Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors Giveaway: Win a Luna Display Adapter for Turning Your iPad Into a Second Screen

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,189
38,974



For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Astropad to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Luna Display adapter. The Luna Display is a handy little dongle that's designed to turn your iPad into a second screen for your Mac.


You may be familiar with the Astropad software, which mirrors the Mac's display to an iPad, but the Luna Display extends the Mac's display to the iPad instead of mirroring it for full second screen functionality.

lunadisplay1-800x533.jpg

Using Mini DisplayPort or USB-C, the Luna Display plugs right into your Mac and then works with the iPad using the Luna Display software for Mac and iPad. Setup takes just a few seconds and the device works over a Wi-Fi connection.

lunadisplay2-800x497.jpg

At $80, the Luna Display is an affordable option for those who want a second portable display for the Mac that's perfect for use both at home and when on the go. The connection between the two devices is seamless with little to no lag depending on your connection.

lunadisplay3-800x534.jpg

Luna Display works with any modern iPad, dating back to the iPad 2, along with the iPad mini and the iPad Pro. Newer iPads will perform better, of course, due to the faster hardware. You can also use the Luna Display with any 2012 or later Mac.

lunadisplay4-800x533.jpg

We've even set up an iPad Pro as a display for a Mac mini using the Luna Display, as seen in our video below, and it worked well.


You can buy the Luna Display from the Luna Display website, and we also have five of them to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win our giveaway, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

The contest will run from today (February 15) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on February 22. The winners will be chosen randomly on February 22 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

Article Link: MacRumors Giveaway: Win a Luna Display Adapter for Turning Your iPad Into a Second Screen
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2019/02/15/macrumors-giveaway-luna-adapter/
  • Like
Reactions: Gravydog316
bbeagle said:
The dongle is acting like a monitor cable and transmitting the data to the iPad. Your laptop is not transferring the data - the dongle is.

You're not mirroring the laptop's screen - this is an additional second screen like plugging in a monitor.
Click to expand...
As I understand it, that's not exactly true. If the dongle was transmitting, you'd either need another dongle for the iPad, or your iPad would need to join the dongle's wifi network. What I believe is happening is the dongle is in fact tricking the mac into thinking there is an external display, which forces the OS to output another display signal. The Luna app then grabs that pre-processed signal and sends it over WiFi to the iPad. Other apps, instead spoof that display via software (I'm assuming via a MacOS API).

I'm not quite sure why the dongle is needed if there is in fact an API mechanism, unless there are performance or user experience benefits.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AngerDanger and profets
Is this the best solution for the job? I’m looking for something like this for presentations and Adobe Illustrator companion. Do someone have experience of working with it?
 
I was in early on kick starter and have had my Luna for a while.

It is VASTLY superior to Duet. The dongle is needed as it actually acts as a hardware attached monitor; the signal to that monitor is the re-bound by Luna and sent over a proprietary framework via wifi which is the decoded and displayed by the app on the other side. The latency is VERY low and it allows you to treat it as any other monitor in MacOS; where you can mirror, extend have the iPad function in highDPI or 1:1.

It can also work via USB for wifi free environments (I just tested this method on a plane) and has settings for crowded office environments where multiple Luna may exist.

It’s just really well thought out; and they continue to improve it. They just updated the app which supposedly lowered the latency even further (no difference to my useage case; but good for some I guess).

This is a GREAT option for people who are used to a dual screen set up for work but travel a lot; I just wish they had a way to physically teather the dongle to something like a key ring.

For the guy asking about Illistrator! Yes! Also natively works with Apple Pencil. The company also first developed called AstroPad which is even further improved with Luna!

You really should check it out! Great hardware based acceleration and well though put integration makes it a winner in my books!
 
  • Like
Reactions: AngerDanger, Gravydog316, riverfreak and 1 other person
srdunn said:
I was in early on kick starter and have had my Luna for a while.

It is VASTLY superior to Duet. The dongle is needed as it actually acts as a hardware attached monitor; the signal to that monitor is the re-bound by Luna and sent over a proprietary framework via wifi which is the decoded and displayed by the app on the other side. The latency is VERY low and it allows you to treat it as any other monitor in MacOS; where you can mirror, extend have the iPad function in highDPI or 1:1.

It can also work via USB for wifi free environments (I just tested this method on a plane) and has settings for crowded office environments where multiple Luna may exist.

It’s just really well thought out; and they continue to improve it. They just updated the app which supposedly lowered the latency even further (no difference to my useage case; but good for some I guess).

This is a GREAT option for people who are used to a dual screen set up for work but travel a lot; I just wish they had a way to physically teather the dongle to something like a key ring.

For the guy asking about Illistrator! Yes! Also natively works with Apple Pencil. The company also first developed called AstroPad which is even further improved with Luna!

You really should check it out! Great hardware based acceleration and well though put integration makes it a winner in my books!
Click to expand...

Thanks for a thorough explanation. Much appreciated!
 
I’ve been using Luna on my 12.9” iPad to control a headless Mac mini I keep in the basement. It’s fantastic, and can even run the UI @2x (retina).

