iPad Desk Setup in 2023 - Does it Suck? 

9:02 - UPDATE - As of iPadOS 17.1 you can now control sound output goes, woo!

I love my iPad! I work in film production as an assistant director and script supervisor. And I LOVE that I get to have three different ways to use my iPad for filmmaking. 1. desktop mode is great for pre-production. reading scripts, online meetings, making breakdowns, etc. I also use it for research and for watching movies and series. I use the magic mouse with my desk setup, and it works great for me, as I use my magic keyboard with my setup, thus allowing me to have a trackpad, a mouse, and still be able to use the pencil with it.

I dont understand why so many reviewers/you tubers love to trash on the iPad - in a bell-shaped curve, most of us would find the iPad Pro a way more than adequate device - if you’re making your aesthetically pleasing RU-vid videos on an iPad - then in all honesty - that’s on you. But if you’re an ordinary person then i would highly recommend one - it does the simple things BRILLIANTLY, in a fun, intuitive way, its portable, an excellent travel companion, and when you want a desktop experience you can do that too. I’m in the ecosystem for sure - but an iPhone and iPad Pro combo with extra iCloud storage is perfect for me and if you’re an ordinary person… dont hesitate - I’ve had no crashes, or issues that this reviewer mentions. I love stage manager so much, that i got rid of my imac.

I use this set up with a Sony external monitor and an Air M1, and I haven’t had the crashes and glitches that you have mentioned. As a Humanities Student, my workflow is very simple Watching classes, reading documents, and making notes and the iPad handles it like a champ, much better than my Windows Laptop(Core i3). You do however need to use it on a desk as iPad with the Smart keyboard doesn’t work in a LAP-top scenario. If a Student reads this comment and your workflow is not technical just go ahead and buy an iPad as a laptop replacement you wont regret it. Love the videos. Cheers.🥳

Wow, you're the first person I've seen who actually highlights all of the quirks and shortcomings rather than glossing over. I was close to going this route over DeX (which I currently use daily), but DeX still seems pretty far ahead. I really wish MacOS were simply available on the iPad. Having an iPad Mini with an M1 and MacOS would be ideal for me.

My home device is an iPad Pro and it’s my main device. I like it because it’s an always on experience. Now, with the Magic Keyboard it’s a laptop, with a folio case it’s a tablet, and I have it connected to a screen with a Bluetooth trackpad and keyboard for a near desktop experience.

Great video man! I thought your final point was really great. I love my iPad but it could never replace my laptop / PC. I’m not even a creative professional, just an average office worker in finance. My iPad goes everywhere with me from client meetings (for notes) to lounging by the pool. But it does not replace my ThinkPad and I wouldn’t really want it to. They are both great in their own way.

Weird as a got none of the bugs you seem to encounter! My second monitor is mainly for having cours or references as I draw and learn art with my iPad! Been loving my setup!

Wow, most reviewers don't talk about the negative/annoying points you mentioned, thanks for highlighting them for us consumers to be aware!

Great video! I’ve been looking at a similar setup for my iPad Air M1. As a web developer I mainly use cloud based text editors so nothing too taxing on the cpu, but having a dual screen setup would make life so much easier

Your videos are absolutely most aesthetic i have ever watched. And i wach a ton of videos daily

As a Samsung tablet user, this makes me excited to see how far iPads are progressing in this space. The better Apple does, the more Samsung wil improve it's DeX mode. This type of progress promotes great competition. Cheers to all tech lovers!

Bro, I copied your desktop setup at my home 😊 and it was very helpful 🙏. I used to have neck pain when my ipad was side of monitor. My neckpain completely gone now after having the ipad just in front of me and it feels more productive working in this desktop setup. Thanks a lot for sharing 🙏and helping all ❤🙏

I have been using a very similar setup and find it works really well, with a few niggles The niggles with Stage Manager are mainly that it is a different UI

I think you hit the nail on the head: the iPad is “adaptive.” It wasn’t built to be a desktop or laptop replacement, but with accessories and some tinkering, you can mimic some laptop and desktop functionality using the iPad. This is for ppl that primarily want an iPad, yet may have some desktop/laptop needs. Simple

EXCELLENT VIDEO 0:14 What is the Keyboard that you are using with this iPad... I am in the midst of buying an iPad... but I want THIS kind of keyboard. Thank you for sharing this great video...

