All iPads Ipad Size to use as Second Monitor (Sidecar) with Macbook Pro 13"

[BrookSun]

Hello all,

I recently started a new job that provided me with a new M1 Macbook Pro (13" screen) for work. For the last many years I have been using PC computers for work (I am an academic researcher/professor), but have really come to love the Macbook and ios .

Having a second monitor to work on with my new Macbook is really essential for my work, which involves (a) a lot of dry academic-type research, (b) reading a ton of academic papers (and books), (c) grading hundreds of exams from my students, (d) note-taking at faculty meetings, (e) utilizing split screen and so forth. Basically, I am spoiled in needing one monitor to have a draft of the research paper that I am writing at the moment, and a second monitor that would have my research laid out, or paper outline, or a new journal article, or notes, etc... I would also like to use a second device (such as an ipad) for personal use (watching videos, maybe some light gaming, social media, etc...) [using my work-issued MPB for those purposes seem like a no no]

My dilemma is whether I should opt for a Gen 3 2018 12.9" Ipad Pro which would give me an ideal work situation (screen size nearly identical to my MBP 13", plenty of screen size for what I would use it for, excellent screen), but might be too big for casual personal use? I tried a buddy's out with my MBP and it was awesome for work, but after borrowing it for a couple of days it did seem very large for personal use.

The other option I am considering is hoping that the soon-to-be released basic Ipad 9 will come in a 10.5" form factor, that it will be released early in September (I really need that second monitor asap if possible), and that the 10.5" screen will be large enough for my work needs (although it assuredly would be large enough for my personal use). I used Sidecar with the old 9.7" ipad and the screen was waaayyy too small (for me) to use as a second monitor.

Am I being unrealistic in hoping that a 10.5" screen (if the new Ipad even comes with one as rumored) would be large enough if the 9.7 was not? Basically, it would be cool to save @ $300 if so, but I know an older gen 12.9 would be a wild success on the work front (not as sure re personal use).

Thanks all!

[Oh, and I am not really considering the Ipad Pro 11"- the price savings (at least re the Apple refurbished store) are not enough for me to opt for that over the 12.9- plus, I dont really need the additional firepower of a Pro model anyway]

 

[BATman.Berlin]

Do you need mobility on a 2nd screen? There are no lent of portable solutions out there giving you some extra real estate. If not, I’d recommend a real monitor for the desk.

But sidecar is the function you are searching for and it works well

 

[BrookSun]

Thanks- yes I really need the mobility. I actually have dual monitors in my office, and used to have dual monitors in my home office (we recently moved to a new city, and have no space for a separate office at the moment - so I tend to work in study nooks in our apt bldg and other spaces). In about a year we will likely buy a house and I'll bring the dual monitors out of storage).

 

[vemac575]

Thanks- yes I really need the mobility. I actually have dual monitors in my office, and used to have dual monitors in my home office (we recently moved to a new city, and have no space for a separate office at the moment - so I tend to work in study nooks in our apt bldg and other spaces). In about a year we will likely buy a house and I'll bring the dual monitors out of storage).

I find the ipad air 4 big enough for me. Extremely portable too.

 

[sahni130]

I use iPad Air 4 with the MacBook Air. I figured if I am looking to travel as light as possible, the 10.9-inch (or 11-inch) is just about perfect with the 13.3 inch laptop. I imagine 12.9 would be better but half a pound is half a pound and I like the size of the iPad Air as a tablet otherwise. Personally, I think the 10.2 would work okay too.

 

[G5isAlive]

I have both the large 12.9 iPad Pro and the 11". What is your main reason for going this route? if it's a personal iPad, get the smaller, if you really want a second display get the larger. Personally, I hook up to a 27 inch monitor when I get the chance so I can't imagine why you would not get the biggest you can if a second monitor really is your goal. I sorta get the feeling the second screen concept might be more of an excuse than actual need.

