iPad Pro iPad 26.2 and external monitor

[Gaprofitt]

So I am in the camp of an IPad will never be a laptop, but can get it close? I bought a Mac mini new for $399 the other day. I also have a MacBook Air and iPad 11 m5. I thought maybe I could use the Mac mini for my work from home and then just take the IPad into the office when I go. And give the air to my son.

So I plug in the iPad into my external monitor and connect my Magic Trackpad and magic keyboard and starting playing around. Man is it clunky. Teams seems ok but the outlook iPad app leaves a lot to be desired. Just switching apps, resizing windows. It felt like I was a beta tester. I don’t see anyway I could use this at work and be productive. Anyone else with me or am I missing something?

 

[Teelyttle]

I am in the same boat… while I love iPad, I can’t quite use it as a primary device for my work flow, but it’s the perfect complimentary device… at least for me.
Also, where did you get the Mac mini from for 399?

 

[Gaprofitt]

I am in the same boat… while I love iPad, I can’t quite use it as a primary device for my work flow, but it’s the perfect complimentary device… at least for me.
Also, where did you get the Mac mini from for 399?

Microcenter had them. I reserved one but I price matched with Best Buy. It will be here tomorrow.

 

[Traverse]

So I’m actually typing this on an iPad Pro (M4) on iPadOS 26 docked to a Studio Display using an external mouse and keyboard - just for the heck of it. Yesterday I shut down my MacBook Pro and connected my iPad and figured I’d use it for a few days.

I’m simultaneously impressed and disappointed. I’m impressed more in the novelty and that an iPad can function at this level which I find very interesting and makes this devices far more capable for short trips. However, the more I’ve gone past the surface the more I can tell that this is a mode bolted onto an experience that needs much more refinement from both Apple and third parties. Ignoring gripes I have just from being used to macOS the following are things I’ve noticed.

- No clamshell mode is clunky.
- FaceID prompts have no affordance for “docked” mode to just ask for your password.
- Mobile Safari can occasionally be flaky - I can’t select “bulleted list” here for example.
- Control center opens on the iPad’s display even if triggered from the Studio Display
- Apps are clearly not optimized for this mode. I’ve gotten weird spastic scrolling in Notes, YouTube doesn’t respond to a “scroll” like a touch so you have to click and slide things. Some apps have launched with another iPad menu bar at the top of the window. The stoplight controls very often overlay on top of in-app controls making them unusable. Some media apps i try to drag over the iPad and they blank out the Studio Display as they’re using a legacy mode where apps could project content full-screen onto external displays.
- Scaling is inconsistent. In Safari I have to often zoom in, but in some apps text is just too big.


There are other annoyances coming more from someone who is used to using macOS - things like running apps being in the dock. Really, it’s just very clear that this is a new mode that will require a lot of optimization. The concerning part is that I feel like the percentage of uses that even use an iPad in a laptop context - let alone docked to an external display - is too small to justify third-parties spending time optimizing their applications. This means it falls on Apple to come up with clever ways to work around unoptimized applications.

 

[Gaprofitt]

I am in the same boat… while I love iPad, I can’t quite use it as a primary device for my work flow, but it’s the perfect complimentary device… at least for me.
Also, where did you get the Mac mini from for 399?

So I’m actually typing this on an iPad Pro (M4) on iPadOS 26 docked to a Studio Display using an external mouse and keyboard - just for the heck of it. Yesterday I shut down my MacBook Pro and connected my iPad and figured I’d use it for a few days.

I’m simultaneously impressed and disappointed. I’m impressed more in the novelty and that an iPad can function at this level which I find very interesting and makes this devices far more capable for short trips. However, the more I’ve gone past the surface the more I can tell that this is a mode bolted onto an experience that needs much more refinement from both Apple and third parties. Ignoring gripes I have just from being used to macOS the following are things I’ve noticed.

- No clamshell mode is clunky.
- FaceID prompts have no affordance for “docked” mode to just ask for your password.
- Mobile Safari can occasionally be flaky - I can’t select “bulleted list” here for example.
- Control center opens on the iPad’s display even if triggered from the Studio Display
- Apps are clearly not optimized for this mode. I’ve gotten weird spastic scrolling in Notes, YouTube doesn’t respond to a “scroll” like a touch so you have to click and slide things. Some apps have launched with another iPad menu bar at the top of the window. The stoplight controls very often overlay on top of in-app controls making them unusable. Some media apps i try to drag over the iPad and they blank out the Studio Display as they’re using a legacy mode where apps could project content full-screen onto external displays.
- Scaling is inconsistent. In Safari I have to often zoom in, but in some apps text is just too big.


There are other annoyances coming more from someone who is used to using macOS - things like running apps being in the dock. Really, it’s just very clear that this is a new mode that will require a lot of optimization. The concerning part is that I feel like the percentage of uses that even use an iPad in a laptop context - let alone docked to an external display - is too small to justify third-parties spending time optimizing their applications. This means it falls on Apple to come up with clever ways to work around unoptimized applications.

