Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Luna Display

Hardware that turns the iPad into a wireless second display.

Luna Display

Luna Display Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether Luna Display is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • Luna Display Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-03

Features & Specs

  1. Portability

    Luna Display allows you to use your iPad or Mac as a second display, enhancing productivity on the go without the need for additional heavy hardware.

  2. Ease of Use

    The setup process is user-friendly, requiring just a simple plug-in of the Luna Display dongle and installation of the companion apps, making it accessible for non-technical users.

  3. Compatibility

    Luna Display is compatible with both Mac and Windows, providing flexibility for users operating on different platforms.

  4. Latency

    The device offers low latency performance, ensuring smooth and responsive interaction, which is crucial for graphic design or gaming tasks.

  5. Wireless Capability

    Luna Display can connect wirelessly, allowing more freedom in positioning and reducing clutter from cables on your workspace.

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Videos

Review: Luna Display by Astropad

Use your iPad as second Monitor - Luna Display Review and Basics

Luna Display Review - Fantastic tool with one exception!

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about Luna Display and what they use it for.
  • Asus Zenbook Duo 2024
    App: https://astropad.com/product/studio/ Dongle: https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay/ First turns iPad into Wacom, second is a second screen with features Sidecar doesn't offer, such as reversing for use with teleprompter. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • New Linux Tablet from Star Labs
    Luna Display [1] works with iPads running at minimum iOS 12.1. Which means iPad mini 2, iPad Air, iPad Pro 1, iPad 5 and greater. [1] https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Use iMac as monitor
    You could use Luna Display, Iโ€™ve used it and it was pretty good. I think itโ€™s a great substitute when your iMac doesnโ€™t support the required MacOS for extending the screen natively. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Is it possible to use my late 2013 27โ€ iMac as a display for a Mac Studio
    Luna Display. I use it with a late 2014 iMac 27โ€. Buy the toggle, install software for both machines, no subscription. Works really well. https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay/. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Can Put Windows OS VM on iMac to use asa Secondary Screen for Work PC Laptop
    - Hardware add on: Luna https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay/ the usb c is 119$ (if you have the minidsplay port, its 59$ but this means you can only plug this into macs). Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Old MBP to MBA. Do I sell iMac?
    Check out LunaDisplay, you plug in a usb dongle on both devices and install their software and they transmit data over a direct connection so thereโ€™s very little latency. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Compatibility using an old iMac as an additional monitor?
    I've used https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay/ via the USB-C dongle to use a 5k iMac as a monitor. I'm mixed. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • 2019 iMac Retina 5K 27inch - can I use this as a monitor for my Dell laptop?
    The last iMac model that natively supported use as a display with other Macs was the one released in 2014. You would need to purchase luna display or something similar to accomplish this. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • How do I mirror a bew MBP to iMac?
    Thatโ€™s great you got it working on the 2017 despite it running Ventura, however Appleโ€™s documentation states the Mac you want to use an iMac as a display with has to be from 2019 or earlier and have 10.15 or earlier installed. Apple retired the functionality, and the only other way I am aware of to turn any Mac into a display for another is using luna display. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Can I use my ipad pro as second monitor to my pc?
    I did just run across The Luna dongle by Astropad. It's pricey at $120 and I don't know how good it is, but you might want to research it a bit if you're truly determined. I did try Astropad a few years ago to turn my iPad into a tablet with my PC and I hated it. The UI was just too small with the aspect ratio for iPad. Maybe Astropad is better now, but I'm not sure I want to spend the money on it to find out. But... Source: about 3 years ago
  • 2017 21.5" Imac Graphics Card Failure (use as monitor?)
    It doesn't support target display mode so your next option is https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay/ but I suspect it requires the iMac to boot. Source: about 3 years ago
  • My 2009 27โ€ iMac I use for word processing and web browsing!
    If you wanted to use your 2017โ€ iMac as a 2nd display to extend your existing display, it can be done using the Luna display dongle. https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay/. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Mac mini and iPad
    I found myself in the same boat. Just so you know it is not possible to run sidecar without a primary display. In order to run the iPad as a primary display, you need something like the Luna Display in headless mode. I tried this, and the experience was terrible. Without a USB-C wire connecting my iPad to my Mac, the frame rate and pixelation of using just wi-fi as the connection made it unusable. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Can one use an old imac display with the mac mini?
    Not natively, but there is Luna Display. If you don't mind completely taking it apart and replacing the logic board with a custom display board you can follow in Luke Miani's footsteps. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Monterey on an iMac late 2015 - and upgrades
    The hardware is not compatible with macOS Ventura without using OpenCore Legacy Patcher. Additionally, although your iMac doesnโ€™t support target display mode, Luna Display is one option for getting around that limitation. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Today picked up a $20 2011 iMac 27โ€ with working gpu too!
    You can now buy a third-party device for newer Macs to use the iMac screen - such as LUNA DISPLAY https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay/. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Advice regarding setting up MacBook Pro M2
    I have an old iMac 27-inch (mid-2015), which I want to convert into a second monitor using a Luna Display. I also replaced my old monitor with a Gigabyte M32U. Source: about 3 years ago
  • MacBook Connect to iMac
    You can check out Luna Display: https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay/. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Are there any bootleg ways of using a 2015 4K iMac as a second monitor?
    Try Luna Display. I use it with a late 2012 iMac and it works well. Https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay/. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Is it possible to use an iPad as a PC's only monitor?
    Yes, it can be done, but as far as Iโ€™m aware the only way to do it is to use a 3rd-party dongle and app. Astropadโ€™s Luna will do it for both Mac and PC. They even mention headless PCs as a use case. See here: https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay/. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Is it possible to use air display with an older iMac or use the Mac as a monitor?
    The only method Iโ€™ve come across that allows for what youโ€™re wanting is Luna Display. Source: about 3 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of Luna Display

