Upgraded my Laptop

[Robert Watcher]

It was time to update my MacBook for working on the road.

My iPad isn’t a substitute for all of the coding I do using VSC, MMAMP and Transmit - as well as for running my primary photo editing software, ON1 PhotoRaw. As well I cannot use my Arturia USB-C Audio Interface without having power connected to it.

The update is from my 13 year old 2012 MacBook Air that no longer holds a charge and doesn’t run my modern software applications —- to a relatively newly released in mid-March of 2025, 13” MacBook Air with M4 chip - which I upgraded to a 512GB SSD drive to go along with the base 16GB of Ram.

I always prefer to store my working data on an external drive and found the Crucial X9 Pro 2 TB SSD to be relatively inexpensive, fast enough, and very small and well built.

I find that ON1 Photo Raw is far snappier on the M4 than it is with my desktop M1 MacMini from 2020. I am also enjoying the updates to MacOS that makes wireless Screen Sharing to my iPad or even the 27” display connected to my MacMini - effortless. For the pic here, I extended the screen to my iPad running Affinity Photo 2, and dragged all of the essential editing panels, into my iPad leaving the full size of the laptop for viewing the image.

Besides the external ssd, I added an inexpensive compact dongle that gives me the ability to have a couple of USB-A ports, and HDMI connection as well as an SD card reader.

 

[Robert Watcher]

 

[Asher Kelman]

Neat! I didn’t realize one could use an iPad as a screen extension! Is that by bluetooth or local Internet?

Asher

 

[Robert Watcher]

Neat! I didn’t realize one could use an iPad as a screen extension! Is that by bluetooth or local Internet?

Asher

Great question Asher. This is what I was able to come up with. When you’re using your iPad as a wireless second display with macOS Sequoia and later, the connection isn’t just Bluetooth — it’s a combination of technologies working together:

Wireless Display Connection: What’s Under the Hood

• Wi-Fi: This is the primary channel for transmitting the actual display data between your Mac and iPad. It allows for high-bandwidth, low-latency screen sharing.
• Bluetooth: Used for device discovery and initial handshake — your Mac detects the iPad nearby and initiates the connection.
• Handoff / Continuity Framework: Apple’s ecosystem magic that ties it all together, ensuring smooth transitions and secure pairing between devices signed into the same Apple ID.

So while Bluetooth plays a role, the heavy lifting is done over Wi-Fi, which is why both devices need to be on the same network and relatively close to each other.

It was also cool to have my MacBook sitting close to my MacMini workstation and have it discover the large display attached to the desktop machine and by selecting that display, being able to extend the MacBook onto it as well, wirelessly.

I also have a portable 16” monitor that I can take with me when travelling, for a larger display than the iPad. It requires a USB-C cable plugged into one of the MacBook ports, to turn on and use. I plan on using this dual screen setup in a few weeks with my Audio recording DAW Reaper that I installed on the new MacBook —— to display the multiple recorded tracks on one device and the mixer channels and plugins on the other. My Arturia Audio Interface is USB-C connected and powered by the MacBook, so this will be great for indoor or outdoor use without having to connect to power.

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Rob,

Thanks so much for the excellent (and excellently-illustrated) essays. It looks like a very worthwhile project.

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi, Rob,

Thanks so much for the excellent (and excellently-illustrated) essays. It looks like a very worthwhile project.

Best regards,

Doug

seconded!

Rob, your generosity in sharing hard won technical details is well documented and greatly appreciated here!

I intend to leverage your experience for my own work. What portable monitor did you choose? It doesn’t need to be RGB quality!

Asher

 

[Robert Watcher]

seconded!

Rob, your generosity in sharing hard won technical details is well documented and greatly appreciated here!

I intend to leverage your experience for my own work. What portable monitor did you choose? It doesn’t need to be RGB quality!

Asher

This is the current model of the one I purchased back in 2022. Although I paid $250 CAD for it back then. Currently it is $80 CAD with the instant coupon.

This is the USA link I presume. Under $60 USD currently —— https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Monitor-InnoView-Adjustable-Speaker/dp/B09K3FWMPL/

Crucial 2TB SSD
13” MacBook Air M4
15.6” 1080P Innoview Portable Monitor