The Ultimate M1 iPad App Suite: From 4K Editing to 3D Sculpting

The Entry Point

Owning an M1 iPad is only half the battle; the real magic happens when you load it with the right software and after a year of using the iPad Air 5 as my primary creative machine, I’ve narrowed down the apps that actually justify having a desktop-class chip in a tablet.

Whether you’re editing 4K videos, designing thumbnails, or using your iPad as a professional drawing tablet for your PC, these are the apps I use every single day.

The Creative Heavyweights

Affinity Photo: The Photoshop Killer

If you’re still waiting for a "full" version of Photoshop on the iPad, stop waiting and just get Affinity Photo. I edit every single piece of artwork for my YouTube channel here, including my thumbnails. The value is insane, it's a one-time payment of 30,000 Naira after a 7-day trial. No subscriptions, just pro-level tools that actually work.

Affinity Photo workspace on iPad

DaVinci Resolve: Desktop Video Power

This is arguably the best video editing platform on the iPad. Period. It’s the reason I can edit 4K footage on a fly while my PC struggles to even breathe. If you're serious about mobile video production, this is the only app you should be looking at.

Davinci Resolve on iPad

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Design and Ideation

Miro: My Brain in an App

This is where all my brainstorming happens. Whether I’m mapping out workflows, generating website mockups, or just dumping ideas for a new video, Miro handles it all. It’s especially powerful if you’re working in a team, as you can share and collaborate on the same canvas in real-time.

Miro's workspace on iPad

Procreate: The Gold Standard

Think of this as the definitive drawing application for the iPad. It’s the one app that actually makes you feel like a professional artist, even if you’re just starting out. I used Procreate to test my drawing skills with that paper-texture screen protector I mentioned in my iPad review, and the responsiveness is on another level so whether you're sketching out ideas or finishing high-end illustrations, it’s a tool that definitely deserves a permanent spot in your dock.

Procreate on iPad

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Utilities and Streaming

Spacedesk: The Second Screen

This app is a game-changer for my PC setup. Spacedesk allows me to use my iPad as a second monitor for my Windows PC. It allows for some really cool workflows, like opening Blender on my PC and using the Apple Pencil on my iPad to sculpt 3D models. It turns your tablet into a high-end pen display for free.

SpaceDesk workspace on iPad

LocalSend: The Ecosystem Breaker

If you want to move files or text between your iPad and your PC (or any other device) without fighting with AirDrop or cloud uploads, this is the app to use. It’s incredibly fast and works completely offline, though you’ll need to keep the app open on both ends if you want the devices to actually find each other.

LocalSend on iPad

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Summary Table: Value Breakdown

App	Purpose	Pricing (2026)
Affinity Photo	Photo/Thumbnail Design	30,000 Naira (One-time)
DaVinci Resolve	4K Video Editing	Free / Pro Version
Procreate	Drawing/Illustration	15,000 Naira (One-time)
Spacedesk	PC Second Screen	Free
PRISM Live	Game Streaming	Free

I’ll be keeping these in my dock for the rest of the year. If you’ve just picked up an M1 or M2 iPad, start with these to actually see what that chip can do.