-1 USB-C Ethernet Hub available from site sponsor Adorama in the US and the OWC USB-C Travel Dock E from site sponsor OWC are good options. Just plug either into your iPad Pro and connect it your Ethernet network and you're good to go.

Photo Credit: Anker (USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter)

The Anker adapter provides a Gigabit Ethernet port, an HDMI port, a USB-C data port, a USB-C PD input port, and two USB 3.0 (USB-A) ports.

Photo Credit: Other World Computing (USB-C Travel Dock E)

The OWC Travel Dock E provides a Gigabit Ethernet port, an HDMI 2.0 port, two USB 3.2 (Type-A) ports, an SD card reader, and a USB-C power passthrough port.

Who designed the iPad Pro?

Apple's industrial design for many years has been performed entirely in-house by Apple's Industrial Design Group, led by Jonathan Ive. Ive annouced his retirement on June 27, 2019.

Where is the iPad Pro available for purchase? Can it be purchased from Apple Authorized Resellers?

In the United States, you always can buy an iPad Pro directly from Apple, but you often can get a better deal by purchasing your new iPad Pro from an Apple Authorized Reseller like site sponsor Adorama. Adorama commonly has deep discounts on recently discontinued models, too. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.