Video: We Turned an iPad Pro Into a Mac Mini Display With the Luna Display Adapter

[jlc1978]

This feels like it's burying the lede somewhat? Luna is most useful to make the iPad into a Wacom Cintiq replacement in conjunction with AstroPad. It might be overkill if you just want to use it as a second display (unless you're planning on always having that 2nd display set up and want to minimise latency?) - I guess it is cool if you have your laptop and iPad on the road and want a quick multi display setup.

For me, the ability to have a second display while traveling was worth every penny I paid on KS. My iPad does double duty as a monitor, greatly improving productivity, and as a video / reader / web surfing tool when not working.

 

[fathergll]

Watching FCPX on an iPad looks delicious.

I hear it's even better on a iMac Pro!!

 

[giggles]

I'm assuming it's H.265 or similar compression on the iPad side then the dongle has a hardware decoder. There shouldn't be a driver on the Mac side since the mac just thinks it's a monitor. It's pretty similar to how Apple's HDMI out adapter for lightning works.

Is the 8-bit color thing a typo? I was under the impression that was pretty terrible.
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The mac just sees a monitor, so it's probably the iPad.

I think you got most of it wrong/backwards.

Only role of the dongle is tricking macOS into believing there’s a monitor with certain characteristics connected, nothing else. This way the Mac unleashes all the native gpu power (compared to other screen sharing systems).

Then the Luna server app on the Mac does all the heavy lifting to capture the video output and convert it on the fly to their proprietary LIQUID format.

iPad app just listens and not much more.

 

[jlc1978]

Pretty much completely refutes Apple's continual argument/comment that Mac OS on a touch screen (iPad) is a poor user experience. Yeah right. It looks like it's a great experience (and they know it... but want to sell you a laptop too).

I honestly think that at this point,  doesn't know what to do with the iPad. It's obviously so shackled by iOS.

Perhaps, but there is a difference between an app designed for use on a touch screen and using a touchscreen to replicate the mouse. They have two different UI designs. For example, inputing a date in iOS often brings up a "slot machine" scroller that a swipe up or down rolls to get you to the desired input, OS X would either get a drop down or require keyboard input. I agree OS X could be a good touch input OS, but that would require rethinking many of its design features.

 

[polaris20]

I don't really see a good use-case for this setup unless there's a second standard monitor connected to the Mini to provide real-estate. Yes, it does provide touch-screen access to macOS, but at a high cost that still requires a large second monitor if you're going to do anything serious using the touch-screen access.

This doesn't just work with an iPad Pro. You could get a $329 iPad. The use case is more valid IMO with a Mac laptop, for use as a second screen.

Nice. But if this is the useful for you, you could better buy a Surface. You can work with a full scale OS and use it at a mobile device.

Yeah, but then you'd be stuck with a Surface, which sucks.

 

[giggles]

Perhaps, but there is a difference between an app designed for use on a touch screen and using a touchscreen to replicate the mouse. They have two different UI designs. For example, inputing a date in iOS often brings up a "slot machine" scroller that a swipe up or down rolls to get you to the desired input, OS X would either get a drop down or require keyboard input. I agree OS X could be a good touch input OS, but that would require rethinking many of its design features.

I would call it an interesting experience for enthusiasts but not a mainstream experience.

And a specialized experience for artists...

It kinda works, but Apple is still kinda right.

 

[aevan]

I agree, thus my post. But if there's compression, where is it being performed? In the dongle? A special driver on the Mac?

I'm skeptical.

My guess it's either less than 8 bit color and/or less than 60 fps.

On Mac or on iPad, not sure - both apps need to be active for it to work.

 

[maxfromdenmark]

But why? Is this impossible to get a decent monitor in iPad price or what?

 

[mixel]

Is the latency (say, when using brushes in Photoshop) and the occasional pixelization of the screen better with Luna and Astropad than in "regular" (without Luna) Astropad?

Im finding this really hard to gauge, its comparable - probably identical? You still get artifacting if you, say - drag a window with really complex stuff around the desktop or zoom in/out. I've not had any latency issues. I found Astropad's screen mirroring almost unworkably cramped with my 9.7" iPad Pro, but with a full display it's perfect.

I have no idea who made this, but:

Seems like much of a muchness between the wired connections here.

But this guy said it *massively* reduces latency in Astropad on his older MBP... So it might depend on your particular setup?

 

[BayouTiger]

How is this different than the Duet iOS app?

Duet is a bit quirky at best. It is interesting to see a hardwired option with some good bandwidth (assuming that the USB-C.
Many times it would be nice to have a second display in the field.

 

[Jamers99]

I love this idea for FCP. Is there a way to get it to work with my 2015 iMac with Thunderbolt 2 ports? I'm guessing I'd need some sort of a Thunderbolt 2/3 adapter.

I wonder why this device uses Wi-Fi rather than BlueTooth? Would BT be better?

 

[mixel]

Luna works fine over USB. I use it as s econd monitor while traveling, the USB connection is fast and keeps my iPAd charged during a full day of work. It replace Duet for me just fine.

Only weird issue I have using Luna/Astropad wired is, if my MBP is charging, my linework goes patchy. If I unplug the power cable it works as intended. Its probably my 3rd party charger's fault - I've had a similar thing happen when charging iPhones and the touch sensitivity going a bit weird.

I love this idea for FCP. Is there a way to get it to work with my 2015 iMac with Thunderbolt 2 ports? I'm guessing I'd need some sort of a Thunderbolt 2/3 adapter.

I'm using the Mini DisplayPort version.. I think my iMac is a 2015 one too and it works great on it, but my Luna is plugged into an early 2013 MBP most of the time.

 

[DStaal]

How cost effective!

I think I want to buy a Ferrari to pull my Honda Civic. It will make it a supercar.

