The iPad is an utterly lame external monitor. Look at that picture.
You'd be far better off getting a 25-inch monitor for way less money than an iPad, and using the computer in clamshell mode as a desktop. Get yourself a stylish little stand for it and a Thunderbolt dock with all the ports you need... connected to your computer with a SINGLE WIRE that powers the computer AND transmits the video to the monitor and handles all your network, USB, and SD-card reading needs. You can leave your Apple power brick in another part of the house, wherever you tend to take your laptop to use it as a laptop.
I'd never, ever recommend buying an iPad just to use as an external monitor. It's a device I already have that I found another use for, a reason to always have it in my bag while I'm about and about.
You're totally right that a regular monitor is better, but I simply don't want one clogging up my desk space, as it's not just me that works there and I tend to be on-the-go a lot.
Fair enough, but that pic also shows a keyboard with the iPad. So now you have two keyboards junking up your desk space. I'd argue that the resulting footprint is equal to or greater than a monitor, for far less payoff.
But as far as adding utility to what is essentially a gimped toy... there's no denying that you're achieving this by using it as a monitor!
I get it, but I can pack my iPad away so it fits on a bookshelf. I did test one of those foldable monitors a few years back, but found that wasn't as nice as a screen.
RE: the keyboard, I tested whether I could work on an iPad in lieu of a computer. Spoiler: I could not.
Yeah, I have one of the excellent metal Apple Bluetooth keyboards (with the round back that holds AAs) and used it a couple times with my iPad. It's just such a fussy PITA.
The iPad is great for a few special purposes, and one of those is flying a plane. Getting rid of paper charts and having a big map is a revelation. Also, point-of-sale and maybe inventory control, shop-floor stuff, other industrial applications perhaps...
Also mobile media consumption and maybe even a bit of creative media work, especially audio... but WHOOPS: Apple deleted the headphone jack from the iPad Pro, so forget that. Not only can you NOT enjoy a movie on the plane with your companion now, but you can't do media editing because of Bluetooth latency.
Apple needs a management housecleaning... and this is coming from a shareholder with a lot invested in it. But we could go on and on...
The iPad is an utterly lame external monitor. Look at that picture.
You'd be far better off getting a 25-inch monitor for way less money than an iPad, and using the computer in clamshell mode as a desktop. Get yourself a stylish little stand for it and a Thunderbolt dock with all the ports you need... connected to your computer with a SINGLE WIRE that powers the computer AND transmits the video to the monitor and handles all your network, USB, and SD-card reading needs. You can leave your Apple power brick in another part of the house, wherever you tend to take your laptop to use it as a laptop.
Now THAT is a revelation.
I'd never, ever recommend buying an iPad just to use as an external monitor. It's a device I already have that I found another use for, a reason to always have it in my bag while I'm about and about.
You're totally right that a regular monitor is better, but I simply don't want one clogging up my desk space, as it's not just me that works there and I tend to be on-the-go a lot.
Fair enough, but that pic also shows a keyboard with the iPad. So now you have two keyboards junking up your desk space. I'd argue that the resulting footprint is equal to or greater than a monitor, for far less payoff.
But as far as adding utility to what is essentially a gimped toy... there's no denying that you're achieving this by using it as a monitor!
I get it, but I can pack my iPad away so it fits on a bookshelf. I did test one of those foldable monitors a few years back, but found that wasn't as nice as a screen.
RE: the keyboard, I tested whether I could work on an iPad in lieu of a computer. Spoiler: I could not.
Yeah, I have one of the excellent metal Apple Bluetooth keyboards (with the round back that holds AAs) and used it a couple times with my iPad. It's just such a fussy PITA.
The iPad is great for a few special purposes, and one of those is flying a plane. Getting rid of paper charts and having a big map is a revelation. Also, point-of-sale and maybe inventory control, shop-floor stuff, other industrial applications perhaps...
Also mobile media consumption and maybe even a bit of creative media work, especially audio... but WHOOPS: Apple deleted the headphone jack from the iPad Pro, so forget that. Not only can you NOT enjoy a movie on the plane with your companion now, but you can't do media editing because of Bluetooth latency.
Apple needs a management housecleaning... and this is coming from a shareholder with a lot invested in it. But we could go on and on...