I wasn't sure how useful Stage Manager really is. Actually, I'm not sure how useful my iPad 11 inch M1 bought in 2021 is.
I think if I was a student or somebody like that, with very light computing needs, you can argue that the iPad is a reasonable alternative to a MacBook Air. It's arguable though.
I work at home on my 14-inch MacBook Pro M1 from 2021, connected to a 27-inch external monitor. Next to that I have my iPhone Pro 13 which I can't live without. Next to that is my iPad Pro which I almost never touch. Sometime "just to use it" I'll pick it up to read a book in the Kindle app. But I'm usually ok reading on my iPhone too.
I got it originally thinking I could use it on weekends for a volunteer class I teach at, instead of lugging my MBP, but we ended up sticking with Zoom meetings since the pandemic. Then I started carrying it around outside in a backpack in case of work emergencies. I still sometimes do that, but I really don't go anywhere hardly at all.
I'll make more use of it on my U.S. trip in April - first trip in 4 years! - but it sort of feels like a waste at the moment.
It's really a nice device though, with the Apple smart folio keyboard case.