I know there has been much ink spilled on the topic of stage manager. [See my collection of posts below.] I just wanted to add one item, that I mentioned in passing elsewhere. I am finding that Stage Manager on a single display is vastly superior to Mission Control and Spaces. I’m writing this as someone who really likes and heavily uses Mission Control and Spaces.
I have a 16" MacBook Pro and I usually have dozens of windows open. Right now I count 15 and it’s not even 9 A.M. here in L.A. Normally, my MacBook is docked and I’m using it with my 27" screen (that is until I take this bait courtesy @rkaplan: Multiple Studio Displays). I usually prefer that set up because even with a 16" display, the work that I do can feel cramped.
I’ve been working on my MacBook alone a lot lately and with Stage Manager, I have been finding I am working as effectively as I do on my big set up. Here are my theories.
First Mission Control on a 27" or larger display gives you enough room to really look at your universe of open windows on a display. On the laptop, though, the Mission Control display is cramped. Stage Manager has helped me avoid the need to use Mission Control. By the way, I never thought of any of this before the advent of Stage Manager.
Second, I find switching between apps is more efficient with Stage Manager than with Spaces. Spaces is an excellent feature: it keeps your work organized; it’s simple to use; it provides great flexibility; and provides probably dozens more benefits. It is one of the standout features that made the Mac a far more desirable operating environment than Windows. Still, Stage Manager – on a single display – is a vasty more efficient way to manage a whole lot of windows and apps. The switching seems faster to me (don’t know if it actually is), it’s easier to interact between apps in different stages than it is to interact with apps in different spaces.
Third, Stage Manager takes less conscious effort to organize one’s workspace. I don’t have to re-arrange my apps into different Spaces and it’s trivial (most of the time) to get apps onto the same stage.
Fourth, Stage Manager makes it easier to get to apps and avoid getting lost. With multiple spaces, no matter how well I have my apps and projects organized, I sometimes have to switch spaces multiple times to find what I’m looking for. It’s not a huge issue, but I have not faced this problem at all with Stage Manager.
Finally, I actually find that I think it’s fun to use without being kitschy or getting in my way.
Hopefully, as Stage Manager matures, Apple will fix some (all?) of the user interface quibbles we’ve raised and will continue to raise throughout our posts and comments here on MPU. Even as it currently works, I find it to be a step forward and that it has great promise.
________ Catalog of Posts on Stage Manager ________
Stage Manager is Growing on Me
Some thoughts on Stage Manager on iPadOS
Living with Stage Manager for Two Weeks
Stage Manager on Mac = Spaces with complications
StageManger IPad - here’s one use
P.S. I I missed any, let me know and I’ll add them.