Apple’s latest large-screen iPad—especially the iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)—has transformed what a tablet can do. With its stunning OLED display, laptop-class power, and powerful multitasking tools, you can run apps side-by-side, drag files between windows, hold video calls while editing documents, and even use it as a desktop workstation.

Whether you’re a content creator, digital student, or business professional, here’s how to unlock multitasking mastery.

1. Use Stage Manager to Create a Desktop-Like Workflow

Stage Manager is the biggest multitasking upgrade on modern iPads.

What Stage Manager Does

Lets you open multiple resizable app windows.

Allows window overlap, similar to macOS.

Keeps recent windows on the left for quick switching.

Works with external monitors for a dual-screen setup.

How to Enable It

1. Open Settings → Home Screen & Multitasking.

2. Tap Stage Manager.

3. Toggle Use Stage Manager.

When enabled, drag windows, resize with corners, or overlap them. For example, draft a blog in Notes while referencing Safari and playing music in Spotify—all visible at once.

Pro Tip:
Pair Stage Manager with Split View inside a workspace to maintain up to 4 active apps without switching contexts.

2. Split View & Slide Over: Fast Context Switching

Split View and Slide Over are classic multitasking tools still worth using.

Split View

Opens two apps side-by-side.

Ideal for reading + writing, note-taking + research.

How to Activate

1. Open an app.

2. Drag another app from the Dock to the left or right edge until it snaps into place.

Slide Over

Opens a floating mini-app.

Best for quick messages, calendars, or calculators.

How to Activate

1. Open Split View.

2. Drag a third app from the Dock to the center of the screen.

Swipe left/right at the screen edge to rotate between Slide Over apps—very handy when juggling communication tools while working.

3. Use the Large Screen for Real Productivity

The new 13-inch display is excellent for:

Digital art + reference mood boards

Dual-panel coding

Spreadsheet editing

Writing while hosting online presentations

Email management

The panel isn’t just bigger—it’s sharper, brighter, and smoother. This lets your eyes work longer with less strain and makes crowded layouts easier to manage.

4. Expand Your Workspace with External Displays

When connected to an external monitor:

Stage Manager treats the monitor as a separate workspace.

You can drag windows between the iPad and the monitor.

App windows scale like a laptop interface.

If you’re editing video or compiling reports, run your main project on the big monitor and keep references or chat apps on the iPad.

5. Keyboard Shortcuts Change Everything

Master keyboard commands to work faster:

Cmd + Tab — App switcher

Cmd + H — Home screen

Cmd + Space — Spotlight search

Cmd + Tab + Q — Close selected app

⌘ + N — New window (in compatible apps)

When typing, you’ll barely touch the screen.

6. File Management & Drag-and-Drop

The Files app is your digital workspace:

Drag photos from Photos → Pages/Keynote

Drag PDFs into Notability

Easily move files via external drive or iCloud

Drag-and-drop supports text, links, images, video, audio files—making it the best hidden productivity feature on iPad.

7. Recommended Accessories for Multitasking

Magic Keyboard (2024)

Laptop-style trackpad + function keys

Elevates productivity—especially for text-heavy work

Apple Pencil Pro (2024)

Pressure + squeeze gesture controls

Ideal for dynamic creative workflows, annotations, and document marking

USB-C Hub

Add monitors, SSD drives, SD cards, keyboards, and microphones

Monitor (120Hz if possible)

Perfect for video editing, coding, and conference setups

8. App Suggestions by Work Style

Productivity

Notion: Project and task dashboards

GoodNotes / Notability: Notes & assignments

Things 3 or Todoist: Task management

Creative Work

Procreate: Illustration

Canva: Social media + graphic design

LumaFusion / DaVinci Resolve: Video editing

Business & Communication

Slack / Microsoft Teams: real-time collaboration

Zoom: Large meetings

Google Workspace / Microsoft 365: office suites

Pricing Overview (as of 2025)

Prices may vary by region and storage size.

iPad Pro (M4) – 13-inch

Starting at ~USD $1,299

Higher storage (512GB–2TB) and cellular add cost.

Magic Keyboard (2024)

Approx. USD $349–$399

Apple Pencil Pro (2024)

Approx. USD $129

iCloud+

200GB: ~$2.99/mo

2TB: ~$9.99/mo

Higher tiers available for family and business use

If you multitask heavily, 512GB or 1TB iPad Pro models are worth it—especially for video and creative workloads.