Thank you for making this amazing video and for focusing so well on the shortcomings of the iPad Pro, I’ve been there also… you got yourself another subscriber. I have now managed to fully move away from the iMac and Macbook Pro experience and I am a 100% iPad Pro user for all of my daily tasks. I had to adapt of course but the more I use this set up, the happier I am for switching over. I use an M1 16Gb 1Tb iPad Pro 12.9” with a Brydge 12.9 Max+ Keyboard & Trackpad magnetic case alongside with or without the external screen, connect via a USB-C Hub Pro. I like the portability of the Macbook Pro rather the desktop only iMac type (but had bothered and got right of both) but the fact that the iPad Pro has the touch screen (using the apple pencil is a dream) and also the cellular support, it is a complete game changer. Also, quite soon wee will be having the possibility to sideload apps as per the European directives, this will indeed bring more advantages to use an iPad as an all in one machine. Very soon, iPads will become more and more capable and flexible to use 😉 Looking forward to your next video in a few months time sharing new experiences after the next iOS update.

i totally agree with the “annoying things” also there need to be alot more keyboard shortcuts ex: there is need to a hotkey to move the an app from display to ipad or vice versa

Excelent video! About the sound, I'm a musician, and went fully iPad pro M2 for all my computing needs. iPad chooses the last audio device connected. For volume control on the app itself, some devices or audio interfaces take over, and some don't, it seems that your display does that, and the airpod is just annoyingly taking over every time you take it out of the box, keep them in the box! And yes, it is time allready that we get full screen display compatibility. In the end, everything is speedy and snappy and powerfull for Cubasis ( sorry, Logic Pro is not for me ), all my Physical modeled instruments, large sample Lybraries, synths, and all sorts of plug-ins, as well as luma-fusion, wich does provide full-screen on preview! Lightroom and all daylly apps works flawlessly. I'm using a keyboard with trackpad integrated, couldn't be happier. I'm glad they went in a different way then the Mac. It was a fresh start, and now its becoming mature.

I LOVE THIS TEST! lol I would LOVE if the ipad could really replace the laptop. it's just so cumbersome when ur traveling with a full size laptop + camera gear and a million other things.

Glad you did this video. I’m sure it’s been mentioned in other videos but, your video was the first one I’ve seen about certain apps still not going full screen. I was considering upgrading my iPad soon for the external display support. Never mind on that now!!!! I’ll save my money and just keep what I have.

As mentioned, DEX is better in every way. Apple could make the experience better but won't because they want you to buy a computer and an iPad.

the ipad REALLY needs snap to for its windows on an external monitor. also the mouse tends to get jittery / lost going back and forth between exernal monitor and the ipad screen in a productivity environment.

Hi Tom love your vids!!!!

Really helpful, thanks. 11" pro is my first, sidecar (and spacedesk from windows, with touch and pen) is great but no extended desktop in the other direction is a dealbreaker so far. Your notes on missing full screen apps and early bugs affirms that. Maybe ipad-as-wacom-tablet usage makes sense, haven't tried that yet.

9:40 my workaround for this is just delete the apps you want to use on the web. RU-vid for example is uninstalled from my iPad, I only use the web version.

get a extension usb c cord and u can lay it flat next to u for a note taking Scenario

great video bro......keep cooking💯

I agree- this is not a desktop replacement. You can specify the sound source (IPad vs Monitor- at least in 17.1). Otherwise, Stage Manager is not too intuitive, many apps aren’t quite right, mouse responsiveness is fair at best. Screen font sizes for different applications is all over the place. Overall I would grade this effort a C- and it makes me wonder how committed Apple is to the IPad platform- or at least to Stage Manager. It is workable as a desktop if you have no other alternatives and have a certain frustration tolerance. It can supplement as an extra desktop for certain tasks. For example, I have mine next to my Windows desktop and use it to view personal apps, journal, etc. Having an external monitor that allows me a bit more flexibility and using the keyboard can speed up typing.

