While many folks like to have miles of screen real estate with multiple external monitors, some enjoy simply having their iPad’s screen in tandem with their main screen, especially for use with Sidecar or Universal Control.
Today’s clean and well-lighted MacBook Pro setup mounts an iPad with the main monitor in a neat way while hiding away the laptop.
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Mount iPad for use with Sidecar or Universal Control right on monitor stand
Redditor casualhostile320 (“CH”) showcased the spare setup in a post entitled, “MacBook Pro Minimalist Setup.” It’s so minimalist, in fact, you can’t even see the computer. The laptop is mounted under his desk in clamshell (closed) mode.
Up on the desk, a 27-inch LG 4K monitor sits on a desk mount that also appears to support a small arm designed to hold a tablet like his iPad. That puts it in good position for use as a screen mirror or extension.
Sidecar and Universal Control
More specifically, it’s a good spot for those who like using Sidecar (extends or mirrors main display on iPad) and/or Universal Control (use a single mouse and keyboard across iPad and Mac).
“Both the stand and the iPad holder are the cheapest minors [sic] stand [I] could find on Amazon,” he told a curious commenter. Several commenters admired the rig. But he divulged few specifics in his answers to questions until we asked for his Amazon purchase history — which turned out to be all from Amazon France.
While CH seemed to say it was either a monitor stand that came with a tablet attachment, it might be a monitor stand with a separate attachment. And he clarified his items are a Grifima monitor arm and a Tendak tablet support arm. You can find substitutes in the gear list below.
“If I’m not mistaken, a lot of LG monitors now come with that type of stand,” another commenter chimed in. “I have the LG DualUp (sick monitor btw) for example, and it came with one just like this.”
We didn’t see an LG stand, like those in its Ergo lineup, with a tablet extension, but we only spent minutes looking.
However, we found an Ergo mounted monitor, below in the gear list, or you could choose an inexpensive single-monitor mount like those from Wali (also below). We also included a separate gooseneck tablet mount with a clamp. Theoretically, you could clamp the flexible iPad stand to the monitor stand, or to the desk.
Quntis monitor lamp
Other commenters expressed curiosity about the Quntis Computer Monitor Lamp mounted on top the display. It’s pretty standard. It lights up the desktop and cuts eye strain without interfering with what you see on the screen.
But one person wondered if the monitor provided the backlighting, which gives atmosphere to the minimal setup and the wall behind it.
“Not the light bar, just some LEDs,” CH replied.
Shop these items now:
Computers:
Display, mounts and light:
- 27-inch LG UltraFine 4K monitor
- Single monitor mount/arm
- Tablet holder with clip
- Quntis Computer Monitor Lamp
Input devices:
Audio and lighting:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to info+setups@cultofmac.com. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.
Tablet stand with a flexible arm and clip. The tablet mount is compatible with iPad mini, iPad Pro, iPad Air, Switch, Galaxy Tabs and more. Fits 4.7in - 10.5in devices. In gray.
