We have witnessed a significant shift in the way professionals work, with the hybrid working environment emerging as a prominent trend that is here to stay. With this change, more iPad users are seeking accessories that can transform their powerful tablets into effective laptop replacements. Accessories like wireless keyboards, wireless mice, and trackballs can enhance the iPad experience, making it resemble a MacBook. And, with the latest release of iOS, users can now enjoy a seamless connection to view the iPad on a larger screen via extended mode using Stage Manager. This productivity-enhancing feature is beneficial for quick conference calls, online learning, and other collaboration and multitasking opportunities. Utilizing an iPad-compatible mobile dock—or an SD standard dock that can even charge your iPad while extending the display—provides the necessary support to transform your iPad into a workstation-like setup, ensuring a more productive and seamless experience. In this article, we'll discuss how Stage Manager unlocks new productivity possibilities and explore options for transforming your M1 or newer iPad into a laptop-like workstation.
Why Stage Manager is a Game-Changer
Before Stage Manager, mirror mode was the go-to display replication tool for iPad. And, while mirror mode is great for mirroring whatever is on the iPad screen, it does not provide full screen viewing options for many apps, and it cannot serve as a secondary monitor for background apps. By contrast, Stage Manager allows users to connect their iPad to an external display and use it as a secondary monitor. With Stage Manager enabled, users gain an additional working screen that allows for full screen viewing and background app viewing. In other words, extended mode provides a distinct workspace separate from the iPad's primary display, enhancing your multitasking capabilities and maximizing productivity.
A few examples of how Stage Manager's extended mode can be used to enhance your workflow include:
- Conduct full-screen internet searches on an external display.
Your iPad can continue to function and accommodate additional applications on the external display. These applications will be represented as thumbnails on the side of your iPad, allowing for easy access and efficient multitasking. - Enjoy full-screen views of apps, websites, videos, and more on an external display.
Seamlessly move apps, windows, and content between the iPad and the external display, enabling smoother multitasking and improved workflow. You can arrange and customize the placement of apps, windows, and content on both screens, tailoring the workspace to your preferences and needs—and maximizing your visual experience. - Effectively collaborate on a video conference.
Utilize one screen for your video call and the other as a reference to the meeting's agenda or your notes for discussion.
What You Need to Transform Your iPad into a Laptop-Like Workstation
To transform your iPad into a laptop-like workstation, consider the following:
- Use iPads with M1 or newer chips. Here are the compatible devices listed on Apple's support page.
- With iPadOS 16.2 or later, you can use Stage Manager to move apps and windows to an external display using iPads with M1 or newer chips.
- An external display
- A cable to connect the iPad to your external display (such as a USB-C® to HDMI®, USB-C® Thunderbolt™ cable, or DisplayPort™ adapter)
- An iPad-compatible docking station (Portable Mobile Dock, Standard Dock)
- An iPad-compatible wired or wireless mouse, trackball, or trackpad
- An iPad-compatible keyboard (such as the Multi-Device Dual Wireless Compact Keyboard)
How to Choose the Best Docking Station for Your iPad
Choosing the best docking station for your iPad is essential to enhance its functionality and ensure a seamless user experience.
If you use both a laptop and an iPad, a standard dock is ideal—it can provide charging while connected to your laptop, and you can switch to your iPad for tasks like drawing, with continued support for charging and display. Standard docks also typically offer more ports for connecting all your peripherals and can even support phone charging.
If you are looking for a portable option, consider any of Kensington's iPad-compatible mobile docks. The UH1510P EQ USB-C® Driverless Mobile Dock -- 85W Pass-Through Power -- DP/HDMI® offers plenty of ports for connecting dongle-based wireless keyboards and trackballs, as well as Ethernet and card readers. It also offers the opportunity to use a USB-C® power adapter to charge your iPad while utilizing the dock. In addition, you can enhance any mobile dock setup by utilizing a Collapsible Aluminum Laptop Riser to neatly position your iPad alongside the external monitor.
| Compatible iPads | Device on your desk | Docking Station | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) iPad Air 13-inch (M3) iPad Air 11-inch (M3) iPad Air 13-inch (M2) iPad Air 11-inch (M2) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M2) iPad Pro 11-inch (M2) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M1) iPad Pro 11-inch (M1) iPad Air (M1) |
iPad Only | Portable Mobile Dock | Ideal for remote work — compact and portable Easy display setup — driverless DP/HDMI® support Connect everything — keyboard, mouse, Ethernet, and SD cards Clean and organized desk setup — add a laptop riser to neatly position your iPad |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (M2) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M1) iPad Pro 11-inch (M1) iPad Air (M1) |
iPad, MacBook, Laptop, and Smartphone | Standard Dock | One cable. All your devices. Connect your laptop, iPad, keyboard, mouse, and more—effortlessly. Power while you work. Charge your laptop, iPad, and phone all at once. Quick display setup. Driverless DP/HDMI® makes adding monitors fast and easy. Easily switch from laptop to iPad with just one cable. Move from laptop to iPad without unplugging your peripherals. More ports. Less hassle. Connect all your peripherals easily. |
How to Enable Stage Manager
Once you have all the components you need for your workstation, enabling Stage Manager is easy—simply swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPad screen to open the Control Center, then tap the Stage Manager button.
Conclusion
Whether you opt for the standard dock that supports your laptop, iPad, and iPhone charging, or a simplified mobile dock setup, the right accessories allow you to unlock the full potential of your M1 or newer iPad, transforming it into a laptop-like workstation. With the extended mode feature of Stage Manager, you can enjoy a customizable workspace, enhanced multitasking, and a full-screen experience — all while boosting your productivity and workflow.
Kensington's standard docks do it all. The portable mobile dock, UH1510P, supports iPads with M1 or newer chipsets, enabling extended mode on an external monitor at up to 4K @ 60Hz. The setup looks clean, with the iPad neatly placed on a laptop riser, alongside a wireless keyboard, trackball, and wireless headset on the worktable.
Get the most from your iPad with standard docks and iPad-compatible mobile stations.