Skip to content
Tech News
← Back to articles

I turned my Android tablet into a second monitor — and I can’t go back

read original get Duet Display for Android → more articles
Why This Matters

Transforming a tablet into a second monitor offers a portable, seamless workflow enhancement that mimics traditional dual-monitor setups. This approach is especially valuable for remote workers who need flexibility and mobility without sacrificing productivity. The use of apps like spacedesk makes this setup simple, affordable, and highly effective, signaling a shift towards more versatile workspace configurations.

Key Takeaways

Shimul Sood / Android Authority

I have been using a dual-monitor setup for almost a year now, and I am completely spoiled by it. Once you get used to having two screens side by side, the workflow feels incredibly seamless. Now, going back to a single-screen feels restrictive. So much so that using my Samsung Galaxy Book6 Pro in bed now somehow feels like a downgrade.

But remote work comes with its own reality: you can work from anywhere, which also means you’re constantly moving around. And as much as I love my desk setup, I obviously can’t carry two monitors everywhere I go. That’s really the only downside of the whole experience — it isn’t portable.

So I ended up finding a workaround. Whenever I travel, I still carry a dual-screen setup. It’s just that instead of two monitors, I use my laptop and tablet together. Funny enough, these devices mostly sit around at home otherwise, so this setup finally gives them a purpose while keeping my workflow intact on the move.

Do you use a dual-monitor setup for work? 37 votes Yes, and I can't imagine going back. 89 % I've tried it but prefer a single screen. 3 % No, but I want to. 8 % No, single screen works fine for me. 0 %

I thought this would be janky — it actually works brilliantly

Shimul Sood / Android Authority

I know what you’re probably thinking — how does a tablet even work as a second screen for a laptop? I had the exact same reaction at first. I assumed this would involve a mess of cables, lag, and one of those setup processes that makes you question your life choices halfway through. Instead, I had my tablet running as a second screen in just a few minutes, and it worked far more smoothly than I expected.

The trick here is an app called spacedesk. I installed it on my OnePlus Pad 4, and it essentially let the tablet act as an external display for my Windows laptop. On the laptop side, my Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Pro only needed a lightweight driver that creates a virtual display over the same Wi-Fi network. Once both devices were connected, the tablet simply mirrored that feed wirelessly.

Shimul Sood / Android Authority

... continue reading