No joke: The internet needs more people like you. Seriously intelligent thoughts about all topics you cover. You don’t fanboy anything too much. You seem to take immense effort to produce your videos in a way that doesn’t waste time, is entertaining, and DELIVERS VALUABLE INFORMATION! This is just a comment, amongst so many more, but please take a moment to acknowledge the GOOD that you are truly doing and that you are making SO MANY people better educated and engaged with each video. Thanks so much 👍
The demos are a little confusing. You keep showing the iPad running in iPad mode and not as an extended display, which is just another Mac desktop space. When using the iPad as an extended display it just behaves exactly as an extended display. In fact this is so transparent that I forgot there was a "Sidecar" thing, which can show the MacBook Pro task bar. If you don't need the side buttons or task bar, simply using the iPad as an extended display (System Settings > Displays > [+] > Mirror or Extend To > My iPad) works great, with almost no visible latency. It works especially well when connected via USB.
I've replaced my portable 14" display with an iPad. Btw, I do not remember since then, but there is no "sidecar" anymore. If you have an iPad near your Mac, or connected with a cable, you go to display settings, and it give you options to mirror or extend the main screen, or use the iPad as the main screen.
This feature has improved a lot in the past few years. Last time I tried it the resolution was wrong and there was a massive delay. Now I just click the control centre button in the top right and and press mirror and it just works. Shame they don't let you change the resolution ... such an apple move to artificially restrict you like this. This actually worked in the past and has now disappeared.
I often find my self using an iPad as secondary display when I don't want to be at my desk, but nothing is like using Immersed in Meta Quest 3 and up to 5 displays 😎👍
Uhm, you didn't actually show sidecar for most shots in the video. Universal control (sharing mouse and keyboard, dragging files, etc, what you showed) is not sidecar. Sidecar does what you showed Splashtop/Duet for
The setup I’m considering is using the iPad with the Magic Keyboard as a laptop replacement (using RDP) and connecting my portable monitor to it and leaving the big laptop at the office.
Yam display - is an almost perfect program to make an iPad as an external display. I have used it for a long time already; it's like an actual real monitor.
I have an old iPad 4 and have been using Yam Display for months. The wireless version is bleh, but the wired is great. Can’t watch DRM streaming services, but at that point I use the main display.
I've thought about getting an iPad to replace my physical lab notebook (mainly since the folks I work for are transitioning to digital notebooks anyways), and the ability to use it as a second screen would help a lot with my software workflow. Seems like the 13" versions are better suited for being a second screen, but they are definitely less portable and probably more annoying to write on versus the 11" ones.
11" is fine IMO, that's what I run alongside a 14 M1 MBP. For software dev, usually I have a code editor on the main screen, and the side display will have reference docs, or Postman, or the dev server in a browser window.
I've used Sidecar quite a bit, and it's always just so fussy. Sometimes it just decides not to work, and that's even with a USB-C cable. If iPad OS pushes a new update, Sidecar simply won't work unless I commit to the 3+GB download and 20 minute wait time, longer if my internet availability is spotty. Sometimes it just doesn't show up at all for no apparent reason. With an external display, plug in the cable, and boom, you're done.
running wired to my ipad mini is pretty nice, its a small display but great for just showing a finder window or a reference while doing other stuff on main displays. zero lag when running wired!
I use iPad as a second screen since the sidecar was introduced. First my setup was ipad pro 12.9 with 13" mbp, now its 11" pro with mbp 14", so I have quite a lot experience with this setup. And I see couple more pros while using it: - Thats quite fast to set up. Just open laptop lid, set ipad nearby and it works, with no cables. - I always use wireless connection and I do not experience a lot problems with a connection. Yep, like once a month something happens, but that's not often and does not like a con for me. Wireless connection is the main factor for me. Some scenarios from my past experience which may happen only with ipad: - I am travelling somewhere and have a chance to find some table to work (like it the airport/bar/mcdonalds). It takes just a few seconds to take laptop and ipad out from the bag and start doing things. No cables, and no extra power drain. - I am working from home and want to go downstairs to the caffe and drink there coffee. It's just a few seconds to put both devices to the same case and go down. Almost exactly the same time as with only the laptop. - I want to show something to my wife on my laptop (like while browsing internet in my chair. Latest case was the hotel selection for the past weekend trip). I just mirror display to the iPad and handover it to her. I did not even think that this scenario exists before I started to use iPad as a second screen.
