The iPad is the best external display I've used alongside a MacBook.

      I spend an excessive amount of time browsing communities that showcase aesthetic desktop setups. Recently, a friend ignited the group chat with a stunning triple monitor configuration featuring two vertical screens and an ultrawide curved monitor at the center. A quick swipe later, I transformed my own home desk into something similar.

      However, there's a catch. My $600 workstation upgrade provided visual satisfaction but limited utility. During the year, I’m often away from home for reporting assignments, working in deserted cafes or on uncomfortably small bunk beds. I do miss the ease of having large secondary screens. Interestingly, this need is met by a surprisingly simple device — the trusty iPad.

      In the past couple of years, I've carried iPads of various sizes, from the compact iPad mini to the entry-level model and the 13-inch iPad Pro. I've extensively used these devices for video editing, photo enhancements, gaming, and reading comics. Yet, the most significant benefit I’ve found from Apple’s tablet is using it as an external monitor.

      The problems an iPad resolves

      Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      There are plenty of minimalist monitors available, some thinner than the MacBook Air, with a few designed to attach directly to the laptop like a case. Nonetheless, external monitors present several fundamental issues, even if you're not troubled by carrying one in your bag.

      Firstly, they require a wired connection, which brings its own set of problems. This creates unnecessary cord clutter, and connecting an external monitor means sacrificing a port for the duration of your work.

      In an era of sleek laptops, ports are a valuable commodity. The MacBook Air, for instance, has only a couple of ports. This means you have to alternate between charging and connecting peripherals with the single USB-C port, which can't be done at the same time.

      If your job involves working with large media files, frequently connecting and disconnecting external storage becomes part of your routine, making it essential to have a free port available at all times. The solution? Get accustomed to using dongles or spend extra money on one.

      The biggest issue? Power consumption. You might not always have access to a power outlet, especially if you work on the go or away from home. I tested a sleek external monitor from Arzopa recently and liked it, but connecting it to my laptop drained the battery quickly, leaving me scrambling for a power outlet.

      So, there I was again, wrestling with power bricks, cables, and port anxiety. The iPad addresses all these challenges at once. There are no cables required, you're not weighed down by a power-draining device, and you don’t have to manage a bulky third-party app. The iPad is simply ready to go.

      The world's most convenient monitor

      Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      The Apple ecosystem is incredibly seamless.

      Nothing illustrates this better than using an iPad alongside a Mac. There’s no need for any pairing process. As long as both devices are logged into the same Apple account, you can get started right away. There’s no frustrating Bluetooth setup or manual Wi-Fi connection required.

      Just bring the two devices close together, and it's a smooth experience from that point forward. All you need to do is open the control center, click the screen mirroring icon, and select your iPad from the menu. You can even skip that part.

      Simply hover the cursor over the green window button in any Mac application, and you’ll see an option that says “move to iPad.” A single click is all it takes to shift that application to your iPad’s screen. That’s all there is to it; your external display is now functional.

      Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      You don’t even need to worry about unlocking your iPad. Even if it’s locked, just click that window control on your Mac, and it will open directly on your iPad’s screen. No unlocking or setup is necessary on either device.

      There’s nothing that compares to this kind of smooth interaction between two entirely different types of devices, separated by operating systems, except within the Apple ecosystem.

      Using an iPad as a secondary screen

      My workflow involves more applications than I’d like. While I can access many through browser tabs, switching between them can be cumbersome. I'd prefer using the Command+Tab shortcut to cycle through apps rather than going back to the mouse to find the right tab.

      Additionally, it’s challenging to manage notifications on platforms like Slack and Discord on a browser, where multiple channels can quickly disrupt my focus, making it hard to follow conversations spread across various tabs.

      Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      Thus, apps become my best option. Of course, that means having dedicated windows for each app, but a 13-inch laptop screen has limited space. Even with Stage Manager, you only gain a partial reprieve.

      Introducing an iPad allows me to comfortably position at least two low-priority or chat apps in split