Summary of Public Opinion on Luna Display

Luna Display, a hardware-based solution developed by Astropad, is prominently positioned within the remote desktop and screen mirroring space. As a premium alternative to software options like Duet Display and Air Display, Luna Display distinguishes itself by supporting diverse configurations, such as Mac-to-iPad, Mac-to-Mac, and headless modes, thereby offering users flexible multi-monitor setups adaptable to various technical scenarios.

Market Position and Competition

In the realm of alternatives to Duet Display and solutions like Spacedesk, Luna Display consistently appears among preferred mentions, praised for its robust capabilities and seamless user experience for Apple ecosystem users. Unlike its competitors, Luna Display supports a unique connectivity approach by leveraging a hardware dongle, which is notably appreciated for reducing latency and supporting wireless connections efficiently. However, it's worth noting that the product is primarily Apple-centric, which might limit its appeal to a broader audience seeking cross-platform functionality.

User Experience and Features

Users have highlighted Luna Display's ease of use, even for beginners, largely due to its intuitive interface and straightforward installation process. The product's capability to convert older iMacs or MacBooks into secondary displays, especially when native support for such features has been retired by Apple, stands out as a significant benefit. This is particularly relevant for users with legacy devices not compatible with macOS's modern updates.

Beyond basic screen mirroring, Luna Display offers a range of use casesโ€”from using an iPad as a portable display to deploying it in headless mode for teleprompters or other specialized setups. On the downside, some users have encountered challenges with wireless connections, particularly in scenarios involving older hardware and when not using a USB-C connection, resulting in occasional performance issues like reduced framerates or pixelation.

Pricing and Affordability

Price considerations are a recurring theme in public discussions about Luna Display. With dongles priced from $59 to $119 depending on the port type, Luna Display is sometimes viewed as an expensive proposition compared to competitors that do not require additional hardware. However, this investment is often justified by users who emphasize the tangible performance improvements over software-only solutions, especially in terms of latency and stability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Luna Display holds a strong position among remote desktop and multi-monitor solutions for the Apple user base, particularly appreciated for its hardware-based approach, which ensures a reliable user experience. While it faces scrutiny concerning its pricing and platform exclusivity, its distinct advantages in performance and versatility make it an attractive choice for users looking to maximize their existing Apple hardware's capabilities. As newer products and software updates emerge, Luna Display's continued alignment with user needs and technological advancements will determine its ongoing relevance and adoption.

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Is Luna Display good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss Luna Display here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.