FAQs: Multitasking on a Large-Screen iPad

Q1: Do I need Stage Manager to multitask?
No. You can still multitask using Split View and Slide Over, but Stage Manager unlocks desktop-style windowing and external monitor support.

Q2: Can I run more than two apps at once?
Yes. With Stage Manager, you can run multiple overlapping app windows. Without it, Split View + Slide Over lets you use three at a time.

Q3: Is the 13-inch iPad better than the 11-inch?
For multitasking—yes. The extra space makes window management, spreadsheets, and writing significantly more comfortable.

Q4: Do I need accessories?
Not required, but Magic Keyboard + Apple Pencil dramatically increase productivity if you write, design, or handle documents.

Q5: What external monitor works best?
Look for a USB-C DisplayPort monitor (ideally 27–32″, 4K). If you edit videos or design graphics, a high-color-accuracy display is ideal.

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Ready to transform how you work?
Choose the latest large-screen iPad Pro, unlock Stage Manager, integrate smart accessories, and elevate multitasking from tablet usage to full mobile computing.

Apple’s latest large-screen iPad—especially the iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)—has transformed what a tablet can do. With its stunning OLED display, laptop-class power, and powerful multitasking tools, you can run apps side-by-side, drag files between windows, hold video calls while editing documents, and even use it as a desktop workstation.

• 1. Use Stage Manager to Create a Desktop-Like Workflow

  Stage Manager is the biggest multitasking upgrade on modern iPads.

  What Stage Manager Does

  • Lets you open multiple resizable app windows.

  • Allows window overlap, similar to macOS.

  • Keeps recent windows on the left for quick switching.

  • Works with external monitors for a dual-screen setup.

  How to Enable It

  1. Open Settings → Home Screen & Multitasking.

  2. Tap Stage Manager.

  3. Toggle Use Stage Manager.

  When enabled, drag windows, resize with corners, or overlap them. For example, draft a blog in Notes while referencing Safari and playing music in Spotify—all visible at once.

  Pro Tip:
  Pair Stage Manager with Split View inside a workspace to maintain up to 4 active apps without switching contexts.

  ---

  2. Split View & Slide Over: Fast Context Switching

  Split View and Slide Over are classic multitasking tools still worth using.

  Split View

  • Opens two apps side-by-side.

  • Ideal for reading + writing, note-taking + research.

  How to Activate

  1. Open an app.

  2. Drag another app from the Dock to the left or right edge until it snaps into place.

  Slide Over

  • Opens a floating mini-app.

  • Best for quick messages, calendars, or calculators.

  How to Activate

  1. Open Split View.

  2. Drag a third app from the Dock to the center of the screen.

  Swipe left/right at the screen edge to rotate between Slide Over apps—very handy when juggling communication tools while working.

  ---

  3. Use the Large Screen for Real Productivity

  The new 13-inch display is excellent for:

  • Digital art + reference mood boards

  • Dual-panel coding

  • Spreadsheet editing

  • Writing while hosting online presentations

  • Email management

  The panel isn’t just bigger—it’s sharper, brighter, and smoother. This lets your eyes work longer with less strain and makes crowded layouts easier to manage.

  ---

  4. Expand Your Workspace with External Displays

  When connected to an external monitor:

  • Stage Manager treats the monitor as a separate workspace.

  • You can drag windows between the iPad and the monitor.

  • App windows scale like a laptop interface.

  If you’re editing video or compiling reports, run your main project on the big monitor and keep references or chat apps on the iPad.

  ---

  5. Keyboard Shortcuts Change Everything

  Master keyboard commands to work faster:

  • Cmd + Tab — App switcher

  • Cmd + H — Home screen

  • Cmd + Space — Spotlight search

  • Cmd + Tab + Q — Close selected app

  • ⌘ + N — New window (in compatible apps)

  When typing, you’ll barely touch the screen.

  ---

  6. File Management & Drag-and-Drop

  The Files app is your digital workspace:

  • Drag photos from Photos → Pages/Keynote

  • Drag PDFs into Notability

  • Easily move files via external drive or iCloud

  Drag-and-drop supports text, links, images, video, audio files—making it the best hidden productivity feature on iPad.

  ---

  7. Recommended Accessories

Whether you’re a student, creative, or professional, your iPad can be your work hub.
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