### Why Open One App at a Time When You Can Confuse Yourself With Five?
Remember the good old days when your iPad was just a big iPhone? Well, Apple has decided that wasn’t complicated enough. Enter **Stage Manager**, the multitasking feature that promises to revolutionize your iPad experience—or at least make you question your life choices.
If you haven’t read the original Verge article, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. But first, let’s address the elephant in the room: why does Apple keep trying to turn the iPad into a laptop? Spoiler alert—it’s not for your convenience.
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### What Is Stage Manager, and Why Should You Care?
**Stage Manager** is Apple’s latest attempt to make multitasking on the iPad less like juggling flaming swords and more like…juggling flaming swords while blindfolded. It allows users to have overlapping, resizable windows, a feature that sounds groundbreaking until you realize laptops have been doing this since the 1980s.
According to Apple, Stage Manager is designed to give you a “desktop-like” experience on your iPad. But here’s the kicker: it’s only available on iPads with the M1 chip or newer. So, if you’re rocking an older iPad, tough luck. Maybe Apple thinks you’re not smart enough to handle multiple apps at once.
#### Key Features of Stage Manager:
– Overlapping, resizable windows: Because who doesn’t love a chaotic screen?
– Dock integration: Now you can access your favorite apps faster…if you can find them.
– External display support: Finally, you can connect your iPad to a monitor and pretend it’s a MacBook.
While these features sound impressive on paper, using them is a different story. Spoiler: it’s not as intuitive as Apple wants you to believe.
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### The Catch: Only for the Elite Few
Here’s the thing: not all iPads are created equal. Stage Manager is exclusive to iPads with the **M1 chip** or newer. Why? Because Apple says so. Apparently, the A-series chips that powered older iPads aren’t up to the task of running multiple windows. Sure, they can handle high-end games and video editing, but opening two apps at once? Too much to ask.
This move has left many users scratching their heads—and their wallets. If you’re still clinging to your perfectly functional older iPad, you’re out of luck. Want multitasking? Time to upgrade. Or, you know, just use a laptop like a normal person.
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### Pros & Cons of Stage Manager
#### Pros:
– **Multitasking**: Finally, you can pretend to be productive while binge-watching Netflix.
– **External Display Support**: Turn your iPad into a pseudo-laptop—because why not?
– **Resizing Windows**: Great for people who enjoy squinting at tiny text.
#### Cons:
– **Limited Compatibility**: Only works on M1 or newer iPads. Thanks, Apple.
– **Steep Learning Curve**: Good luck figuring it out without a manual.
– **Buggy Performance**: Expect crashes, glitches, and the occasional existential crisis.
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### Is This the Future of iPads?
Apple wants you to believe that the iPad is the future of computing. But let’s be real: if you need a keyboard, mouse, and external monitor to do basic tasks, is it still a tablet? Or is it just a really expensive, underpowered laptop?
Don’t get me wrong, the iPad is great for certain things—drawing, note-taking, and showing off at coffee shops. But as a laptop replacement? Not so much. Even with Stage Manager, the iPadOS still feels like a glorified phone operating system. Multitasking is clunky, and the reliance on touch-based navigation can be frustrating.
If you’re looking for a seamless multitasking experience, you might be better off with a MacBook—or even a Windows laptop. Yes, I said it. Windows.
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### Final Thoughts: Who Is Stage Manager Really For?
Let’s face it: Stage Manager isn’t for the average iPad user. It’s for tech enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering with settings and showing off new features. If you’re someone who just wants to watch Netflix while browsing Instagram, you can safely ignore it.
But if you’re intrigued by the idea of turning your iPad into a productivity powerhouse, Stage Manager might be worth a shot—assuming you have the latest hardware. Just be prepared for a steep learning curve and the occasional crash.
For a deeper dive into Apple’s strategy, check out our article on iPad Pro vs. MacBook: Which One Should You Buy?
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### Call to Action
What do you think about Stage Manager? Is it a game-changer or just another gimmick? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more sarcastic takes on the latest tech trends. If you found this article helpful—or at least mildly amusing—share it with your friends. Because misery loves company.
