Modder builds iPadBook blending iPadOS with macOS

An iPad Pro docks to a screenless MacBook Air to become its display.

Modder builds iPadBook blending iPadOS with macOS

Shu Chan, a Chinese modder, removed the display from an M1 MacBook Air and built a magnetic hinge called MagBaka to attach an iPad Pro as the new screen. The design uses 12 magnets and a custom 3D printed case so the iPad Pro serves as the main monitor with touch input and Apple Pencil support.

When the iPad Pro is attached, the MacBook Air runs as a single system with two operating system ecosystems in one machine. When detached, the device becomes a standalone iPad Pro. The project is not an official Apple product. It is a proof of concept that shows a desire for cross platform work flows and it raises practical questions about reliability, support, and how well software and hardware fit together.

Two OS worlds in one chassis challenge the pace of official product design. Apple keeps iPadOS and macOS separate, which leaves room for bold experiments by creative users. This mod highlights a broader maker culture that pushes boundaries when companies stay still.

Yet the concept is not ready for mass use. It relies on nonstandard hardware, may affect portability and battery life, and could void warranties or clash with official support policies. It underscores how curiosity can outpace corporate roadmaps while inviting debate about safeguard, safety, and long term viability.

Highlights

The line between consumer devices and maker culture keeps shaping what comes next