I have a MacBook Pro M3Pro 13" together with a 12.9" iPad Pro, which match great in size, and think it works really well. So good in fact that I sometimes use it in the office letting the big display rest for a day or two. I use it in a mix of "Ipad-mode" and extended desktop depending on what I'm working on. I really like it!
I have a recommendation to be able to change the Display Resolution of the iPad in Sidecar Mode: There is an application called Better Display which gives the option to change the resolution of the iPad and thus give more screen real estate. I believe there is a free version with paid upgrades available. This one Mac app was the only reason I was able to use my iPad as a secondary monitor. Otherwise, the 11” screen is just not enough and shows things too big. But all that being said: I still use my “real” external travel monitor when I am not flying because it just is that much bigger (4K, OLED, 15.4”). Hope that helps.
Does using USB-C/Lightning connection instead of WiFi for SideCar help with the battery life on the iPad used as a second screen? There should be zero lag also if using this option and the cable is tiny/low weight. iPad 11" = 460g + 200g (folio) = 660g additional weight to bear in mind, but you do get a tablet to use touch too. Very useful video, thank you.
It will work if you don’t have a VPN app on the MacBook. The VPN app messes up the iPad's USB identifier, making it so you can only use Sidecar over Wi-Fi, which results in a black screen. 😕
I don't know if it's something you'd want to do, but I'd love a video on how to pick an external display. As you mentioned here, there are tons of options and price points, and I'd love some kind of guide on which one might be best for me.
I think it really depends on your use case. Until recently, I used a ten year old iPad (the original ipad air) wired to a Windows laptop with some free software (xdisplay I believe it was?). I only needed it to show me reference materials for the research work I was doing while working on the laptop. For that purpose, the (almost imperceptible) lag didn’t matter, and, joy oh joy, I basically had a “free” second screen.
What are your thoughts about using VR as a productivity tool for an external display? It would seem like the best for traveling, particularly for their formfactor , screen size/resolution customizability, etc. (something small like the Bigscreen beyond or god forbid Apple Vision Pro). If VR is too much, what about AR glasses like the XReal airs...? I just can't help but think that dedicated monitors will be antiquated in 10 years or less.
I don't think monitors will be going anywhere soon. Think of the eye fatigue and strain those Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality headset can cause. They are cool, but its hard to work with them for hours. Think of the weight, battery, cable, the discomfort and other health issues.
Duet display works fine for me. I can even connect my android tablet. I recommend using a cable. The only annoying thing is that you need an extra port for charging on the macbook and, on battery operation, either the tablet charges the macbook or vice versa. There is no "no charge" option.
Very useful video for people considering options. Ultimately I came to the same conclusion as Alex and travel with an external 16" USB-C monitor paired with a MacBook. Primarily used for coding and productivity, otherwise I use the laptop monitor only for casual use. I tried Duet too but I agree, the lag and lack of stability is not worth the tradeoff of flexibility. I would say it might be a good option for streamers or traders who just need a screen to monitor, like stream chat or a stock chart.
I find the combo with an ipad - at home in particular the 12.9 iPad pro excellent, after years of use I still have to experience the first glitch or connection issue (my OS on all devices is always up to date), and my wifi seems to be very stable. Mobile, I often use either the 11 or even the mini in combo with my macbook air, most often wired. The small mini offers very useful space for email, whatsapp,.. and I don’t have to carry/purchase an extra device, as I always have an ipad with me. The moft cases, that provide some options for elevation are quite useful for this purpose.
I use ipad pro as secondary monitor to my windows laptop. Just connect it via usb a or usb c. And windows needs to have apple devices app/itunes on and spacedesk on ipad.. Once you say yes.. thats it.. it does have lag of few milliseconds to not justify it as a secondary gaming monitor. But for normal task i do this and touchscreen works on top of everything
My two favorite iPad covers/stands are from Apple and Logitech. While both have integrated keyboards, the Logitech cover sometimes fails to work after Apple's OS updates.
one more pro when using an ipad as an extended monitor. you can bring it as a standalone laptop when you’re in a coffee shop or plane even for coding. like having a pouch instead of a backpack. i’m planning to buy an ipad air 5 for my mbp as extended screen.
