Mini Display review: Use your iPhone or iPad as a 2nd display for your Mac.

Mini Display review: Use your iPhone or iPad as a 2nd display for your Mac. | iMore.com Skip to main content Android BlackBerry iPhone / iPad Windows Phone webOS SIGN UP|LOG IN iMore Forums Apps Games Accessories Reviews How-To Podcasts Contests iPhone iPad mini iPad iPod touch Apple TV iOS iCloud iTunes Mac Hot: iPhone 5S Guides: iPhone buyers | iPad buyers | iOS users Free: Wallpaper | iPhone apps, games | iPad apps, games Shop Online Cases Chargers Screen protectors Headsets & More Free shipping on orders over $50 Mini Display review: Use your iPhone or iPad as a 2nd display for your Mac. By Leanna Lofte, Thursday, Apr 11, 2013 a 2:20 am 8

Mini Display is a new app by Edovia that converts your iPhone or iPad into a second display for your Mac. Need extra screen space for your Twitter client or a place for your Photoshop palettes? Then Mini Display may be the perfect solution.

To use Mini Display, you must first download the Mini Display Connect client onto your Mac and enable Screen Sharing in your Mac's preferences.

Once your Mac is ready to go, you're all set to connect with your iPhone and iPad. Simply login with your Mac's credentials, choose if you want to restore windows, and if you're using a Retina iPad, decide if you want high resolution and less space, or low resolution and more space. You can also choose to leave the password field blank so that you are required to enter your password every time you use the app. Edovia also makes Screens VNC, so they know how to handle iOS device to Mac interactivity, and it shows.

Once you connect, you've got a second display for your Mac! Its default location is to the right of your Mac's display, but you can change it in the Display settings in System Preferences on your Mac. You can also interact with windows on the screen with gestures, using a three finger swipe to bring up the iOS keyboard, for example, and logout by simply pinching to zoom out.

The goodEasy setup and useCan be used in both portrait and landscape orientationsUse your iPad's Retina display to create an ultra-crisp external screenRestores windows you place in it.Use your device keyboard and touch gesturesOption to prompt you with your password when you connect to your MacThe badDisplay refresh can lagThe bottom line

Mini Display is a really great companion to any Mac, especially 11" and 13" MacBook Pros that have limited screen real estate. Unfortunately, it doesn't run perfectly smooth and the lag is bit annoying, but if you choose to use Mini Display for things like a Twitter feed, to-do list, email client, or anything else that you aren't constantly interacting with, then you'll find it to be a great asset. And it's much cheaper than buying second monitor.

$12.99 - Download now

Leanna Lofte

App and Photography Editor at iMore. Mother, wife, and math instructor. Follow her on Twitter @llofte and send her apps to consider for review at iosapps@imore.com

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More of: mini display ? PreviouslyVerizon CEO says he sold Steve Jobs on LTE for iPhone 5 Next up ?Mail Pilot for iPhone and iPad review: turn your inbox into a productivity powerhouse There are 8 comments. Add yours. Easy-G says: Apr 11, 2013 at 5:46 am - 7 hours ago

"Unfortunately, it doesn't run perfectly smooth and the lag is bit annoying, but if you choose to use Mini Display for things like a Twitter feed, to-do list, email client, or anything else that you aren't constantly interacting with, then you'll find it to be a great asset."

Or just run a lag-free Twitter client, to-do list app, or email client on the iPad and save yourself $13.

Reply R1cki97 says: Apr 11, 2013 at 6:44 am - 6 hours ago

Is it available only for macs?

Reply PassOutPete says: Apr 11, 2013 at 8:54 am - 4 hours ago

I was happy to see this article. I have long since been interested in trying to turn my iPad into a secondary screen for my MacBook. But everywhere that I look, I yield nothing.

To me, the one and only con of screen lag may in fact 86 this app for me. Do you know of any other applications that have a fluid like feel to them? Something similar to Apple TVs air display, but for a Mac/iPad?

I know that there has to be something out there somewhere that can and will do exactly what I want. It's just a matter of finding it and executing! But nevertheless, thanks for another wonderful review. It really did shed some much needed light on something that has boggled me.

Reply kevinbhayes says: Apr 11, 2013 at 9:35 am - 3 hours ago

How does this compare to AirDisplay?

Reply PassOutPete says: Apr 11, 2013 at 11:24 am - 2 hours ago

Thats what I want to know, too. I've been looking and looking but find no comparisons anywhere. I'd be nice to know something before I drop 13 bucks, ya know.

Reply czhDavid says: Apr 11, 2013 at 9:57 am - 3 hours ago

Apps like that have been here for a long time... and usualy sucked

Reply PassOutPete says: Apr 11, 2013 at 11:25 am - 2 hours ago

Well, is there a decent one available? Maybe even a wired version???

Reply rj5570 says: Apr 11, 2013 at 11:42 am - 1 hour ago

too bad, I really would like a good solution for this. I have no patience for a lag, so I will not be trying this. Wish you could use airplay to add an iPad as another monitor.

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