Luna Display lets iPad Pro be your primary Mac mini touchscreen display

[Absrnd]

Correct, as long as you don't disconnect the fit-Headless.

So, that might be the advantage of the Luna, as after first install, and connect the Luna to your iPad, you can disconnect and never use that setup main screen again, and keep using the iPad as main screen, even after reboot ?

I could use my TV for setup, and then only use the iPad with the MacMini.

 

[BeatCrazy]

So, that might be the advantage of the Luna, as after first install, and connect the Luna to your iPad, you can disconnect and never use that setup main screen again, and keep using the iPad as main screen, even after reboot ?

I could use my TV for setup, and then only use the iPad with the MacMini.

I can’t imagine it’s going to work much different in that regards vs Duet.

The real problem is with software updates to macOS. I don’t have a TV close by, which is why I had to break down and get a cheap/small HDMI monitor that I tuck away.

 

[The JTizzle]

How fast is it? Pretty good performance?

It's fantastic on both USB and WiFi.
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How is this any different than Duet Display?

Luna allows for full hardware acceleration on the 2nd display, duet is a software render and very laggy. I own both solutions FYI.

 

[AutomaticApple]

It's fantastic on both USB and WiFi.
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Luna allows for full hardware acceleration on the 2nd display, duet is a software render and very laggy. I own both solutions FYI.

Oooh! That sounds great!

 

[inhalexhale1]

Headless computers. They have been around for a while

Also something to consider. The dongle is simply a 'dummy' monitor adapter that mimics a monitor. It doesn't really do anything. There are lots of these on Amazon for about $10, but I haven't seen one with USB-C, and also there's software integration to consider. It has gotten complicated since Apple pushed Airplay (which ruined programs like Duet Display, etc), so if this Luna 'just works' I'm all for it. Duet Display has been horribly broken for a while (although it might work now...who knows).

$80 is a bit much, but wtf.

People want OSX on their iPad. Sad we have to resort to this. If you plan on going the headless route, be advised it is not a glitch free experience. A laptop is infinitely better (although, perhaps not so exotic, and in spite of the pen interface, which can be had with a variety of HDMI graphics tablets for much less money).

Not to say this isn't a way cool thing. I will buy the Luna myself. Perhaps it's not as glitchy as some others.

Luna Display and Airplay do not work together.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Looks like their 20% off sale is over?

 

[coolbreeze2]

Could I run Mac OS with Luna from my Macbook to my iPP? Seems like it would work the same?

I wanted to know this as well. On their website, it says it will work from MacBook to IPP. https://lunadisplay.com/pages/frequently-asked-questions

 

[Momof9]

SO I am trying to decide on the Luna vs Duet display, functionality, touch screen, lag or lack there of... any ideas? I will be doing graphic design with it.

 

[The JTizzle]

Still with the Luna myself.

 

[Robertjan88]

Do you have to be on the same WiFi network for this to work? Or can I access my Mac Mini remotely when I am away from my house like on Jump Desktop...

This is something I was wondering as well. It seems that you are required to be on the same Wifi network. For remote access one requires a different app.

 

[pbird]

This is something I was wondering as well. It seems that you are required to be on the same Wifi network. For remote access one requires a different app.

Duet has a remote option but it uses the vnc protocol, so its a bit slow. For remote access I use Splashtop which works much faster.

 

[Robertjan88]

Duet has a remote option but it uses the vnc protocol, so its a bit slow. For remote access I use Splashtop which works much faster.

How stable is Splashtop? Say I have a Mac Mini without a display. How big would be the input lag when remotely controlling/accessing the PC from e.g. a stable 4g connection or normal Wifi (I have 600/600 at home, but most places get a lot less far when it comes to speed )?

Edit: I also noticed that the consumer version of Splashtop (even when paying yearly) does not offer features like a simple file transfer...

Source: https://www.splashtop.com/splashtop-personal-vs-splashtop-business-comparison

The free version of Team viewer and many other apps have this important capability.

 

[pbird]

How stable is Splashtop? Say I have a Mac Mini without a display. How big would be the input lag when remotely controlling/accessing the PC from e.g. a stable 4g connection or normal Wifi (I have 600/600 at home, but most places get a lot less far when it comes to speed )?

Edit: I also noticed that the consumer version of Splashtop (even when paying yearly) does not offer features like a simple file transfer...

Source: https://www.splashtop.com/splashtop-personal-vs-splashtop-business-comparison

The free version of Team viewer and many other apps have this important capability.

I have it for a long time, got the remote access option for free back then.

I have not tried team viewer in years, but Splashtop is much faster then regular Remote Desktop versions. At home there is hardly any lag. Scrolling is smooth and you can even watch videos with sound. Touch is more responsive then duet. Duet has better support for retina resolution on the iPad.
On the road it depends on the connection but if it's reasonable good it still works good enough for what I do, mostly Xcode.

Stability. It never crashes for me, but then I only use it a few times a week for a couple of hours.
Biggest drawback is that new users have to pay a subscription for remote access.

I have not tried it myself but there is also nomachine that is free and also is also optimized for speed.

 

[gatorknight904]

This is something I was wondering as well. It seems that you are required to be on the same Wifi network. For remote access one requires a different app.

Right.

I returned my Luna because of the inability to remote access (I knew this before buying) and more importantly the fact that luna cannot use the iPad built in on-screen keyboard. Having to be attached to a physical keyboard and having to enable auto login on the Mac Mini in a serious flaw.

Using macOS from my Mac Mini on my iPad looked really good via Luna but my personal use case is better suited for Jump Desktop.

Jump Desktop has remote access, uses the ipad on-screen keyboard, less expensive and doesn’t require me to disconnected my main monitor to use the iPad as the main screen w/ the dock.