I lay the ipad over the mac book keyboard and have the macbook on a small stand on angle. works pretty great. I could never trust an external monitor thing that clamps on to my extremely thin and fragile macbook screen.
As far as I know, you can actually use ipad with wired connection as a secondary display - I've tested it myself, when both my mac and ipad were disconnected from the wifi. When both devices are connected via cable, there is still and option to connect ipad to mac, and use it as a secondary display. Unfortunately, there's not option to specify charging behaviour, so Ipad always would be charged from the mac :|
Did you edit this one yourself also? All while doing a full time job, and coding? Love to know what you sacrifice to do all these videos... :) Your weekends?
@@AZisk Even for just an IDE? I tried the iPad approach and, like you said it seemed flaky. I tried two portable monitors and, totally agree, battery life is prohibitive. Never tried a second laptop, yet. I was also wondering if there is a usb c -> ‘battery + pass through’ product so that the MacBook doesn’t drain. Thanks for responding, love your channel.
I also have an Android based E-reader. I was considering whether Duet Display might work on it. Then I could edit in daylight, though IDK if the refresh rate would make it unusable.
What I really hate about Sidecar is that connecting via USB won’t work (black screen) if you have a VPN app on the MacBook. 😡 The Sidecar Wi-Fi still works, but I can’t charge my iPad with Sidecar using USB at the same time.
What’s up with your Apple Vision Pro? I would expect to take that with me for travel to work with more space. Yes just one Mac screen (yet; which sucks), but most stuff I don‘t need the Mac screen for an can use AVP windows for.
Hello. Why not using better displays app on the macbook pro 16 with ipad and sidecar. With that app you will have the possibility to make custom settings to your ipad
My ultra portable setup consist of 3 27 inch displays, keyboard and mouse and a pair of speaker with a strong bass module weighting 10kg, and of course, a 14 inch macbook weighting less than 2 kg
Sidecar isn’t reliable for you? I’d talk to an Apple genius about it. Personally, I’ve had nearly perfect experience with it and hope you do soon as well
i would just prefer the cables for the portable display with angled connectors, so they are more aligned with the display edge and don't stick out that much... apart from it looking much better, it certainly is safer not to bump into them
I use my iPad Pro as a portable display all the time. I NEVER had it disconnect on me. Ever. Whether wired or wireless, simply never. There are two downsides though... Sidecar works, because your mac creates a virtual display, records it and streams it over to your iPad. This means you only have sRGB and not a pinch more, and if you're tired of work, and want to watch something DRM-protected while reading emails or something like that - You can't. Once again, Sidecar works by recording a virtual display, and DRM is made in a way that blacks out your content if you try to record. Anyways, I'll finish right here, because yesterday I got roasted by Linus himself for knowing a bit too much.
You can try Intel Unison for using your iPad as a secondary display for Windows PC. It's wireless and works quite good, though you may find a little delay sometimes!
Hey mate, so the "tank" dual screen option - are you using both screens with the MBP M1 to give 3 screens in total? I thought M1 only supported 2 screens in total?
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this in the comments already. But there is a third option and perhaps the cheapest. Virtual displays. It’s baked into macOS. You can have as many displays as you want. You can swipe between displays quite easily. Nothing extra to carry. Of course it may not be as convenient as having a second screen. But you’re only focusing on one display at a time anyway (unless one has full control of their eyeballs 👀).
How about minisforum V3? It can act as display, also a x86 windows tablet/laptop Won’t it be nice to have if you need to working as a display monitors or x86 environment?
Since I started to use MacBooks- I find myself comfortable with no additional displays. Virtual desktops happened so smooth and easy to use so I sold my monitors and still happy(full-stack developer since 2014)
Hello! Thanks for another great video! I'm deciding between an Asus Zenbook Ultra 7 155h and a Macbook Air M3 16gb. Which would you prefer for C# and C++ development, futureproofing a bit for AI python stuff? Should i wait for Snapdragon X?
Using a 16" MacBook is nearly impossible on an international flight since too many people lean their seats as far back as possible, leaving your display at a bad angle. This even happens on domestic flights, but mainly on the red eye.
