

Older versions of Macs and Windows PCs use third-party apps like Splashtop Wired XDisplay, Duet Display, and Spacedesk to connect the iPad as a second display. These PCs include macOS Catalina and advanced versions. You can use Apple's built-in Apple Sidecar or Universal control to connect the iPad as a second monitor for compatible mac PCs only. Sign in to iCloud on both devices using an identical Apple ID.ĭespite the allowance for wireless connection, it is best to plug the iPad into your Mac PC using a USB cable to keep it charged. What do I need when using your iPad as a second screen? How can I use my iPad as a second monitor with an incompatible PC? We've provided answers to all these questions and illustrated how to use Sidecar and Universal Control.īefore doing anything, ensure your iPad and Mac PC are compatible with the Sidecar system requirements. There are third-party apps that enable the iPad display as a secondary monitor. Having said that, do older Mac versions and Windows PCs stand a chance? The answer is yes. MacOS Catalina and advanced versions allow you to use your iPad as a second monitor using Sidecar seamlessly. This connection will only happen if you have a second monitor, but you can use your iPad as a second monitor if you don’t have one.

Available now, Windows version coming soon.Two monitors are much better than one primary monitor. Plus, if you have you Mac laptop with you, you probably have the iPad too, and you don't even have to pack a cable. You wouldn't want to use this for anything motion-intensive, but as a place to keep your Twitter and IM clients, or even as an extra screen for something like Photoshop Lightroom, it is ideal. If you quit the app to do something else, the Mac resets back to a single screen, but if you get push-notifications they pop up on the iPad as normal, and you can tap to dismiss as normal. Touching is a little freaky, as multi-touch gestures don't work.
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The touch screen works, although you can mouse into the space as well. Better, in fact, as the iPad has a pretty high-resolution screen. Once it is settled, though, after a second or so, the image is as clear as you'd expect. Watching videos on the iPad screen is choppy, and if you drag a window across it then there is a delay and the image pixellates somewhat. Because this works over the air (both machines need to be on the same Wi-Fi network), there is some lag.
