Beyond the Chip: Designing Your Ultimate iPad Pro M5 Setup

The launch of the Apple iPad Pro M5 is about raw performance, this new model is a platform for your creativity, productivity, and mobility to reach new levels. As the hardware footprint remains familiar (11″/13″ versions, slender chassis), it’s about  how you use it. 

What stand, what case, which case and accessories do you need? It likely depends on how you work, relax and travel. And for the tactile, flexible, high-function case that supports every angle, you’ll want the ZUGU iPad Pro M5 Case or step up to the 360 Case. This guide walks you through building your ideal M5 setup, one that matches the tablet’s power with smart ergonomics and seamless protection.

Choosing Your iPad Pro M5: 11″ or 13″ for Your Workflow

Before you pick stands and keyboards, start with size.

• 11-inch: More portable, lighter to travel with, great for note-taking, sketching in coffee shops, or on the move.
  
  Buy the case here: iPad Pro 11 Case (M4/M5) 2024/2025.

• 13-inch: Bigger screen, more room for multitasking, ideal for creatives editing video, animators, or anyone who uses the iPad as a laptop replacement.
  
  Buy the case here: iPad Pro 13 Case (M4/M5) 2024/2025.

With both sizes sharing the same display tech and design, your case and accessory choices are more about how you use the iPad than which one you choose. 

Related: Should I Get the iPad Pro 11-Inch or 13-Inch for Note-Taking? 

Build Your Perfect Desk or Travel Setup

Let’s break this into two contexts: Desk and travel.

Working at Your Desk

• Start with the ZUGU 360 Case. The freedom to rotate between landscape for editing and vertical for sketching or reviewing, plus a detachable shell for presentations or sharing screens, makes it a smart foundation.
  

• Connect your iPad to the Magic Keyboard for a true laptop-style setup, or use your ZUGU case stand for Sidecar and multitasking.
  

• Pair with a USB-C hub and SSD. The M5’s faster storage and I/O mean you’re no longer limited to internal performance.
  

• Use Apple Pencil with the case’s dedicated holder and stand angle suited for sketching or annotation. The texture of the case support and stable base matter here more than you might think.

Traveling with Your iPad

• Choose the ZUGU iPad Pro M5 Case or the 360 Case. The standard case is slimmer (great for bags), the 360 has extra bumpers and shell protection for rougher environments.
  

• Ensure your setup can transition. The kickstand converts into a lap desk, ideal for airplane trays, while the magnetic mount works on all kinds of magnetic surfaces.
  

• Pair it with a compact keyboard. Since the iPad Pro M5 retains the same ultra-thin form factor as the M4 generation, you’re getting laptop-level power in tablet form. 

Related: 6 Cool Apple Pencil and iPad Pro Tricks

Using Creative Apps With a ZUGU Case

If you’re in video editing, 3D design, or illustration, you’ll appreciate the nuances of the ZUGU case:

• Stability is critical when you’re applying precision via Apple Pencil or connecting to external devices. The ZUGU multi-angle and magnetic stand system provides that.
  

• Robust protection means less worrying about drops, bumps, or screen damage, allowing you to make most of your time spent on your iPad.
  

• Made from fiberglass, aluminum buttons, high-grade finish, the ZUGU case build quality and materials echo the premium feel of the iPad Pro.
  

• The M5 chip is built for demanding tasks, and our case becomes part of your productivity chain, not an afterthought.

Minimalist Mobility: A Case That Goes Everywhere

You deserve a case that’s designed for mobility, even if you’re performing simpler tasks on your iPad like studying or note taking:

• The standard ZUGU case keeps things slim, light, and portable, while offering key features such as a sleep/wake cover, Apple Pencil support, and robust protection.
  

• While a little bulkier, the 360 Case offers flexibility to work in portrait or landscape with ease. It also has a detachable shell for when you don’t need a stand.
  

• With the M5’s Wi-Fi 7 and faster modem, you’ll be streaming, collaborating, and editing remotely. Your case will keep up across cafés, co-working spaces, and cross-country travel.

Future-Proof Your iPad Pro M5 Setup

One of the quieter upgrades in the iPad Pro M5 is that Apple didn’t tinker with the external design — this is intentional. This means that the ecosystem around the iPad (cases, stands, accessories) will not become obsolete overnight.

That means:

• You can invest in a case that supports both the current model and whatever Apple does next.
  

• The ZUGU range covers M4/M5 for 11″/13″ models — meaning you’re covered for today and well into the next revision.
  

• Accessories like stands, keyboards, and hubs become more meaningful when your case supports flexibility and mobility, rather than being a fixed block.

Build It Right from Day One

Got a new iPad Pro M5? Don’t treat your case as an afterthought. Instead, view it as the enabler of your setup — the anchor that lets the iPad perform at its best. Whether you go for the standard ZUGU case or the 360 Case, you’re making a choice about how you use your iPad, how you protect it, and how future-ready your workflow is.

Ready to perfect your M5 setup? Discover ZUGU cases built for creators, travelers, and pros — protection and performance in one.

 

FAQs: Building the Perfect iPad Pro M5 Setup

Q. What accessories do I need for the iPad Pro M5?

Start with the essentials:

• A ZUGU case for protection and stand functionality.
  

• Apple Pencil 2 for sketching and editing.
  

• A USB-C hub for connecting drives, displays, and SD cards.
  

• A Bluetooth keyboard for typing.
  

• MagSafe charger or stand for effortless power and positioning.

Q. Which is better for me — the 11″ or 13″ iPad Pro M5?

• The 11-inch model is ideal for portability, students, and note-takers.
  

• The 13-inch model is perfect for designers, editors, and multitaskers who need screen space.

Both are compatible with ZUGU’s Standard and 360 Cases.

Q. Is the ZUGU 360 Case good for productivity setups?

Yes — it’s designed for professionals who use the iPad Pro as a laptop alternative. The 360 Case allows vertical and horizontal use, providing stable stand angles for typing or drawing, and features magnetic mounting for displays and studio use.

Q. Can I use the ZUGU 360 Case for video calls or streaming?

Definitely. The dual-orientation design means you can switch to portrait mode for video calls or social media lives, and landscape for streaming or multitasking — all hands-free.

Q5. How do I make my iPad Pro M5 setup ergonomic?

Use a ZUGU 360 Case to elevate your screen angle. Pair it with a keyboard and stylus and connect it to a monitor via USB-C for an extended workspace. The case’s flexible positioning helps reduce neck strain and boost comfort during long sessions.

Q. What makes ZUGU cases ideal for travel?

ZUGU cases are slim yet shock-resistant. Their magnetic features allow easy mounting or stand use on any surface — from airplane trays to hotel desks. They balance portability and protection perfectly for travel setups.

Q. Can I build a complete desktop setup with an iPad Pro M5?

Yes. With the M5’s faster chip and Wi-Fi 7, you can use it with external displays, Bluetooth keyboards, and multi-device workflows. The ZUGU 360 Case provides the physical stability to make that setup practical on a day-to-day basis. Read more>> Turn Your iPad into a Mobile Office. 

Q. Will the ZUGU case protect my iPad Pro M5 if I travel a lot?

Absolutely. Both ZUGU cases are drop-tested and impact-resistant, with reinforced corners and a secure magnetic flap — ideal for frequent travelers, field creators, or anyone working remotely. Read more>> iPad Cases for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers.