The age-old debate for Apple fans often boils down to: iPad or MacBook? What if you didn't have to choose? In a move that feels like a glimpse into a possible Apple future, popular tech tinkerer and YouTuber Matthew Dickson (known as Matt Makes Everything) has engineered a stunning hybrid device he dubs the "iPadBook." His creation ingeniously transforms the powerful new M4 iPad Pro into a fully functional, high-resolution touchscreen display for a MacBook.
Dickson's project tackles a common user desire head-on: harnessing the raw power and stunning Liquid Retina XDR display of the iPad Pro, but within the familiar, robust framework of macOS and its desktop-class software. While Apple offers Sidecar for using an iPad as a secondary Mac display, the "iPadBook" integrates the iPad Pro as the primary screen, directly attached to a modified MacBook body.
So, How Does the iPadBook Work?
The process wasn't simple. Dickson started with a 13-inch MacBook Pro chassis (non-Apple silicon era). He meticulously removed the original display assembly, including the hinges. The core of the mod lies in mounting the iPad Pro (in this case, the ultra-thin 13-inch model) onto the MacBook's base. This involved:
- Custom Mounting: Designing and 3D-printing a complex bracket system to securely attach the iPad Pro to the MacBook lid's hinge points, ensuring stability.
- Power & Data Routing: Creating a custom solution to route the MacBook's power and USB-C data connections through the modified hinge area up to the iPad Pro. This allows the iPad to be powered by the MacBook and facilitates the video connection.
- MacBook Brain, iPad Screen: The MacBook logic board, trackpad, and keyboard remain fully functional. The iPad Pro essentially acts only as the display and touch input device.
- Software Magic (Luna Display): To stream the MacBook's video output to the iPad Pro's screen with ultra-low latency suitable for a primary display, Dickson utilized the hardware dongle from Luna Display. This provides a significantly better experience than standard wireless solutions like Sidecar, especially for latency-sensitive tasks.
The Big Reveal: See the iPadBook in Action!
The moment of truth comes when the MacBook boots up, and macOS Monterey (running on the Intel MacBook hardware) appears flawlessly on the breathtakingly sharp and bright Liquid Retina XDR display of the M4 iPad Pro. Crucially, touch input works seamlessly on macOS.
Check out Matthew Dickson's incredible build process, the challenges he overcame, and the stunning final result in his detailed YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM7UAbMcg4s
Living with the iPadBook: Pros and Quirks
Dickson highlights several compelling advantages:
- Best-in-Class Display: Utilizing the iPad Pro's mini-LED XDR display for macOS offers incredible brightness, contrast, and color accuracy unmatched by most laptop screens.
- Touchscreen macOS: Directly interacting with macOS windows, buttons, and even creative apps via touch adds a new dimension.
- Thin & Light (Kind Of): The combined device leverages the iPad Pro's thinness, though the overall package is naturally thicker than the iPad alone due to the MacBook base.
- Power Combo: Combines the processing power of the MacBook (albeit older Intel in this prototype) with the display prowess of the iPad Pro.
However, it's not without its quirks:
- Modified Hardware: This is a significant, irreversible modification to both the MacBook and the iPad Pro.
- Battery Life: Powering both devices impacts overall battery runtime.
- Software Hurdles: While Luna Display works well, it's a third-party solution. Native Apple integration would be ideal.
- Cost: Requires sacrificing both a MacBook and an iPad Pro (or at least their chassis/screen).
More Than a Gimmick: A Glimpse of the Future?
While the "iPadBook" is currently an impressive DIY project, it resonates because it fulfills a persistent user fantasy. It demonstrates the technical possibility and user desire for a truly converged Apple device – something blending macOS's power with iPad Pro's form factor and best-in-class touch display.
Matthew Dickson's "iPadBook" isn't just a cool hack; it's a conversation starter. It pushes the boundaries of what's possible with existing Apple hardware and fuels the ongoing discussion about the potential convergence of iPadOS and macOS. Could this inspire Apple's own future designs? Only time will tell. For now, it stands as a remarkable testament to ingenuity and the desire to get the best of both Apple worlds.
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