iPad Desk Setup in 2023 - Does it Suck?

My iPad desk setup with a full review on external monitor support & stage manager. Lots of tests of apps, gaming, user experience, performance and more!

Other iPad videos :

⚡ Featured :

📼 Timestamps :

• 0:00 - Desk Setup + Setup Guide
• 1:25 - Cool NEW things
• 3:34 - Good things, performance, gaming
• 5:40 - Tips & Tricks for better use
• 7:08 - Bad Things
• 9:17 - ANNOYING Things
• 11:14 - Is this Worth It?

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• Links provided are affiliated & help support the channel •

#ipad #desk #desksetup #ipadpro #ipados17

[ByteReview]

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

[eugenethegleek]

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. <3
2. I use the ipad with the pencil when I'm on set. With stage manager on, I always have 3 apps open. one for the pdf editor with the script and for note taking, one for the wireless patch of what we see on camera, and google sheets for the breakdown.
3. with the magic keyboard I get to work outside, comparable to my experience with my macbook (which I sold after I got my ipad). It's also great because I like writing scripts outdoors.

The addition of the external monitor support is great. I really do forget sometimes that my desk setup is powered only by an iPad. Especially when just browsing the internet, and streaming movies and series. I LOVE MY IPAD SO MUCH!

[VayshantRao]

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.

[greatkingrat]

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.

[benspriggs]

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

[ONLYSCAR]

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

[nickthaskater]

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.

[suvansh]

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.🥳

[mattmorelli]

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.

[Glashers]

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!

[Rekcah]

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

[terrywarnold]

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.

[gregwhates]

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

[andyhou]

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 YouTube 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.

[CollinJProbst]

I am blessed to be able to run two desk setups. One is a 34” ultrawide I push with my M2 MacBook Air. I LOVE it.

My second setup, completely different, is a 27” I run with my 11” M1 iPad Pro.

For Video work, IT work, or if I need to get a lot done in a session, I usually default to my MacBook Air at my desk with my iPad set up as companion. Not as another display, but with keyboard and mouse linked if I need it but I usually use it for notes and quick reference.

For admin work, knocking out some things on my “day off” or personal things, I usually use my iPad. My iPad is usually my device I will grab if I can only bring one too (quick trip out, coffee shop, etc.)


IF iPad was able to remote into other Mac’s (like ARD) without needing me to remote into a Mac mini with Team Viewer, then use ARD from there, I would go all iPad again. Did it for years, LOVED it.

Keep up the FANTASTIC content, my friend!

[ifc]

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.

[JudiChristopher]

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...

[LandsoulFFXI]

Hooking up your tablet to an extra monitor is a niche but it's something I am using. I don't have an ipad anymore, but really considering ipad again. I currently use Samsung dex on my phone and hook it up to a monitor on my working desk. It's nice and portable and can bring my own personal computer with me everywhere.

[gokkiyoutube]

Thank you for this specific analysis. I have had the same experience. A lot of small functions are still missing, with lots of limitations.

[hackintoshslovakia]

thanks for wallpaper, it's amazing