Many users out there on social media can’t seem to get enough external displays into their computer setups. Sometimes we see as many as six big screens. But don’t forget a simple way you can always add another small screen. Namely, don’t just add your MacBook open on the desk or on a stand. Include your iPad, too. Today’s M1 MacBook Air user proudly has his M4 iPad Pro mirror on Studio Display as it sits in the mix on a Twelve South stand.
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You can mirror M4 iPad Pro on Studio Display like this M1 MacBook Air setup user did
Redditor Ok-Mulberry6597 (“Ok”) showcased the neat and complete setup in a post entitled, “Mac/ipad/xbox/studio setup.” We last covered a picture-perfect iMac setup by Ok back in January. Last week we focused on the new setup’s trick to get Xbox One to play nice with Studio Display. Today we look at Ok’s use of M4 iPad Pro as a second external display, along with his Studio Display, which he mounts on a Satechi monitor riser.
“I know it’s expensive but that Studio Display is stunning!” Ok wrote. “In this setup: Studio display Macbook air M1 (under the riser) Ipad pro M4 13-inch (plus Pro Pencil and Magic Keyboard), Satechi keyboard Slim plus monitor raiser, [Logitech] MX Master mac (mouse), Grovemade deskmat, Ikea chair and desk, Metallica limited poster (coming up on the Wall soon) Xbox (really not using it, so no need to bad trash the display not being a gaming monitor).😉
Mirror M4 iPad Pro on Studio Display
Ok mounts his 13-inch M4 iPad Pro on a very capable Twelve South HoverBar Duo stand (Cult of Mac‘s reviewer found the stand to be incredibly versatile). In the photograph above, he mirrors the tablet’s screen on the Studio Display. At least one commenter mistook that for something else.
“How did you theme macOS to use the colored icons?” asked a commenter.
“The iPad is connected, it’s the iPad icons,” Ok replied. You can use the included Thunderbolt cable to connect the Studio Display to your iPad’s Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4 or USB-C port.
As Apple Support adds, “you can also connect an iPad to a Studio Display with a USB-C Display AV Adapter or USB-C VGA Multi-port Adapter. Then, connect an HDMI or VGA cable to the adapter and plug the other end into the display. If necessary, switch to the correct video source on the display.”
The user loves it
Other commenters showed curiosity about using iPad as a second external display.
“Looking at a setup like this for programming, how are you liking the iPad as a second screen?” asked a commenter. “I want to use my MacBook Pro like that.”
“I love using my iPad as a second monitor,” Ok replied. “The interface is really smooth and integrates nicely with my main monitor.”
And if you like the desktop wallpaper showing on the screens, Ok said it comes with iPadOS 18 (beta).
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iPad, stylus and stand:
Computer and Xbox:
Display:
Input devices:
Audio:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected]. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.