The iPad getting warmer with a big screen attached? It's the GPU having to do double duty, I'd say. And maybe a bit more work for the CPU.

It seems to me Apple is just doing software updates that keep the pretext of iPad being useful as a laptop alternative while deliberately not making it as usable as MacOS to avoid cannabalization of Macbook sales? Imho, iPadOS is fine as a tablet OS as you say, but for desktop-mode (as per DeX) just have a mode that switches to this as a kind of MacOS Mode and people can then use it like a laptop that way. It seems the software updates are more like marketing updates for selling the devices as opposed to really solving problems for users/owners of iPads? Sure as you say it's like seeing a dog standing on it's hind-legs: "You're impressed it can do it at all but it still does it badly!"

The base M2 Mac mini is so affordable that using the iPad to drive a desk setup doesn’t make sense unless you really prefer to use a single device.

I’m using an M2 and really trying to break free from my windows LT for work. I have to produce a lot of spreadsheets so it would be really cool if we could support two external monitors. Maybe one day. Great videos by the way I used your short cut focus mode tutorial, works great 👍

I can confirm Logic Pro for iPad now goes full screen on external display

Really love the color grading in your videos. Do you have a tutorial or any tips? Also a “color grading on iPad” video would be great if you haven’t done one already.

I moved to IPad some years ago and like everybody else it seems, I am getting frustrated at the way Apple seems to be choking innovation. I got an M2 12.9. In the seemingly misguided hope that OS 17 would be a game changer. My wife is a dedicated MS Surface user and we have just bought her the new Surface 9. In researching the upgrade I can’t help but notice that MS is upping its game. The AI integration with innovation like Co Pilot, putting Python into Office apps on MS 360 etc. I have to be honest I am thinking of taking the hit financially on the M2 and swapping back to MS . Apple used to be the innovators, but now they are more run by bean counting finance types. Jobs must be spinning like dynamo on full capacity in his grave. Even apple corporate launch events that used to be glitzy feel more like a bunch of apologist trying to polish a turd. OK rant over . Good vid btw

It doesnt have anything comon with watercolors, but looks cool

The beginning of your video is actually very amusing to me. Things like that one can use external cameras, move windows to any position of choice… stuff like that which has been normal in computerland Apple - Windows - Linux …for decades…. It just cacks me up that somehow people sort of KUDOS Apple for lifing those odd and unneccessary limitations….. and yes, …only if you buy their latest expensive stuff of course… Where have we ended up folks ?!?!?!

I wish my iPad would still be able to have sound when connected to an external display without having to connect to headphones or something else. If the Samsung Tab can do it why can't the iPad?

thanks for wallpaper, it's amazing

the heating issue is most likely caused by charging

At this point they just need to run full MacOS on iPads

❤ thx for the new wallpaper!

thumbs up just for this experiment!

Regular people dont use half of this apps on Ipad for work. Thats the issue with this videos really focus on youtubers job and video/photo work. But Great video..thanks for showing

I'd love to see a video comparing iOS for external monitor support with using the ShiftScreen app on iPad to get that support. Other RU-vid videos are rating the external monitor support through that app very highly, but I've not seen any videos comparing the two approaches, with advantages / disadvantages, etc.

I am semi-retired and only need a desktop setup for light MS 365 work and browser-based activities. Mostly I use my tablet (an iPad Pro Gen 4) for non-work video content consumption. I would like to consolidate to a single device (iPad or Android tablet) that could cover both activities well. I worry that the iPad will fall short as a desktop setup and that an Android tablet will fall short of my current iPad on the tablet side. Any advice/suggestions for what single device would fill the two niches I need to fill…. or should I just keep on with two device strategy (PC, iPad)?

