Applications to use the tablet or iPad as a second computer monitor

If you usually use your desktop or laptop intensively to perform very different tasks, it is convenient to know how you can turn your tablet ( iOS or Android ) into a screen to expand your computer, control several programs at once and use of the tactility of your tablet to run all the programs you use, in addition to other advantages.

1. Airdisplay

It is an application of Avatron Software that allows you to use the iPad, iPhone or iPod touch as a complementary screen for Mac or Windows . You can also use the popular Apple widgets to extend your computer desktop and run computer programs.

For this it is necessary to download the application and install it on the iPad and you can immediately take advantage of its advantages: no cables are needed because it is based on Wi-Fi technology, it is enough to download some drivers to the computer supplied by the same creators of the utility. After activating the application, you can open and run all the programs on the iPad touch screen , by simply dragging the icons or windows you have on your main monitor to the tablet.

This Air Display features give your computer more versatility, being the application especially useful for editing, design software (Photoshop and Illustrator, among others), spreadsheets, music, programming and business. The additional screen can be used both vertically and horizontally simply by rotating the iPad as it suits you.

It is a downloadable payment utility in the Apple Store with a value of $ 9.99. It has compatibility with version 10.6 of Snow Leopard or later on an Intel computer and 32 and 64-bit systems.

As for Windows, Air Display is compatible with Windows XP 32 bits and Vista or Windows 7 32 and 64 bits; It is not compatible with Windows 7 Starter. In turn, if you have a tablet with the Android operating system, the application is also compatible with computers, both Mac and Windows.

2. Displaypad

It is a utility that costs a third than the previous one but is limited only to the iPad and Mac.

It fulfills the same function of the Air Display if both your Mac and your iPad are connected to the same network. The resolution and quality of the iPad display when the application is running depends largely on the strength of the wireless network shared by both computers; If the quality of the Wi-Fi is not enough, what we drag to the “secondary screen” (iPad) will be somewhat blurred.

On the iPad side, Displaypad is compatible with iOS 5.1 or later and as for Mac, the application requires Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard with Wi-Fi or later, although it is also compatible with Lion and Mountain Lion.

3. REDFLY ScreenSlider

Google Play markets this Celio Corp application as a utility to increase the productivity of your device by allowing you to use your tablet as an extension of your computer or laptop screen.

It differs from the previous ones in its lower price ($ 1.99) and in that it is compatible with Android tablets or smarthphones. Additionally, a Pro version is offered for $ 4.99 that allows you to control the computer from an Android device.

REDFLY ScreenSlider is compatible with Windows XP 32 bits, Windows Vista 32 bits and Windows 7. It is not compatible with Windows 8, Windows 7 Starter, Mac OS X. In turn, the utility supports Android devices from 2.2 to 3.2.1.

Update: this app is no longer available.

4. iDisplay

We talked about another one application to enlarge the laptop screen using a tablet with Android or iOS operating system (iPad). It allows you to use a tablet as a second screen and move from one device to another applications, windows and icons as it suits you. You are a programmer then you should look for our article on best monitor for programming.

It is an ideal utility for users who perform several tasks at the same time and need to monitor other services such as e-mail, news or a chat, among others. To do this you must download iDisplay on Google Play (upon payment) and run it on your tablet and connect to your laptop via a wireless network or via USB. You must also download and activate the respective drivers on your computer.

The compatibility of this application is with the operating system Android 2.1 and later, Mac based on Intel, Mac X 10.5 Leopard or later, Windows XP (32 bits), Windows Vista and Windows 7. It is not compatible for Macs that are not based on Intel