Tablet devices often end up forgotten in a drawer, even though they still have a good screen and enough power. Instead of sitting unused, they can easily be turned into another computer monitor. Such a solution is practical for both work and play, whether it is used for office tasks, watching content while working on the main screen or even playing games with a larger display.
The basis of the whole idea is to stream the image from the computer to the tablet via a local network or cable. There are two main approaches. The first is system streaming, where the tablet functions as a classic additional screen of the operating system. The second is streaming intended for games, where the image is rendered on the computer, and the tablet serves as a client with minimal delay.
How the tablet becomes a second screen for the computer
For system streaming, the simplest solution is Spacedesk software, which is free and works with Windows computers and tablets on iOS and Android platforms. Latency is low enough for work, multimedia and simpler games. SuperDisplay is intended for Android tablet models, offers excellent image quality and support for e-pen, but it is paid. Duet Display is a stable and proven option for Windows and macOS, especially popular among users of Apple devices.
For gaming, Steam Link is the easiest choice for Steam users, as it’s free and supports controllers. Moonlight is ideal for Nvidia graphics card users and offers very little lag, even at high resolutions and refresh rates. Parsec is a flexible cross-platform solution and excels in very low-latency scenarios.
The setup is simple in practice. The appropriate server or driver is installed on the computer, and the application is installed on the tablet. When both devices are on the same network, the tablet is recognized as an additional screen and can be used in extended or clone image mode. For best results, a fast Wi-Fi network, preferably 5 GHz, or a wired connection when available, is recommended.
In real use, a tablet as a second screen opens up a number of new possibilities. It can serve as an auxiliary display for documentation, chat or tools, as a portable screen for working away from home or even as a gaming platform with a wireless controller. With minimal investment and a few minutes of setup, the tablet gets a completely new purpose and becomes a useful part of everyday work or entertainment.