Luna Display ... Nice

[Mac4EverDrummer]

Since i now have 2 mac studios, I purchased the Luna display to utilize my 2014 iMac 4K retina as a 2nd display with my mac studio M2. Works well.

What i've seen so far:

1. pixelation is moving a window from the primary display to the 2nd display. No a big issue for me
2. possible a bit sluggish while scrolling. For example, scrolling youtube playlists. again not a big issue.
3. mouse movement slight delays occasionally. I can deal with that.
4. I just updated this thread. I was watching a youtube video on the 2nd monitor and the contributor speaking is lagged.

I'm still happy it's a solution to use an older iMAc as a 2nd display.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I just ordered one of these to use my M1 iMac as a second display to my Mac Studio + Pro Display XDR combo.

Regarding that lag/pixelization... I assume you're just connecting both over Wi-Fi? I'll be using Thunderbolt, hoping to optimize performance.

 

[Mac4EverDrummer]

I just ordered one of these to use my M1 iMac as a second display to my Mac Studio + Pro Display XDR combo.

Regarding that lag/pixelization... I assume you're just connecting both over Wi-Fi? I'll be using Thunderbolt, hoping to optimize performance.

Hi i connected mac studio usb-c on front to HDMI on the IMac. Plugged in the Luna device on back of MAc Studio thunderbolt port.

The more i was using the imac 2nd display, wasn't satisfied with performance, especially the mouse tracking was sparactic. I tried ll the troubleshooting they recommended and always had same results. I ran as peer to peer and also wifi, same results. I have very good wifi and router form Verizon. No issues. So kind of bummed it's not working out to my satisfacation.

My iMac is early 2015, so it's possible not a good matchup. They do require 2017 and newer, so I took a shot anyway.

All the reviews are very positive so not sure what is exceptible to others. I have an axtra monitor (not 4K) but at least i have to issues.

I'm sending luna back.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Hi i connected mac studio usb-c on front to HDMI on the IMac. Plugged in the Luna device on back of MAc Studio thunderbolt port.

The more i was using the imac 2nd display, wasn't satisfied with performance, especially the mouse tracking was sparactic. I tried ll the troubleshooting they recommended and always had same results. I ran as peer to peer and also wifi, same results. I have very good wifi and router form Verizon. No issues. So kind of bummed it's not working out to my satisfacation.

My iMac is early 2015, so it's possible not a good matchup. They do require 2017 and newer, so I took a shot anyway.

All the reviews are very positive so not sure what is exceptible to others. I have an axtra monitor (not 4K) but at least i have to issues.

I'm sending luna back.

Interesting. Did you try it with both computers connected via LAN to see if performance was better? Or is that what you mean by 'peer to peer'?

 

[Mac4EverDrummer]

Hi peer to peer is their setup that somehow is accomplished without ethernet connections. I have
connected both computers with an ethernet cable or both computers wired to the router.

I’ll give that a try. Luna lists limitations to graphics lag etc.
✌️

 

[jwhazel]

The limitation is primarily the attempt to encode and compress the frame buffer on the host while also trying to decode it in realtime on the target machine. This actually isn't too bad when at 1080p or lower, but once you get into 4-5k it's a challenge even with the dedicated enc/dec built into the cpu's. Especially when you have a lot of things moving on the display like video or scrolling text. Thunderbolt simply moves that transfer from wifi to an ethernet connection. Meaning that if you have a poor wifi setup, then it's a noticeable improvement. But otherwise, it's pretty similar since it's still done over a network stack and not pcie like some might assume.

Don't get me wrong, what Luna is doing is impressive. But I eventually couldn't live with it as an everyday solution due to the lag and pixelation during scrolling.

 

[Mac4EverDrummer]

The limitation is primarily the attempt to encode and compress the frame buffer on the host while also trying to decode it in realtime on the target machine. This actually isn't too bad when at 1080p or lower, but once you get into 4-5k it's a challenge even with the dedicated enc/dec built into the cpu's. Especially when you have a lot of things moving on the display like video or scrolling text. Thunderbolt simply moves that transfer from wifi to an ethernet connection. Meaning that if you have a poor wifi setup, then it's a noticeable improvement. But otherwise, it's pretty similar since it's still done over a network stack and not pcie like some might assume.

Don't get me wrong, what Luna is doing is impressive. But I eventually couldn't live with it as an everyday solution due to the lag and pixelation during scrolling.

absolutely. I returned. I have an xtra HDMI monitor, although not 4K but does what I need without performance issues.

 

[tm3]

My iMac is early 2015, so it's possible not a good matchup. They do require 2017 and newer, so I took a shot anyway.