Totally agree with everything you said. That being said I still enjoy the IPad for what it is. I almost feel like it’s better to just forego the external monitor and you’re left with two options.

Just use a 11 inch as more of an entertainment device. Light browsing, music. Watching movies on airplanes, hotels, checking email and the basics. Also for gaming.

Go 13 inch and use it as best you can as a productivity complement to another devices as well as for photo and video editing, emails etc. But then comes the question at this point just use a MacBook Air.

 

[Traverse]

Totally agree with everything you said. That being said I still enjoy the IPad for what it is. I almost feel like it’s better to just forego the external monitor and you’re left with two options.

Just use a 11 inch as more of an entertainment device. Light browsing, music. Watching movies on airplanes, hotels, checking email and the basics. Also for gaming.

Go 13 inch and use it as best you can as a productivity complement to another devices as well as for photo and video editing, emails etc. But then comes the question at this point just use a MacBook Air.

The funny thing is, I didn’t find the 13” iPad Pro to be that much better than the 11” honestly. It’s a 4:3 aspect ratio rathe than the nearly 3:2 ratio so split screen isn’t THAT roomy on the larger model. Plus, with display zoom you can effectively get 13” iPad room on the 11” iPad screen with smaller elements if you’re in a productivity session.

Granted you could use that setting on the 13” as well to get even more room, but I ended up feeling like both 11” and 13” screens are not ideal for standalone productivity so I’d rather have the more portable and versatile one.

 

[TheRealAlex]

So I am in the camp of an IPad will never be a laptop, but can get it close? I bought a Mac mini new for $399 the other day. I also have a MacBook Air and iPad 11 m5. I thought maybe I could use the Mac mini for my work from home and then just take the IPad into the office when I go. And give the air to my son.

So I plug in the iPad into my external monitor and connect my Magic Trackpad and magic keyboard and starting playing around. Man is it clunky. Teams seems ok but the outlook iPad app leaves a lot to be desired. Just switching apps, resizing windows. It felt like I was a beta tester. I don’t see anyway I could use this at work and be productive. Anyone else with me or am I missing something?

I have been using an 11" iPad Pro for the last 4 cycles and with my M5 11" I will be save in saying it's better than 95% of the laptops on the Market. if I need to Scan and Sign a Document that's NOT happening on a Laptop. If I need maximum portability that's not happening on a laptop.

 

[Gaprofitt]

I have been using an 11" iPad Pro for the last 4 cycles and with my M5 11" I will be save in saying it's better than 95% of the laptops on the Market. if I need to Scan and Sign a Document that's NOT happening on a Laptop. If I need maximum portability that's not happening on a laptop.

You really think so? Maybe in performance but the software leaves a lot be desired. Maybe if you don’t use Microsoft office and or run many apps. There is a $600 gap between the A16 and the cheapest pro. Sure the OLED screen is nice but are you really doing say video editing or photo editing on an 11 inch model? I love IPads for consumption, but for productivity it’s just not there with the current OS.

 

[Meedoss]

So I’m actually typing this on an iPad Pro (M4) on iPadOS 26 docked to a Studio Display using an external mouse and keyboard - just for the heck of it. Yesterday I shut down my MacBook Pro and connected my iPad and figured I’d use it for a few days.

I’m simultaneously impressed and disappointed. I’m impressed more in the novelty and that an iPad can function at this level which I find very interesting and makes this devices far more capable for short trips. However, the more I’ve gone past the surface the more I can tell that this is a mode bolted onto an experience that needs much more refinement from both Apple and third parties. Ignoring gripes I have just from being used to macOS the following are things I’ve noticed.

- No clamshell mode is clunky.
- FaceID prompts have no affordance for “docked” mode to just ask for your password.
- Mobile Safari can occasionally be flaky - I can’t select “bulleted list” here for example.
- Control center opens on the iPad’s display even if triggered from the Studio Display
- Apps are clearly not optimized for this mode. I’ve gotten weird spastic scrolling in Notes, YouTube doesn’t respond to a “scroll” like a touch so you have to click and slide things. Some apps have launched with another iPad menu bar at the top of the window. The stoplight controls very often overlay on top of in-app controls making them unusable. Some media apps i try to drag over the iPad and they blank out the Studio Display as they’re using a legacy mode where apps could project content full-screen onto external displays.
- Scaling is inconsistent. In Safari I have to often zoom in, but in some apps text is just too big.


There are other annoyances coming more from someone who is used to using macOS - things like running apps being in the dock. Really, it’s just very clear that this is a new mode that will require a lot of optimization. The concerning part is that I feel like the percentage of uses that even use an iPad in a laptop context - let alone docked to an external display - is too small to justify third-parties spending time optimizing their applications. This means it falls on Apple to come up with clever ways to work around unoptimized applications.