Really like the chill and useful vibes of the videos. I was wondering if there's any chance you can make a video on how to best blend using iPad and PC. While I'm aware the best case scenario would be using a mac, I don't or plan on getting mac. Since one of the things I love is gaming on my laptop, and mac, while it's slowly starting to get more games, most games will not work, or require windows emulator style software. Still I love my iPad, and would like to try and have as much functionality and syncing as I can. One of the things I miss is using iPad as a second screen with the laptop, but Duet is expensive and other apps appear to be lackluster, would there be a good alternative? (This was just an example) Whichever the case, continue the good work and looking forward to future videos.

You can use the a12z ipad pro w stage manager now

thanks for sharing. i dream the future tech for art, design & content creation is iPad.

I love this video! That said, it's a year I replaced my personal laptop with an iPad but recently I decided to buy a mac mini for video editing mainly. Since then I can easily connect in my home network with my iPad Pro so I can editing my content from anywhere in my house. is it perfect? not at all, however I found myself more focused using iPad than a Mac while I'm working on a specific task

I try to remplace my PC by an Ipad pro M4 after two week i decided to return my Ipad period

I used my iPad Pro M2 (12”) exclusively for about six months. I found it very usable and surprisingly so. It did about 90% of what I wanted to do, maybe 95%. Obviously excluding things like Blender. The glaring omission for me (and not Apple’s fault), is no LibreOffice. I’d really like to have that. There is a very inadequate “compatible” app, but oof. Definitely the audio issues need fixing. 👍 More tidying with Stage Manager will also be welcome, as well as some of the other isssues that you noted. I hope the next iPad Pro has 2 ports on the side, to allow monitor and TB SSD support.

Sound output is addressed in 17.1

Here are my problems I have using my iPad as my computer. (I have iPad Air 5th Generation.) 1 - Microsoft apps behave oddly. Outlook, Office - I have problems with trying to format, paste, use my contact lists, and some other stuff. 2 - RU-vid is wonky on external display. App looks and behaves as if it’s mobile. Videos show in 2 across, instead of 3 across. comments move to odd place, and entering comments using keyboard has been buggy. 3 - I have same problem using iPad as my cam in Zoom, Discord, and it behaves weird on Facebook app. When on external display, my orientation of my broadcast - is in opposite orientation to how I have my iPad. It shows in Portrait orientation because my camera is on the “top” of the iPad. Works fine for FaceTime and 1st party apps - but not most third party. A lot of this can be attributed to app developers. So app developers MUST test their app FULLY!!!! (I’m looking at you, Zoom, RU-vid, Discord, etc…) However, I have an odd bug in display settings when I go to turn on external display. My iPad icon shows in the opposite orientation I actually have it in.

the ipad should be able to work as wacom tablet for editing video and photo apps...

Still has a far way to go be a equal desktop replacement to a Mac. For me, I have a 2017 12.9 iPad Pro and I use it for what is, a consumption device, which is mostly RU-vid and web browsing. The only productive thing is if I need to digitally sign a document in Docusign. But for even basics like Email or any full productivity content creation tasks, that remains on on macOS and Windows. Apple I believe internally are conflicted about the iPads direction. These glaring bugs you demoed shows there is a combination of neglect. Apple should be pushing the device to extreme to make it a unique alternative, but its either a fear of cannibalism or they just don’t care.

I’ve just started using my iPad with an external display and I share many of the frustrations you’ve experienced. My overall feeling is that it’s not quite ready for a user like me. On the plus side, many of these quirks can be fixed with software updates. Just a shame though that we’ll likely not see fixes for many of these issues until at least the next iteration of iPadOS in 2024.

