I’m used to using multiple monitors at home and I find it hard to work with just one built-in monitor. It limits my screen space which makes it difficult for me to position application windows the way I want them. This decreases my productivity, so I prefer using multiple monitors.
When I travel, I always wish that I had more screen space. Luckily, there are several options available to help me achieve this. For instance, I could use an HDMI adapter to connect my Mac to the hotel TV. However, the TV might be too large or not positioned correctly for optimal viewing on my computer.
Another option is to bring a lightweight, portable monitor. However, even though I have one, I often don’t bring it because it’s inconvenient to lug around an extra monitor just for more screen space.
Fortunately, I always travel with my MacBook and Samsung Ultra Android tablet. The tablet’s spacious 14.6-inch screen is ideal for watching videos or reading during a flight. However, I need to determine how to convert this tablet into an additional screen.
Fortunately, there is a solution. If you own an iPad, you can easily utilize the Sidecar feature built into both macOS and iPadOS. However, if you do not have an iPad or wish to use multiple devices, the Duet Display software is also an excellent option.
Duet Display permits you to use your iPad, iPhone, Android device, PC, or another Mac’s display as a secondary display over USB or even WiFi.
I thoroughly tested this feature during my last trip and found that it works extremely well.
One drawback of using Duet Display is that it requires a subscription fee; however, Duet Display offers several pricing options which are outlined below:
The cheapest option is the $4 per month plan, which is billed annually. Alternatively, you can opt for the Duet Pro lifetime use plan for $229.
They offer 20 minutes of free connection for personal use, however, I have found that you can use this free connection multiple times. From what I can tell, you can do this indefinitely by simply selecting the free option to reconnect. This process can be a bit inconvenient as it may require multiple reconnections before establishing a stable connection.
By subscribing, not only do you support the development of this software, but you also gain access to additional features such as:
- Remote access to connect to your device remotely similar to Teamviewer.
- The ability to draw on your computer using your tablet.
- A headless server that allows you to use a device permanently as a monitor for devices such as Mac Mini servers.
Below is a photo of my setup at the hotel.
I love this setup! It’ll definitely help me be more productive while I travel, which is something I’ll be doing more of in the coming months.
If you want to extend your display to other devices that you may already carry with you, give Duet Display a try. It’s a great option!
You can download a copy to try out at Duet — Remote Desktop, Second Display, Drawing Tablet, and More (duetdisplay.com)
