Air Display 2 Review

Designed to increase users' daily productivity two-fold, Air Display 2 is the second iteration of Avatron's display extension app which has been designed to give users extra screen real-estate for the things they need to achieve on either a Mac or PC - and, compared to the first version, the app has come a considerable way.

Air Display 2 allows for the wireless mirroring of a user's display from a Mac or Windows computer to an iOS device. This means one can then use this second monitor to carry over stray control panels or other elements related to the app(s) they're currently working in - immediately freeing up screen real-estate on the primary monitor.

It's a super-simple app to setup. To get started all users need is the free host app - available from getairdisplay.com - and, AirDisplay 2. To drag a window to their second iOS monitor a user simply clicks and drags it to the outer regions of their primary display, and beyond. Air Display 2 creates an invisible region to the right of the user's primary display, and this goes beyond what they can see normally. To retrieve a window one has already placed the user simply has to drag it back to the primary monitor, using the mouse on the iOS monitor as their guide.

The app works on three gestures: Tapping once will select any item on screen, while using two fingers will allow users to scroll any menus or list of items they may have to wade through. Calling up the right-click menu requires three fingers, and is actioned by placing two fingers on-screen and using the third to tap once on the item. There's also an on-screen keyboard which can be called with a tap.

One potential use for the app could include the toolbar in Adobe Photoshop. I'm a graphic designer in my spare time, and one of the issues I tend to face is the fact that there are just too many on-screen panels and controls that I need and that are visible when working. From the layers panel to color palettes, paths, and more. I'm currently reorganizing my workspace, but when I get things back to how they were I'll definitely be adding Air Display 2 to my workflow.

There was one noticeable aspect regarding the way in which Air Display 2 handles the transfer of windows that I'd like to highlight. I'm not sure if this was simply because I was using the app on an iPad Mini, but Air Display 2 does not appear to carry the ability to automatically resize windows to the native height of the connected monitor. This means that, unless I'm overlooking something obvious, the user is currently required to resize large windows before they are taken over to the second monitor.

With that niggle likely to be rectified via an update though,Air Display 2 is a recommended tool for the home user who might be looking for a solid solution to extend their workflow. And with this new version featuring support for AirPlay for up to four additional displays simultaneously, the professional too.