It's cheaper than a MacBook and an iPad. It's even cheaper than a Mac Mini + display and an iPad.

As long as you already have or want the iPad, it's cheaper than adding a display to the Mac. I wouldn't buy the iPad solely to use as a display - but if you have one, this allows you to save money on a display.

 

[imola.zhp]

Tempting for our Mac mini HTPC/Home Assistant PC but not until the prices come down. Until then I'll keep accessing it with my MacBook pro and native screen sharing.

 

[SeattleMoose]

If you already have or are planning to buy these Apple devices, the ability to use MacOS via an iPad is VERY intriguing.

 

[JOBS-3:16]

Yawn...

 

[hardwickj]

How is this different than the Duet iOS app?

Duet Display uses a software virtual adapter. It's buggy, it's laggy, it frequently breaks between OS updates, and it usually ends up crushing your CPU.

Luna Display essentially tricks your Mac into thinking the iPad is a real monitor, and therefore leverages your GPU. Much easier on the CPU, no lag, far less buggy.

I've been a user of both (I travel a *lot* for work and so have ended up using both). Luna Display is awesome. Totally worth the $80 if you travel with your iPad and want to get more use out of it.

 

[Brengineer]

Instead of using Wi-Fi, it would be awesome if you could just use a direct USB-C cable between Mac Mini and iPad Pro, just like any other display.

 

[hardwickj]

I've used both Duet and Luna extensively. I can assure you that Luna works leaps and bounds better than Duet. Absolutely worth the $80 if you travel a lot with your iPad and want to get more use out of it as a second display.

I usually use it for Slack/iTerm. It's just the right resolution for those types of apps.
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Instead of using Wi-Fi, it would be awesome if you could just use a direct USB-C cable between Mac Mini and iPad Pro, just like any other display.

You can. They call this "Office Mode". It's what I use since I work in large coworking spaces and have encountered others using Luna as well. I just disabled my wifi on my iPad and confirmed, it still works exactly as expected.
[doublepost=1542828569][/doublepost]This thread is chock full of misinformation and really bad assumptions about this product

 

[mixel]

Instead of using Wi-Fi, it would be awesome if you could just use a direct USB-C cable between Mac Mini and iPad Pro, just like any other display.

You can do that.. I'm doing it right now, in fact. (well, not from a Mac mini, from a MBP but that's beside the point) it runs generally faster through the cable than wifi, too.

edit: oh, do you mean without the need for extra software/hardware?

 

[hardwickj]

But why? Is this impossible to get a decent monitor in iPad price or what?

I travel extensively for work. I can't bring a full sized monitor with me everywhere, and it would be incredibly wasteful and time consuming to buy one everywhere I go. I already have my iPad with me, so....perfect!

(See my other post with photo to get a better idea)

 

[ActionableMango]

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This is from Luna's website. Points out some differences. Keeping in mind this is Luna's info not a independent party

https://lunadisplay.com/pages/luna-display-vs-duet-display

Looks the answer is here https://lunadisplay.com/pages/luna-display-vs-duet-display

Hmmm...that comparison is at best very misleading or at worst outright lying. For example it says Duet is limited to 1080P, but I'm using Duet right now and I use my iPad's native resolution. Also there are no black bars or aspect ratio problems because the resolution choices match the aspect ratio.

Here's a screen shot of my resolution choices. 1080p isn't even an option:

This isn't a recent thing. I've been using the iPad's native resolution with Duet for years.

The only way I see 1080p as a resolution choice in Duet is if I hook up my iPhone 8. But Luna is implying that the iPad is limited to 1080p with Duet.

 

[mixel]

I've used both Duet and Luna extensively. I can assure you that Luna works leaps and bounds better than Duet. Absolutely worth the $80 if you travel a lot with your iPad and want to get more use out of it as a second display.

Wooah, what's the iPad/MBP screen holder thing you're using here? (I don't know what to call it!)

 

[hardwickj]

all this so your display can cost as much as the Mac mini?

I think you're missing the point. Most people already have an iPad laying around. It's just another use for it:

- People who travel but want a 2nd display and happen to have their iPad with them (me, see my other post)
- Headless Mac Mini's (home servers, development cluster, etc). Rather than hall a monitor out and plug it in when the host machine might be tucked away somewhere difficult, instead you just plug in the small adapter and you're up and running.
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Hmmm...that comparison is at best very misleading or at worst outright lying. For example it says Duet is limited to 1080P, but I'm using Duet right now and I use my iPad's native resolution. Also there are no black bars or aspect ratio problems because the resolution choices match the aspect ratio.

Here's a screen shot of my resolution choices. 1080p isn't even an option:
View attachment 805734

This isn't a recent thing. I've been using the iPad's native resolution with Duet for years.

Let me assure you, as a Duet user since it came out, Luna Display works about 100x better. I loved Duet, but it just had too many quirks and used up too much CPU. Luna has none of its problems.
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Wooah, what's the iPad/MBP screen holder thing you're using here? (I don't know what to call it!)

Ten1Design's Mountie+
Make sure you get that and not the regular Mountie. The regular Mountie isn't strong enough for the iPad on its side and eventually breaks. Here's a photo from the back to help with your imagination

 

[ActionableMango]

Let me assure you, as a Duet user since it came out, Luna Display works about 100x better. I loved Duet, but it just had too many quirks and used up too much CPU. Luna has none of its problems.

Fair enough. I don't have both like you do, so I cannot compare. Nevertheless, that comparison page is...not right.

I used Duet with a 12-core 3.46Ghz Mac Pro, and an even faster Windows gaming PC, so I guess I never noticed any CPU hit. In any case, I cannot even consider Luna because I have both MacOS and Windows, and Luna doesn't support Windows.