Is it possible to use an iPad as the primary (ergo ONLY) monitor for a Windows mini PC?
Most research seems to lean only in the direction of "secondary" display. I want to use it as the only display.
I can do this using,say, Yam display, for using the iPad as the primary monitor for MacOS...not sure about windows though.
iPad as primary monitor for windows?
- KVRAF
- 16810 posts since 8 Mar, 2005 from Utrecht, Holland
I'd say just try it. If there is no primary display, then the secondary could take the role.
Eg tab display is free, so nothing to lose.
I don't know what your budget is, but a new Microsoft Surface Pro costs less than $1000, must be much cheaper second hand.
You are aware that 12-15" lcd monitors with hdmi cost less than $100? I saw a tiny 5" one with touch ability.
Eg tab display is free, so nothing to lose.
I don't know what your budget is, but a new Microsoft Surface Pro costs less than $1000, must be much cheaper second hand.
You are aware that 12-15" lcd monitors with hdmi cost less than $100? I saw a tiny 5" one with touch ability.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 197 posts since 7 Nov, 2021
Thanks Surface pro cannot handle the audio throughput and VSTi's I run for the live gigs. It generates noise and stuttering even at 256+ buffer (needed to play VSTs with reasonable latency)BertKoor wrote: Sun May 24, 2026 9:33 pm I'd say just try it. If there is no primary display, then the secondary could take the role.
Eg tab display is free, so nothing to lose.
I don't know what your budget is, but a new Microsoft Surface Pro costs less than $1000, must be much cheaper second hand.
You are aware that 12-15" lcd monitors with hdmi cost less than $100? I saw a tiny 5" one with touch ability.
I know there are monitors, I have one, but it's that silly widescreen format that they ALL seem to be using now. Nothing (well nothing under about $3k) that gives me the same format 4:3 as the iPad which is perfect.
- KVRAF
- 8110 posts since 13 Jan, 2003 from Darkest Kent, UK
I think Spacedesk allows this, remember physically swapping monitors while it was active and pretty sure the iPad became the main monitor while the display was disconnected. Was a while ago so you'd have to check. It's free anyway so....
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 197 posts since 7 Nov, 2021
Yeah thanks... there are several like this the huge caveat is you NEED a monitor connected in the first place to the enable the second and THEN you can remove the first. But once you turn off the PC, it defaults back to the original monitor at next boot.GaryG wrote: Mon May 25, 2026 12:20 am I think Spacedesk allows this, remember physically swapping monitors while it was active and pretty sure the iPad became the main monitor while the display was disconnected. Was a while ago so you'd have to check. It's free anyway so....
No good for stage work, there it needs to be the ONLY monitor from the booting of the PC, as I will have no other monitors there. hahaha certainly not the 32" I use at home!