I've been dreaming of a new kind of MacBook for years. This is his 2-in-1 device, similar to Microsoft's Surface Pro, but with significant differences. Laptop mode lets you run the latest macOS version with all your favorite features for the full MacBook experience. But with Tablet Mode, you can detach the screen from the keyboard and get the iPad experience by running iPadOS on your tablet instead of macOS.
We are already bringing such devices into the world. That's Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid. The device, announced at CES, gives users two computers in one: a Windows laptop and an Android tablet.
I don't know if Apple will make something like this. But I hope that's what his foldable iPad/MacBook device has to offer. Until then, there's a way to build the perfect MacBook-iPad computer yourself. It's called a MacPad. At least, that's what Federico Viticci named his new gadget.
Viticci has a great guide mac story This will allow you to clone the device yourself.
He created the MacPad by chance after looking for a better mouse and keyboard experience for the Vision Pro. He found that the MacBook Air's trackpad and keyboard were perfect for the job. One thing led to another, and he came up with his MacBook iPad device, which Apple wasn't ready to manufacture yet.
Viticci removed the display from his M2 MacBook Air and used magnets to dock his 11-inch iPad Pro to the laptop's keyboard base. He then utilized continuity features like Sidecar and Universal Controls to turn the iPad's screen into his MacBook's main display. Viticci said he chose the 11-inch iPad Pro over his 12.9-inch model because it is lighter.
When docked, the iPad behaves more or less like a traditional MacBook. However, it does have touch interaction support, including a variety of gestures. The S Pen also works on the screen.
When you remove it from the keyboard, your iPad Pro becomes an iPad again.
The best part about all of this is that you can use both operating systems at the same time. Whether your iPad Pro is docked or not, you can use both macOS and iPadOS side-by-side while Sidecar is enabled. It's actually the Apple experience I've been dreaming of.
I don't want to integrate macOS and iPadOS. Each of us has strengths, so I want to take advantage of them.
No matter how much Apple wants it to, the iPad can't replace the MacBook in terms of productivity. But the MacBook isn't as convenient for other experiences. It's like consuming content or interacting with content. This requires a touchscreen, not a keyboard or trackpad.
Viticci's guide is incredibly detailed and explains some of the unique features of building a MacPad. For example, every time his MacBook starts up he has to unlock it using a VNC service. It doesn't have its own display. If you have an existing display nearby, you can connect to it.
Also, Sidecar must be launched from an iPad, not a Mac. Additionally, the iPad and MacBook must be connected to the same Wi-Fi connection, which can be an issue when traveling.
But everything works. Apple's existing Continuity feature that integrates iPad and Mac makes that possible. The similarities between macOS and iPadOS/iOS also make for a seamless transition between the two operating systems.
Unfortunately, the MacPad is completely impractical and looks pretty silly. If Apple were to make a MacPad, it would obviously be a better design. I'd love to have a device like this, but I don't think I'm ready to duplicate Viticci's MacPad. But I will say that I've been thinking about Sidecar a lot lately as I've been pondering the idea of ​​buying a new iPad.
Viticci's guide should help you get the most out of it. If you're thinking about doing the same, check out our image- and video-filled guide to MacPad at this link.