When you open it, it essentially feels like a 13” touch Mac.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gravydog316 and Classie
MacRumors said:
At $80, the Luna Display is an affordable option for those who want a second portable display for the Mac that's perfect for use both at home and when on the go. The connection between the two devices is seamless with little to no lag depending on your connection.
Click to expand...


Lol, for just a bit more you have a second (Hardware) display.
One difference, no touch interface.
 
ipedro said:
I spoke with Astropad and they confirmed an important point: if you drag a window on to the iPad, it will then be able to be manipulated with an Apple Pencil so you could work on Mac apps like Photoshop on an iPad using the Pencil.
Click to expand...

I believe that Apple Pencil functionality does require the purchase of Astropad Standard for iOS ($30).
 
gnipgnop said:
I believe that Apple Pencil functionality does require the purchase of Astropad Standard for iOS ($30).
Click to expand...
Apple Pencil works without Astropad. But it doesn't support tilt/pressure sensitivity/etc. So, it works like a "finger".
If you want pressure sensitivity then you need to buy also Astropad Studio or Standard - to combine it with Luna Display.

Overall, Luna Display is like HDMI headless (8$) or similar hardware. To trick your Mac to use iPad like a second display + dGPU.
There are like two difference: a) with Luna Display you get a native iPad resolution without any dancing and headaches. b) they use some video stuff to provide you as less latency as possible.
 
justperry said:
Lol, for just a bit more you have a second (Hardware) display.
One difference, no touch interface.
Click to expand...
Except it is a lot easier to carry an iPad (or pro in my case) onto an airplane. I use a Luna for traveling to get a second display and a large monitor as one at home with my MBP.
Having used Duet and the Luna I much prefer the Luna due to its much lower latency.
[doublepost=1550342416][/doublepost]
gnipgnop said:
I believe that Apple Pencil functionality does require the purchase of Astropad Standard for iOS ($30).
Click to expand...

No, the pencil works much like a mouse, it lacks pressure sensitivity,etc.
 
bbeagle said:
The dongle is acting like a monitor cable and transmitting the data to the iPad. Your laptop is not transferring the data - the dongle is.

You're not mirroring the laptop's screen - this is an additional second screen like plugging in a monitor.
Click to expand...

You can also plug in a lightning cable for data connection instead of WiFi (to improve picture quality). So not entirely sure what the dongle is for, probably to improve input lag.

I’ve got one and barely use it. Disappointed that it doesn’t support pressure with Apple Pencil unless you subscribe to unlock that feature.
 
Zero point in a wireless display if it still takes up a port on the computer imo..
 
rubberfish said:
You can also plug in a lightning cable for data connection instead of WiFi (to improve picture quality). So not entirely sure what the dongle is for, probably to improve input lag.
Click to expand...

As I understand it, the dongle makes the Mac think an external monitor is installed and thus allows Luna to use the GPU for an external display; it also appears to act as a DEM tool so that they can let the associated programs be downloaded at no cost.

I’ve got one and barely use it. Disappointed that it doesn’t support pressure with Apple Pencil unless you subscribe to unlock that feature.
Click to expand...

Luna display does not do any pressure sensitivity nor is it subscription based, so I think you are talking about Astropad standard, which does do pressure sensitivity, and it is a one time purchase.

Here is a comparison:

https://blog.astropad.com/standard-vs-studio/
[doublepost=1550404988][/doublepost]
Jaekae said:
Zero point in a wireless display if it still takes up a port on the computer imo..
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on your use case, I find it very useful when traveling to turn my iPad Pro into a second display; which I connect via USB for best performance.
[doublepost=1550405408][/doublepost]
mschmalenbach said:
https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/05/d...e-acceleration-to-catch-up-with-luna-display/

An interesting take on Duet vs Luna.

I’m fine with my Duet arrangement- Luna would have to bring world peace or something if it wants my $80!
Click to expand...

Interesting article, thanks a lot.

I do take issue with their claims Duet obsoletes Luna Display and costs 10x less; since version 2 now requires a subscription for a feature I had in V1 (wireless) and that Luna includes in it's price. That makes Duet only 1/3 the price in year one and requires an ongoing subscription. My guess is at $7 per ($10 less Apples 30% cut) they can't make enough to support ongoing development, so they pull a few key features in the new version in an attempt to convert users to the subscription model. I get it, but since I already got a Luna (on KS) I see no reason to lock myself into a subscription to get features I already achieve with Luna and had with Duet before they "upgraded" their software. Plus, who knows if Apple's next OS release won't break Duet again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: profets
I have a MBP and am considering getting a 2019 iPad mini.

How is this any better or different to merely tethering an iPad via a USB-C to USB-C cable?
 
I was a longtime user of Duet and an early backer in Astropad’s Kickstarter campaign for Luna. The Luna is absolutely fantastic and it is leaps and bounds better than Duet. It is a night and day difference.

I am a full-time professional creator that is on the road 200-220 days a year and I love using Luna with my MBP and iPad Pro. Super useful.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back