Just doing he same, got a M4 11” at a steal and using with my studio display with apple keyboard and track pad, just sold a 15” M4, will probably get a mini 4, too many annoyances to go iPad only so far.
Not being able to adjust screen brightness on the keyboard is just one. Have to go into iPad settings lol

 

[Meedoss]

Totally agree with everything you said. That being said I still enjoy the IPad for what it is. I almost feel like it’s better to just forego the external monitor and you’re left with two options.

Just use a 11 inch as more of an entertainment device. Light browsing, music. Watching movies on airplanes, hotels, checking email and the basics. Also for gaming.

Go 13 inch and use it as best you can as a productivity complement to another devices as well as for photo and video editing, emails etc. But then comes the question at this point just use a MacBook Air.

Except the MacBook Air screen is just average imo

 

[Gaprofitt]

Except the MacBook Air screen is just average imo

Totally agree with that. There is no comparison.

 

[robertosh]

I'm developer and my app is broken with the new multi-tasking feature in iOS 26. Even though my app is 100% native SwiftUI. It's simply that is not meant to be resized as user wants, and Apple does not allow anymore to force an app to be full-screen only and not user resizable. With this panorama, and given that it's a niche use case for an iPad, I don't plan to make any effort on adapting my app for that.

I think multi-tasking on iPad, beyond split view, makes no sense. In fact, at least in my case, what I like from iPad is that I can focus on a single app to do one task in a proper way. For more complex workflows that involves many apps and windows, I have my 40" screen on my mac.

 

[rappr]

With this panorama, and given that it's a niche use case for an iPad, I don't plan to make any effort on adapting my app for that.

When people complain about iPadOS, some things are on Apple, but a lot the problems are developers not taking advantage of features that have been built into the OS for years. Case in point.

 

[Traverse]

When people complain about iPadOS, some things are on Apple, but a lot the problems are developers not taking advantage of features that have been built into the OS for years. Case in point.

That’s very true, however there is an argument to be made that expecting developers to optimize for the iPad’s ever-changing multitasking paradigms isn’t realistic depending on context. Admittedly, I am not a developer, but @robertosh claims that they are using all of Apple’s native code and it still doesn’t work correctly.

The number of users that will be using multi-window mode beyond Split View on iPad is already small. The number that will push this further using accessories is practically non-existent. Unless it is an iPad-first company or a passionate indie developer, most won’t see an incentive and optimizing for such a niche workflow. This means that it’s on Apple to ensure that so long as developers drop in native APIs and follow Apple’s best practices that it just works acceptably. Of course, those same developers can take it a step further, but I think the current system will never be what it could be because developers don’t have the incentive to optimize for it.

 

[rappr]

You could argue that following best practices includes taking advantage of the existing Auto Layout and Size Class apis to build adaptive layouts.

The only drastic change we’ve had with iPad multitasking has been the addition of free floating windows in iPadOS 16. The current windowing is an iteration on that basic concept. Before that we’ve have Slide Over and Split View for the better part of a decade. It’s not like this has been a constantly shifting target.

 

[Andy_2341]

You really think so? Maybe in performance but the software leaves a lot be desired. Maybe if you don’t use Microsoft office and or run many apps. There is a $600 gap between the A16 and the cheapest pro. Sure the OLED screen is nice but are you really doing say video editing or photo editing on an 11 inch model? I love IPads for consumption, but for productivity it’s just not there with the current OS.

I'm not a photo editor beyond basic Photos app modifications, but I used to use an iPad mini 6 on iPadOS 18 and betas of 26 for productivity. I primarily worked with G-suite and safari based stuff. It did fine but had a lot of reloads due to low RAM. That being said, a Mac with a big screen will always be better for multiasking productivity. I've just bought a mini 7 to replace hole the iPad left for games and on-the-go productivity, because the new OS does excel in that sense. There's places an iPad, especially the mini, can go that adds immense ability for some productivity tasks over lugging around a MacBook air or trying to use an iPhone. Certainly not a solution for professional workflows though.

 

[leifp]

iPadOS 26 seems to be that rare beast to me: gave me everything I’ve been hoping for since I first tried using the OG iPad as a laptop replacement and I hate it to its core. I have disabled all multitasking on my mainly Magic Keyboard equipped 11” M4 iPad Pro and will be keeping an eye out for the mythical iPad mini pro rumoured for an autumn 2026 release…

 

[WU27f1xcCs]

Am I crazy to believe that if Apple got the “when it’s docked it’s like a laptop” experience right, they could do amazingly well in the corporate world, at senior levels (obviously not for those needing specific software), replacing Windows laptops rather than Macs?

 

[Andy_2341]

Am I crazy to believe that if Apple got the “when it’s docked it’s like a laptop” experience right, they could do amazingly well in the corporate world, at senior levels (obviously not for those needing specific software), replacing Windows laptops rather than Macs?

I think that is an amazing idea and should be something they look into. Then any particular software that isn't too heavy, which should be a fair bit due to the fact most run M-Series chips now, would be worth adapting to app store/iPad. This would be a cool way to cut into the windows side though