iPad workflow

Is it possible to use an iPad for workflow? Download memory cards from camera to external hard drive then import to iPad for editing ? I’m trying to avoid buying a laptop. Please educate me.

Depends a lot on what model iPad.

The more recent ones can connect to remote storage, usually through a dongle.
Then you can process images on a variety of apps.
But the iPad will always be limited by it's limited amount of storage, but it could work for a simple or minimalist workflow.

I have an iPad 8th gen. (2020) and I connect my R6 to it with the Lightning-to-USB-3-camera-adapter from Apple. I can download raws or jpegs. Works flawlessly. I do this sometimes for a first culling but editing on the iPad not so much. I much prefer to do that on my Mac Pro.

I haven’t installed or tried any specific photo editing software though. I know Adobe has some apps for the iPad, but I believe the free versions are rather crippled and you need a subscription to get fully functional apps. How well they work, I don’t know.

The bad part for me is the iPad Pro would be the one to purchase and it’s close in price to a MacBook Pro. I guess there’s not a worthwhile work around.

Well, if there isn’t much difference in price, then for serious photo editing I would get the laptop. An iPad is just not the right tool for that. Unless you are doing the most basic of tweaks.

I have an iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and an active subscription to Adobe photo software. If you're looking for portability, then the iPad is good about being able to store files to an external drive now (with latest iOS). I still prefer the interface of Lightroom Classic and Photoshop on Mac OS, and last time I tried them on iPad there were a couple limitations. It is nice that you can paint layer masks with pencil, but the iOS apps didn't support HDR merging/merging panos (basically any function for creating DNG). If you're looking for just one device, then a MacBook does still have some more functionality than an iPad.