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I've wanted to do an overview iPad guide for a long time.
From beginner's concepts, tips & tricks, apps, and setups to accessories, I will cover some
essentials that can help you get the most out of your iPad.
Most of what we'll talk about today applies to modern-day iPads that support external
displays and pencil support.
Still, owners of older & less expensive models can benefit from most of what we'll discuss.
Let's first lay the foundation.
First and foremost, the iPad is not a computer.
As soon as you accept this reality, you'll see the iPad as a more focused or less distracting
yet VERY capable device.
The software limitations that most people are complaining about are, for the most part,
an ingredient in the iPad recipe, making it a more purposeful instrument.
At a glance, you open an app, maybe two, and stay focused on the task at hand.
But there's a lot more to it, and many people don't realize that.
Let's start with iCloud and Files.
If you have an iPad, consider integrating it into a cloud service and start using it
as an aid to your primary computer - not just another streaming-at-home device.
The idea is to quickly access Mac files on the iPad.
Whenever you need to do something work-related, you grab the iPad, knowing you can access
what's necessary.
I am a big iCloud fan, and I keep all my work and personal-related files in the cloud, knowing
I can easily reach them on my iPad.
Even if it's not iCloud, you can integrate another service into the Files app, like Google
Drive.
While on the topic of files, I keep my iPad Files app resembling Mac Finder's app.
All my files are in list view (because it's 10x more productive than icons), plus I keep
all my most accessed folders as favorites in the sidebar for quick reference, replicating
my Mac's Finder view.
If you want to learn how I use iCloud to run my life, you can check out my dedicated iCloud
episode at the end of this video.
Aside from organizing files, I use the Files app for scanning documents.
This is a big deal for my day-to-day accounting and expense processes, and the built-in scanner
is a must-have.
Here are a couple of quick tips to easily manage and grab files.
Use two fingers to initiate multi-select and remember the More menu when you select files.
Aside from copy/paste, you also have the archive button, allowing you to create zip files to
send around in emails, for example.
BTW, if you end up enjoying this video, subscribe, because WHY NOT?
Let's talk about the home screen setup.
My philosophy here is that your home screen should be a single screen.
I don't see reasons to use multiple home screens with endless folders that hold apps just as
readily available in the app drawer.
The purpose of the home screen should be to help you navigate around the most popular
apps as well as trigger and toggle actions as efficiently as possible.
The home screen setup should be intuitive and not a place to get lost into.
I'll put a link to my iPad home screen video guide below and above and only skim through
some examples here.
On my single homepage, I keep all widgets on the left, while my most used apps take
the right 2/3rds of the screen.
The principle is that all multitasking apps, including those I use almost all the time,
live in the dock.
The rest remain on the Home Screen beside the widgets and are mixed with quick-action
shortcuts.
Regarding apps, I can't tell you which are best since each person's workflow varies,
but I can show you a glimpse of my must-haves and why you might want to try them.
Starting off with Notion.
At its core, Notion is a note-taking app.
You can create all sorts of pages, folders, and nests and take it up from there to learn
to use tables and databases.
I started using Notion to run my business.
Still, as time passes, I rarely find a reason to use another note-taking app for my personal
stuff, so I come back to Notion for that too.
It's an app that can be used with team members and expanded a ton, so feel free to check
it out.
I have a video about it, BTW, so I'll also link it below.
Another app I use all the time is Procreate.
If you have an Apple Pencil, it's worth exploring some basic tutorials.
There's something magical about its ability to bring out the artist in every person.
I also use it with my kids as it encourages them to draw.
Most of my wallpapers are drawn in Procreate, and I love this app.
A recent app that became important to me is Apple's Freeform.
This is now a built-in iPadOS app that you can use to gather mood boards and inspiration
for all sorts of projects.
I collect screenshots and images that inspire me to build widgets and wallpapers, but you
can use Freeform for pretty much anything - recipes, social media posts, etc.
Lightroom is my go-to photo editing app.
Most of the photos I post on the internet go through Lightroom first.
I use it not only to apply my presets but also to do lens corrections and adjust perspectives
to make everything look its best.
Microsoft to-do is my current to-do app because it's effortless and quick to insert tasks
into.
It works across all my devices, and it's not limited to Apple products, plus it's free.
OK… let's talk accessories.
To get the most out of your iPad, you have to try the Benks Infinity Pro Magnetic Stand.
It's not only ideal for a desk setup scenario but also great for drawing and get this - meetings.
The 360-degree, extremely satisfying, rotatable base turns the iPad into the ultimate workstation.
The iPad snaps into place effortlessly, ready to be used in a horizontal and vertical orientation.
The elaborate foldable mechanism makes the stand extremely portable to store and allows
for a third drawing mode.
I like the soft, padded back that protects the iPad while also keeping it firmly in place,
thanks to the strong magnets.
The design of this stand is very clever!
You have the same radius of the corners as the iPad for that fabulous aesthetic look
while leaving the camera array available to be used in a meeting.
It's the ideal way to showcase something to someone.
Check out Benks Infinity Pro Magnetic Stand in the first link in the description below
& use code ThisIsE15 for 15% off sitewide.
The next accessory I'd like to discuss is Paperlike.
Aside from being an excellent screen protector for the iPad, Paperlike is also a great companion
to the Apple pencil.
The unique textured coating provides friction to the tip of the pencil, simulating the feel
of writing on paper and eliminating the weird feeling of scratching the glass.
v2.1 is terrific as it introduces very little loss of quality to the screen while eliminating
the nasty fingerprints.
Even if you don't use the Apple Pencil, the scratch protection and fingerprint reduction
are worth this accessory.
Having an iPad Air or Pro without giving the Apple Pencil a try is a crime.
Even if you are not artistically inclined, jotting down notes is worth integrating into
your workflow.
There are plenty of apps that come with built-in handwriting recognition.
With that in mind, if you are a note-taking person and don't care about the pressure-sensitive
tip of the $130 Apple Pencil, this Benks pen, at less than half the price, is worth exploring.
This is the best 3-rd party pen I've tried for the iPad.
It connects automatically and comes with a wireless charger to take advantage of the
inductive iPad charging, just like the Apple Pencil.
Finally, a keyboard.
Even though you can use plenty of wireless keyboards with the iPad, the best keyboard
is the one that is available to you.
With that in mind, I have 2 keyboards that I'Id recommend, and both are by Apple.
The Folio keyboard is the lighter version of the two, which can swivel back, allowing
the iPad to be used as a book.
It doesn't have a trackpad, but it's more resilient to dust and some wate r drops.
The other one is the Magic Keyboard which weighs more than the tablet itself, floats,
and provides the best typing and trackpad experience by far.
Your choice here relies on the question - do you need a trackpad and two, do you need a
keyboard at all?
So to use the iPad in a desk setup, aside from the stand we discussed, there's one more
thing to consider - the monitor.
In most cases, if the monitor comes with a USB-C power delivery port, you are good to
go.
You can simply connect it to the iPad and it will stay topped up while working on it.
If your monitor doesn't have such a connection and relies on HDMI, for example, you can consider
a USB-C hub like this one from UGREEN.
I carry this one at all times since it also provides an SD card slot for the iPad.
With it, you can run 4K at 60hz if the display supports it.
Second, to run the iPad with extended monitor support, you must use iPadOS 16.2 or later.
This will give you the ability to use the monitor as a secondary display with Stage
Manager without having to mirror the display and witness black bars on both sides.
Keep in mind that the tablet can never work in clamshell mode.
If you close it with the Magic Keyboard, you won't be able to wake it up to work on the
monitor only…so you are in a dual monitor setup, like it or not.
You can check out my iPad-in-a-desk-setup guide in the description below if you want
to know the caveats of running an iPad setup.
Personally, I don't find the iPad ready for prime time when it comes to using it exclusively
in a desk setup.
Still, I do see it as a superstar in a sidekick setup, where you use it as your best Mac companion.
With the help of Universal Control and Sidecar, you can use one set of peripherals to jump
between your Mac and iPad effortlessly.
You can use Sidecar to utilize the iPad as a secondary Mac monitor (essentially extending
it) or use Universal Control to jump between the Mac and iPadOS effortlessly.
Of course, universal copy-paste and AirDrop are here to take full advantage of.
When it comes to gaming, the iPad is tough to beat if we talk about performance capabilities
and visual experience.
Suppose you have a Pro model with ProMotion and 120Hz.
In that case, you can run fantastic titles and enjoy visuals better than some portable
consoles out there.
Playing games on the iPad with touch controls is challenging, so a controller is something
to think about.
The iPad works with all the controllers out there, like Playstation and Xbox, but if you
want something smaller, you can check out something like the 8bitdo controller, which
is a great compact alternative.
My new favorite controller as of recently is the Nintendo Switch Joycons.
As I carry the Nintendo Switch, I can always rely on popping out a JoyCon or two and moving
to ShadowBlade+ on the iPad.
Check out my step-by-step guide on how I set up a new iPad, and remember to watch my iPad
in a desk setup video to find out why I think the iPad is not Desk Setup worthy yet.
Give this video a like and subscribe to the channel, as well as my newsletter, and as
always, it's been an absolute pleasure, This is E Over and out
This is E Over and out