Hello all. I am new to Apple and I dove into the deep end with the 2022 iPad Pro 12.9. I wanted to ask is there a way to use my new iPad as a laptop replacement? For example like when I want to use a mouse and keyboard, plug in to a monitor and work on Microsoft Word, etc. any tips and tricks are greatly appreciated. Thanks
iPad Pro, iPadOS 16
You have acquired the technically most powerful and flexible model of iPad. Insofar as any iPad is capable, yours offers the most opportunity to connect and effectively use external peripherals - such as an external monitor.
iPadOS16 brings great advances in external monitor support - or, perhaps more accurately, it will do when full Stage Manager support is released in a significant update later this year. As such, try not to be disappointed in understanding that Stage Manager support is currently limited to the iPad screen alone; for now, external monitor support is limited to native screen mirroring to an external TV or connected monitor.
The nuances and potential importance of Stage Manager support for external monitors will become apparent as you explore the capabilities of your new iPad. More information about Stage Manager can be found here:
Turn Stage Manager on or off on your iPad - Apple Support
Your iPad Pro natively supports both DisplayPort over USB and Thunderbolt monitor connections - and with an appropriate adapter or USB-C dock/hub, also supports HDMI and VGA.
As a laptop replacement, while the iPad is very capable using it’s touch screen alone, you may find greater flexibility in using Apple’s Magic Keyboard for iPad - which adds a keyboard and trackpad:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MJQK3B/A
A step-down might be Apple’s similar Folio Keyboard - this being a slimmer option featuring just a keyboard, without a built-in trackpad:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MXNL2B/A
Various good quality third party keyboard/trackpad options are also available. The Grandaddy of them all is the Brydge Max+ Pro for iPad:
https://www.brydge.co.uk/products/brydge-max-plus-for-ipad-pro?variant=39314338611311
Your iPad also supports external Bluetooth Keyboards, Trackpads and/or a mouse, these being ideal when using your iPad with a connected monitor as a desktop computer. In addition to third-party options, Apple market some really nice hardware of their own:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK2A3B/A
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MMMP3Z/A
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MMMQ3Z/A
As a presumed new user to iPad, be sure to at least browse the the iPad User Guide - this being a rich source of frequently overlooked information about your iPad and iPadOS. The Guide is available both online using a web browser (such as Safari), or as an Apple Books download:
iPad User Guide - Apple Support
https://books.apple.com/book/id1567104892
The Tips App, installed by default on all new models of iPad, provides a brief introduction - and leads you to the User Guide. In case you missed it, here is a link to the Tips App:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/tips/id1069509450
Apple also has a huge YouTube Channel - containing videos and feature guidance:
https://www.youtube.com/user/Apple
You have acquired the technically most powerful and flexible model of iPad. Insofar as any iPad is capable, yours offers the most opportunity to connect and effectively use external peripherals - such as an external monitor.
iPadOS16 brings great advances in external monitor support - or, perhaps more accurately, it will do when full Stage Manager support is released in a significant update later this year. As such, try not to be disappointed in understanding that Stage Manager support is currently limited to the iPad screen alone; for now, external monitor support is limited to native screen mirroring to an external TV or connected monitor.
The nuances and potential importance of Stage Manager support for external monitors will become apparent as you explore the capabilities of your new iPad. More information about Stage Manager can be found here:
Turn Stage Manager on or off on your iPad - Apple Support
Your iPad Pro natively supports both DisplayPort over USB and Thunderbolt monitor connections - and with an appropriate adapter or USB-C dock/hub, also supports HDMI and VGA.
As a laptop replacement, while the iPad is very capable using it’s touch screen alone, you may find greater flexibility in using Apple’s Magic Keyboard for iPad - which adds a keyboard and trackpad:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MJQK3B/A
A step-down might be Apple’s similar Folio Keyboard - this being a slimmer option featuring just a keyboard, without a built-in trackpad:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MXNL2B/A
Various good quality third party keyboard/trackpad options are also available. The Grandaddy of them all is the Brydge Max+ Pro for iPad:
https://www.brydge.co.uk/products/brydge-max-plus-for-ipad-pro?variant=39314338611311
Your iPad also supports external Bluetooth Keyboards, Trackpads and/or a mouse, these being ideal when using your iPad with a connected monitor as a desktop computer. In addition to third-party options, Apple market some really nice hardware of their own:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK2A3B/A
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MMMP3Z/A
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MMMQ3Z/A
As a presumed new user to iPad, be sure to at least browse the the iPad User Guide - this being a rich source of frequently overlooked information about your iPad and iPadOS. The Guide is available both online using a web browser (such as Safari), or as an Apple Books download:
iPad User Guide - Apple Support
https://books.apple.com/book/id1567104892
The Tips App, installed by default on all new models of iPad, provides a brief introduction - and leads you to the User Guide. In case you missed it, here is a link to the Tips App:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/tips/id1069509450
Apple also has a huge YouTube Channel - containing videos and feature guidance:
https://www.youtube.com/user/Apple
New iPad Pro 12.9 user