 

[ericwn]

Since you tried the 12.9 already, check out the iPad Air 4 as an alternative to the 11” and see how that works for you. If it’s not your thing, return during the return period.

 

[BrookSun]

Thank all- its good to hear many have had success with the 10.5 air and the 11 pro. My primary reason for getting the ipad will be to use it as a second monitor (and so 12.9 would be best), yet I worry I wont use a 12.9 much for personal use due to its size. I suppose I am weighing whether it makes sense to wait until mid-September or so when the new basic Ipad 9 is announced (if it really will have a larger 10.5 screen) to give that a shot and save some $$, or just be done with it and get the 12.9 given that my semester teaching begins in two weeks. Ideally, I would get the 12.9 refurb now and try to return it when the new ipad 9 comes out, but refurbs only have a return period of 14 days I believe .

 

[mk313]

If it were me, I’d get the smaller iPad and use the money I saved over the. 12.9 on a second monitor. You can get them pretty cheap and it’s way better for sustained work than a 11” or 13” monitor/ipad.

That way you get the benefit of the larger monitor wherever you use it most and still have the portability of the smaller iPad and can use that as your portable second screen for when you are out and about.

 

[BrookSun]

If it were me, I’d get the smaller iPad and use the money I saved over the. 12.9 on a second monitor. You can get them pretty cheap and it’s way better for sustained work than a 11” or 13” monitor/ipad.

That way you get the benefit of the larger monitor wherever you use it most and still have the portability of the smaller iPad and can use that as your portable second screen for when you are out and about.

Thanks- I already own two decent Acer external monitors, but I have them in storage for the entire year (the apt we moved into while hoping to buy a house for next year is way too small to allow for a work desk situation which is why im looking for a mobile second monitor that I can take anywhere). Dang, just wish Apple would confirm whether the next base ipad will be 10.5" or not!

 

[fwmireault]

I used both 11 inch and 12.9 inch iPad Pro as second monitor for my 15 inch MacBook Pro. I liked both, but for different reasons. Obviously the 12.9 give you a great and big display which is easier to work in complement with your computer. But, for a mobile setup, having 12.9 inch iPad and 15 or even 13 inch MacBook Pro become a pretty heavy and cumbersome setup. For that reason, if weight is an issue, I would recommend you going with the base iPad. Also, iPads (especially the Pro) are a very expensive option for monitor use. If you don’t plan to use the iPad that much for other purposes, I would get the base iPad, because as much as I love the 12.9 inch iPad Pro, it’s a very expensive option if you use it almost just as a second monitor.

That said, I don’t know if we’ll see a new iPad in september. If you want a good compromise on screen size without having to wait a few months for a base iPad refresh, maybe the iPad Air would suit you.

 

[Digitalguy]

I use sidecar everyday with my Mac Mini. It's more that just a second screen, it's also the keyboard of my mac mini (the magic keyboard of my iPad pro is the keyboard of my Mac Mini via sidecar).
Of course it's a different setup with a 22in Monitor as the main one and the iPad pro below it as second one plus Keyboard. And the pencil is great to annotate documents.
Personally I find the 12.9 much better than any other iPad for sidecar... The 11in is usable but feels really cramped...
But in terms of iPad use, it's subjective, I prefer the larger size even for my use... Since I got the 12.9 I use my 11 much less... Another thing to consider is speakers, the base iPad is much worse than a pro when it comes to speakers. But again the 12.9 is mainly for home use for me (for both sidecar and entertainement). When I teach at University I take a smaller one as second screen since I have so many iPads... (used with my Windows laptop with duet display, but I don't do much I use it just to have more than one document open at the same time, if I needed more room I would take the 12.9)

 

[BrookSun]

Thanks everyone! Ill wait it out for another week or two to see if there is any new updates on the upcoming base Ipad 9- if not, I will likely give the 12.9 a shot and hope for the best (even if its a bit overkill for my use).