iPad IPadOS 17 Clam Shell Mode

[xaqt93]

So, I have finally started using an external display for my iPad Pro M1 with Stage Manager. It has been a game changer and I love everything about this feature except for one little thing…On my Mac, when I had it, I could use it in “Clamshell” mode. Meaning I could keep the MacBook closed and it would still use the external monitor as the main monitor. I really wish that Apple would do this in iPadOS 17. What do you all think? Would this be something that you would use?

 

[Johnny365]

So you mean with a keyboard accessory attached, and it folded up? Or do you mean with display completely off, yet still outputting the video?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I don’t see the point of it. iPad is a touch device with a fantastic display. Why are you paying for those features, when you could just get a $599 Mac mini?

 

[NastyMatt]

I would love clamshell mode, I have my PC set up that everything is plugged in my screen (keyboard, mouse, headphones etc) and I can just plug my MBA into the same cable and work in clamshell mode. Doing the same for the IPP would be ideal.

With limited desktop space this is needed.

 

[darngooddesign]

I don’t see the point of it. iPad is a touch device with a fantastic display. Why are you paying for those features, when you could just get a $599 Mac mini?

Plugging it into an external screen (or using a Magic Keyboard) doesn't mean it isn't a great touch device when not plugged in to a screen.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I would love a clamshell mode - would make those times I use an iPad connected to an external display a bit more longer lasting (battery wise). Seems such a waste to have the display on my iPad when I have a mouse/keyboard and external monitor. Also in a dark environment it's very distracting to have a second display needlessly.

 

[darngooddesign]

I would love a clamshell mode - would make those times I use an iPad connected to an external display a bit more longer lasting (battery wise). Seems such a waste to have the display on my iPad when I have a mouse/keyboard and external monitor. Also in a dark environment it's very distracting to have a second display needlessly.

Why isn't your iPad charging when connected to a display?

 

[BigMcGuire]

Why isn't your iPad charging when connected to a display?

I haven't sprung the $ for an adapter that has power AND video out. I just have a USB C to HDMI. I use it so infrequently that I can't really justify the cost, for now. While the iPad lasts a long time, it would last a lot longer if it wasn't powering the iPad screen and the external monitor at the same time for my case.

 

[darngooddesign]

I haven't sprung the $ for an adapter that has power AND video out. I just have a USB C to HDMI. I use it so infrequently that I can't really justify the cost, for now. While the iPad lasts a long time, it would last a lot longer if it wasn't powering the iPad screen and the external monitor at the same time for my case.

I thought displays would charge the iPad via TB/USB-C

 

[BigMcGuire]

I thought displays would charge the iPad via TB/USB-C

Ah not the university old dell monitors / business projectors (HDMI only) I'm using (I'm even outputting to VGA on some). Yeah Modern high end USB C displays will do that.

USB C to HDMI, USB C to VGA (adapters that I use).

 

[darngooddesign]

Ah not the university old dell monitors / business projectors (HDMI only) I'm using (I'm even outputting to VGA on some). Yeah Modern high end USB C displays will do that.

Have you considered a hand-crank?

You're probably going to have to get an adapter, I think there are some inexpensive 3rd party ones which do HDMI and USBC charging.

 

[erikkfi]

The answer is yes. This is one of many things that needs to be worked out as part of the agonizingly long transition from iOS to an iPadOS that works for more enterprise situations. When Apple started offering more robust video out and incredibly powerful desktop chips in their iPads, the software should've kept pace with support for more use cases but that hasn't happened yet.

 

[xaqt93]

I don’t see the point of it. iPad is a touch device with a fantastic display. Why are you paying for those features, when you could just get a $599 Mac mini?

The reason I don’t want a Mac Mini is because I take my iPad everywhere. I am a pilot so I use my iPad for flight planning and for my Electronic Flight Bag when I am in flight. When I am home, it is plugged in to the external monitor and I use it like a computer. When I am out and about, I use the touch screen and all the touch features. I did not see the reason for a MacBook either because it would just sit there because once again, I default back to the iPad for just about everything in the world. I have a 2TB iPad Pro, and it does everything I need it to do and more. I am as much of a power user on an iPad as I can get. Haha.

 

[Pierre535]

The reason I don’t want a Mac Mini is because I take my iPad everywhere. I am a pilot so I use my iPad for flight planning and for my Electronic Flight Bag when I am in flight. When I am home, it is plugged in to the external monitor and I use it like a computer. When I am out and about, I use the touch screen and all the touch features. I did not see the reason for a MacBook either because it would just sit there because once again, I default back to the iPad for just about everything in the world. I have a 2TB iPad Pro, and it does everything I need it to do and more. I am as much of a power user on an iPad as I can get. Haha.

Just hang in there. Pretty soon Apple will Airplane Play.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Yeah, I said in another thread that Stage Manager is about making working with documents front and center of the iPad moving forward. This is the obvious next step.

In the next few years (or even this year) you're going to be using the external display to work with your Xcode Swift files and having everything render live on the iPad. You can be testing that with other people via Testflight with the iPhones and not have to have a Mac in the picture.

 

[Isamilis]

Why isn't your iPad charging when connected to a display?

It depends on the monitor. Mine (Dell) is charging in the same time.