Features to work with a MacBook and an iPad together

cool features

The first thing we want to start talking about is the functions that exist within the Apple ecosystem that favor the combo of bringing the Mac and the iPad together to work. As you know, there is no company that promotes the value of an ecosystem formed by its devices as much as Apple, but in the productivity section, if the iPad and the Mac separately give the user a tremendous number of facilities to develop all their ideas, when they come together they multiply all those possibilities.

Use your iPad as a second screen

The first star feature that we want to talk to you about and that the two devices share is Sidecar . With this, what you will achieve is to turn your iPad into the second screen that you need to have next to your Mac. This is really useful since in the moments in which you need to have that 2nd monitor to work, your iPad can be the ideal element for solve all your needs.

But beware, this does not end here, since the iPad is not going to be a simple screen where you can see what you place on it, but Apple has also made it possible for you to interact by touch . The element that you can use for this in this case is the Apple Pencil, so in a way, what you will also achieve is having macOS inside your iPad and being able to carry out certain actions as if it were an operating system designed to be used automatically. tactile.

Obviously, depending on the iPad model you have, you will be able to take more or less advantage of the size of the device itself, but even so, if you work on the move and always carry both devices in your backpack, know that this possibility is available to you at any time and place, it is a joy and it will surely help you to work much better.

Control Mac and iPad at the same time

A function very similar to Sidecar is Universal Control , and as you have seen in the title of this section, what you can do with it is control your iPad and Mac at the same time with the same peripherals , that is, with the same keyboard and mouse. We say that it is similar to Sidecar because again it allows you to work with both computers at the same time, however, with Universal Control the Mac works within macOS and the iPad within iPadOS.

Universal Control was presented at WWDC 2021, and without a doubt it was one of the most celebrated features by users, since the way of working using it seemed like real magic. After all, to give you an example, if you have an external mouse and keyboard connected to your Mac, just by placing the iPad next to it, you will be able to use this keyboard and that mouse as if they were also connected to the iPad. . But beware, if you have your Mac next to the iPad and you are working with it and the Magic Keyboard, for example, you can also control your Apple computer with the keyboard and trackpad that you are using on your iPad.

In addition, this is not only in the possibility of controlling the two computers with the same peripherals, but Apple has also implemented the possibility of being able to exchange files between both with the simple fact of dragging from one side to the other, as if the iPad, with iPadOS, it was just another Mac screen and vice versa, which is to say, sheer madness.

This function increases the possibilities of both devices even more, because you will really be able to get the best of each of them and combine them according to your needs, in order to create your own workflows and make the most of all the benefits that the device has. ecosystem made up of Apple devices.

air drop

Another characteristic function of the entire Apple ecosystem is AirDrop, and this one has been within the ecosystem for a long time , so fortunately all users will be able to use it, regardless of the model of Mac and iPad they have, since both Sidecar as Universal Control is only compatible with a number of models. For all those who do not know what AirDrop is, we can define it as the way that Apple has implemented to be able to transfer files between its devices easily and quickly.

It is one of the most used ways by all Apple users to transmit photos, videos, documents or any other type of file, either between their different devices or also to other users who also have a computer that has the apple logo . In addition, not only is it really comfortable and easy to use, but it is also extremely fast to transfer files that have a more or less reasonable weight.

Obviously, if what you want to send is a file that weighs many gigabytes, AirDrop is not powerful enough , at the moment, to allow you to send it in a few seconds. But without a doubt, to send photographs, text documents and the vast majority of files with which you work on a regular basis, it is one of the best ways you can choose.

the best accessories

As you may have foreseen, to get the most out of some of the functions that we have just talked about, you will need to have some accessories that, without a doubt, will be able to improve the experience you have when using both Sidecar and Universal. Control.

Keyboards

One of the most essential elements that you have to have when working with your iPad and Mac, if you have the latter closed and connected to a monitor, is a good keyboard, either for the Mac itself or for the iPad, since After all, with the Universal Control function, just connect it to one of them and you can also use it in the other.

Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID

Without a doubt, if your main computer is going to be the Mac, this keyboard is one of the best options that you can opt for if what you want is to have a good experience while you write anything on your computer. The design maintains the entire line that Apple has accustomed us to, with a silver finish that will surely combine great with your Apple computer.

In addition, one of the advantages of this device is that it has built-in Touch ID , so that all users who have a Mac with Apple’s own processor will be able to unlock the computer without having to enter any code, since it all they have to do is put their finger on the fingerprint sensor and the Mac will unlock.

Logitech MX Keys Advanced

Whether your main computer is going to be the Mac or the iPad, this keyboard is one of the best you can find on the market for everything it allows you to do. Without hesitation we can be facing the most complete , since it has the possibility of customizing the function carried out by some of the keys that it incorporates.

In addition, if you want to use it individually on several devices, with just the press of a key you can go from using it on your Mac to using it on the iPad, that is, as long as you do not want to enjoy some of the functions that we have previously mentioned. such as Sidecar or Universal Control.

Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad

When it comes to getting the most out of the iPad, surely there is no option on the market that adds as many positive points as the keyboard offered by the Cupertino company itself. As soon as you see it, it is already striking for having a risky design , but also elegant, which is not only beautiful, but also offers the comfort to all users of being able to adjust the degree of inclination of the iPad depending on the needs.

The writing mechanism is practically the same as the one we told you about with the Magic Keyboard for Mac, so the writing experience will be very satisfactory. Obviously, one of the most positive and remarkable points of this keyboard is the trackpad it has, which will allow you to manage your iPad and your Mac like a charm through the Universal Control function.

Mice

Again, if you want to work with your MacBook closed and connected to a monitor, or you just don’t find it comfortable to use the Mac’s own trackpad, you need to use a mouse that provides all the functions and actions you need to use and, Of course, it helps you take advantage of all the synergies that come from working with iPad and Mac together.

Logitech MX Master 3 Advanced

When focusing on a mouse to help you be more productive, there is no such complete option on the market as the one offered by Logitech with its MX Master 3 Advanced. What we told you before about its keyboard can also be extrapolated perfectly to this mouse, since the range of possibilities it has is enormous.

Obviously it is fully usable on both Mac and iPad, individually or through the functions that we have discussed in this post. However, on Mac you get much more out of it, since by using its application, you can customize the function of the buttons on its surface for each of the applications you use on a daily basis.

Apple Magic Mouse

We have commented that the Logitech MX Master 3 is designed for all those who want to take their productivity to the next level, well, this Apple mouse is surely the best alternative to the rest of the people who really do not need to have configurable buttons to better use their Apple computer.

The design of this mouse is fantastic, simple and minimalist , once again continuing with the line that the Cupertino company always marks. But the best of all is not that, but how comfortable it is to use thanks to the whole range of gestures that it allows you to carry out to be able to navigate on your Mac or iPad.

supports

To work with the Mac and iPad together, especially if you have a fixed place like a desk in your room or workplace, you probably want to have your iPad well secured and on a stand that helps you move it easily to adapt to different situations. different situations in which you will need to use it.

BongBingBoo iPad Stand

One of the best supports you can find for your iPad is this, we can also say it without any doubt because all you have to do is place your iPad on its magnets and it will be fully adhered , without the danger of it falling. Of course, it is the most comfortable way to use the iPad.

The fact that the device remains magnetized not only favors its security, but also how you are going to be able to place it on your desk, since another of the most outstanding characteristics of this support is that you can place it both horizontally and vertically. vertically .

Lamicall Multi-angle Tablet Stand

We end this post with the typical support that you can find and that will serve you both for your iPad and if you want to place your iPhone or any other device on top of it. It really is not a product that has been designed exclusively for the Apple tablet, but it is certainly one of the ones that makes the most of all the benefits it can provide.

It is available in different colors , so you can choose the one you like best or that best matches your entire work ecosystem. It also has a hole in its structure that will allow you to pass the cable in case you also want to charge the iPad while placing it on top of the support.