While there are many options available for utilizing your iPad as a second display for your Mac or Windows PC (works for the iPad, iPad 2, iPad 3rd generation, iPad Air, iPad Mini and iPad Mini 2) each has its own drawbacks. Some are difficult to set up, some have slow video rates that can make use frustrating; there seems to be no perfect option for this seemingly common-sense application of these devices we carry everywhere with us. Lets take a look at 2 (almost) perfect apps that allow you to use your iPad tablet as a second monitor:
Splashtop’s XDisplay ($9.99)
Splashtop’s XDisplay, whose full functionality is available via in-app purchase for just $9.99 is the most popular app on the market to use your iPad as a second monitor, Setting this app up can be a bit of a pain, but for a process you don’t have to undergo that often it’s worth it for the final result. The app allows you to change between a higher resolution for sharper text but slightly less responsiveness and higher speed with somewhat lower resolution, making it versatile enough to use for video watching or text editing. To top it all off, it can be tried out for free for 10 minutes, so you can make sure it’s going to work out for your particular use-case before taking the plunge. The application is available through the App Store, and it will tell you where to go to download the accompanying software for use on your computer.
AirDisplay (Free)
If you are just trying this out and are not planning on making your iPad a permanent second monitor a good free alternative to Splashtop is AirDisplay, which you can download for free here. The software doesn’t work as well as Splashtop, it doesn’t resize windows automatically and it isn’t as easy to set up, but on the other hand, it is free. One of the good things is that it allows you to use up to 4 displays as second monitor, you can also mirror the display to your iPad, allowing you to control your mouse by touching the tablet’s display.