It is sad that apps like logic and final cut aren't able to go full screen. I've tried both and Dex on my tab s8+ feels so much less limited than my wife's m2 iPad. Can you imagine how many more iPads apple could sell if they just let you run macos apps on a 'pro' mode on iPads? The chips are the same, it should be so simple to do. Yes the Mac apps will be less 'intuitive' than the iPad apps when you don't have a keyboard attached.. But it is a pro branded product... 'pros' are smart enough to be allowed to figure out how to use their device the way they want. It would also make for a good reason to upsell to the pro iPads

its a companion to the mac, not a replacement for it

My 12.9 M1 iPad Pro would never work connecting to my Studio Display through any cable.

Things don’t go full screen because they are still iPad app and seem to be maxing at the iPad screen ratio

What video were you editing? Looks cool!

Yes

How do you alternate the use of the iPad and the MacStudio? You have to plug and unplug each time you want to use one or the other with the consequent wear and tear on the connectors.

Im a developer so sadly dont think the iPad will ever work for me, even though i wish it did

My question would be: how does it compare to basic Mac mini desktop experience?

No direct sound control is HUGELY frustrating on the iPad overall … like try to be on FaceTime and watching a video (b/c you can’t SharePlay because that works like hot garbage) … you cannot adjust the volume of the video - makes me insane … iOS needs a volume control widget … source, level, balance … ridiculous

How do I delete my vid before my everyone watches it?

Do you prefer the YoueTube iPad App, or the RU-vid website via Safari?

i love my ipad but i still don't get somethings 1. there is still no clip board 2. they automatically delete what i copied after 20min or so

Is the external camera support available for ms teams?

What iPhone stand is that on your desk?

Love the font your using for your title what font is it?

Can you use an iMacs display in this way?

can you set the display to screen one?

What’s the webcam on top of your studio display?

is that yellow keyboard, hanzo?

How can I get multiple screen monitors?

I have a Windows 11 desktop but I have an iPad 9th generation is it possible I hook up my iPad to my windows computer

One frustration that I have is that the iPad safari browser keeps hiding the title bar/toolbar when scrolling. Anyone knows how to permanently show it? It’s annoying that I have to hover to the top so it displays. tia

I have a question. You think the studio display isn't for you, but now you use it. What brought you back again?

Can it play yt video in full screen in external display?.

Thank you very much for sharing your experience. I’m currently using this setup and for “basic” tasks it has pretty much fulfilled my needs. I have experienced the same “issues” but the overall experience is good. Greetings from Paris. 13:12

My google meet app still doesn’t have this features (vídeo, audio and mic selection) you mentioned. Is it only available for pro iPads? I have de 10th gen.

Looks like Samsung Dex is ahead by quite the margin with their interface. iPad wins out in regards to app quality.

i tried it with hisense tv but it doesn’t recognize the monitor 😢

But no high refresh rate

been using stage manager on my 2018 11 inch need it as good as the features are the experience has been hella buggy! full screen app going black screen, frame drops etc :((

I tried to use my iPad air M1 as my unique computer and no, is not practical. I found really annoying that constantly pushes you to work with apps, not the browser and Drive app is really sh…😂😂 so I ended up buying a macbook🎉

Personal experience: iPad cannot replace a computer when using it for microsoft files and cloud. Everytime you open a file from the cloud, specially from the files app on the iPad, it damages the file and you can't get it back. Not recommended for office work.

love you aesthetic videos they are really iinteresteresting

They need to add 3 finger drag to iOS. Mac trackpads are absolutely unusable without it and the same goes for the iPad

Hello.. Can you do like, Procreate on iPad then RU-vid on an external monitor? Thank you..

what i dont understand is, is it easier to carry external keyboard, touchpad and a camera and a charger, than carrying a macbook ?

Direct sound control is in 17.1

What monitor is that

Why showing DaVinci Resolve when talking about how Lumafusion is convincing when taking the whole screen? Especially when Resolve refuses to go full screen on a monitor? Isn’t it a bit misleading?

Anyone else having issues connecting their M1 iPad Pro to a Studio Display using this setup? My iPad will not support and external displays since updating to iPad OS 17.1.1! 😥

Setup looks so 🤤