Following a somewhat rocky, high-profile debut, the makers of Duet Display --Â an app that allows users to press their iPad into service as a secondary display for their Mac --Â have rolled out an impressive update that narrows the gap between a Duet-connected iPad and a traditional monitor.
Twin updates to Duet's iOS app and its OS X counterpart have brought a few new features, notably the ability to run the iPad in its native 2,048-pixel-by-1,536-pixel resolution and support for display mirroring. The biggest changes, however, are under the hood.
The latest versions have virtually eliminated the performance problems that AppleInsider noted when we reviewed the app last month. CPU usage, which could rise to more than 150 percent or more in "Retina" mode, now rarely eclipses one-third of that figure.
Lag issues have also all but disappeared, even when playing high-definition video content on the secondary display at full resolution. As before, we tested the update using an iPad Air 2 and a 15-inch Mid-2014 MacBook Pro with Retina display, outfitted with 16 gigabytes of RAM and a 2.5-gigahertz quad-core Intel Core i7.
A few troubles do remain; for instance, Duet still forces connected MacBooks into "Best (Retina)" display mode. Users can now change the laptop's resolution back after connecting the iPad, but it is a hit-and-miss affair, sometimes requiring multiple adjustments to make it work.
Overall, the latest updates for Duet furthers its lead over competitors and makes it a must-have for professionals who often travel with a laptop and find themselves in need of extra scree real estate. Even desk-bound users who do not want to incur the expense of a larger external monitor, or lack the space for such an addition, will now find Duet well worth its purchase price.
Duet Display version 1.0.0 is available now as a $14.99, 8.4-megabyte download from the App Store.