Duet Display

Turn your iPad into a second Mac display

£11.99 Developer Rahul Dewan, duetdisplay.com

Works with iPhone, iPod touch, iPad Version 1.0.0

A second screen can be handy while mobile, either for monitoring your email at a busy time, or for extra tools in productivity or creative apps. This is where Duet Display comes in, letting you use an iPad as a wired extra monitor.

The requirements are simple: a Mac that can run OS X 10.9 or higher, and any iOS device that can run iOS 7 or higher (though an iPad is best). Grab the free utility from Duetdisplay.com and install it on your Mac, buy the app on your iPad, connect the devices, launch both apps and you’re ready to go, your iPad charging from your laptop as you work.

There’s effectively no display lag, as there can be with wireless alternatives, and while you can tap on items on your iPad screen, it’s much better as a display for static information you don’t need to interact with. Kelly Guimont

A useful portable productivity utility. Just be aware of its effect on laptop battery life.