I have a 27" iMac that I'm replacing as it is at the end of its OS upgradability. I really hate to just trash it, and I have always loved its monitor so I was excited to hear about Luna as I thought that I would buy a Mac Mini + Luna and be good to go.

The performance issues are not good, but I might be able to live with them.

However, the above quote may be the last nail in the coffin for this idea as my iMac is also early 2015. So, just to be sure, Luna requires 2017 or newer, correct?

I've also got a 2010 iMac that I'd like to bring into play as a monitor but it sounds like that is not happening for sure.

Thanks for putting out this info!

 

[Adora]

I just removed my M3 iMac (1TB 24GB) from my desk because the new Mini can't use it's display too. It was very annoying when each display was a separate Mac.

No I have to buy another display and the iMac is catching dust until the mini might have a problem. When I see the trade in prices I rather keep it as a backup. Selling it elsewhere is too much hassle for me in my current situation.

I really hate Apple for removing target display mode.

 

[Mac4EverDrummer]

I have a 27" iMac that I'm replacing as it is at the end of its OS upgradability. I really hate to just trash it, and I have always loved its monitor so I was excited to hear about Luna as I thought that I would buy a Mac Mini + Luna and be good to go.

The performance issues are not good, but I might be able to live with them.

However, the above quote may be the last nail in the coffin for this idea as my iMac is also early 2015. So, just to be sure, Luna requires 2017 or newer, correct?

I've also got a 2010 iMac that I'd like to bring into play as a monitor but it sounds like that is not happening for sure.

Thanks for putting out this info!

Hi i ended up sending luna back. Was not happy with the performance.

 

[jwhazel]

However, the above quote may be the last nail in the coffin for this idea as my iMac is also early 2015. So, just to be sure, Luna requires 2017 or newer, correct?

Im not aware of any such limitation. The host must be 2011 or later. But the target display can be anything that runs 10.13 including late ‘09 iMacs.

System Requirements for Luna Display - Knowledge Base

Primary Device Requirements Mac Requirements The Primary Mac can be used for either Mac-to-iPad Mode or Mac-to-Mac Mode. Model: 2011 or newer Operating system:

help.astropad.com

You’ve been warned about the performance. I’m pretty certain Luna uses cpu accelerated encode/decode (intel quicksync) which gets progressively better every other cpu generation. Therefore I would expect performance to get worse the farther back you go.

 

[wislonp]

Here is my experience. I followed all the advice on the support pages and even had suggestions from their help desk.

1. Software is a little unstable. The secondary (Late 2015 iMAC 27") has crashed several times.
2. After a (planned) power cut I couldn't get the primary (mini Mac M4) to boot up without connecting a monitor to the HDMI port. I followed the advice from their support desk and created a shortcut to launch the Luna display but, even though my mini Mac pings it doesn't get displayed on the secondary.
3. I had the dongle plugged into the rear Thunderbolt port but when I tried it in the front USB C port it failed to recognise it even though Luna detected the dongle it only worked on the rear port.
4. This is all OK if you know what you are doing but my wife uses the computer so I can't carry on and have asked for a refund within the 30 day return period.
5. Waiting for a DELL monitor to be delivered.

 

[PaulD-UK]

“I had the dongle plugged into the rear Thunderbolt port but when I tried it in the front USB C port it failed to recognise it…”

The front USB-C ports on the M4 mini do not carry an embedded video signal.
Only TB ports on modern Macs carry video.
So that is an expected outcome.

 

[Adora]

“I had the dongle plugged into the rear Thunderbolt port but when I tried it in the front USB C port it failed to recognise it…”

The front USB-C ports on the M4 mini do not carry an embedded video signal.
Only TB ports on modern Macs carry video.
So that is an expected outcome.

I recognized too that my external display that doesn't have a Thunderbolt port only works on Thunderbolt ports if I use the USB-C connection instead of DP or HDMI. Tried it on my M3 iMac, M4 Pro mini and on two expensive TB4 Docks. Every TB port worked and on USB 3.x Gen 2 there is always no connection found. I have a hub with orange USB-A ports, didn't try those yet.

I just wrote in another thread, I wish i had some test device for cables an ports that tells me all included features.

 

[wislonp]

I recognized too that my external display that doesn't have a Thunderbolt port only works on Thunderbolt ports if I use the USB-C connection instead of DP or HDMI. Tried it on my M3 iMac, M4 Pro mini and on two expensive TB4 Docks. Every TB port worked and on USB 3.x Gen 2 there is always no connection found. I have a hub with orange USB-A ports, didn't try those yet.

I just wrote in another thread, I wish i had some test device for cables an ports that tells me all included features.

I worked in a huge communication company and we used dongle to protect our software. U can see why the dongle needs to be in a Thunderbolt port. It was recognised in the front USB ports but the software wouldn't boot