Duet Display has been transforming old iPads into fast MacBook displays for months now, but it’s turning its attention to the Windows world today. For just $9.99 you can download Duet and use an iPad as a monitor on a Windows PC. There’s no complex setup, and it’s really just plug and play to turn the iPad into a monitor.

Some limitations compared to the Mac version

I’ve experimented with Duet Display on Windows for a few hours today, and it largely works as you’d expect. It supports Windows 7 and Windows 8 machines, and you connect up to the iPad through the lightning connector. This is designed to reduce the latency, but I did notice on a couple of laptops that some apps were slow to respond on occasions using them on the iPad display. Since the iPad works as a monitor, Windows lets you extend or mirror itself onto the display.

I’ve used Duet on the MacBook, and the Windows version doesn’t feel as smooth. One drawback is the limitation of a 1024 x 768 resolution, as Windows detects the display as a generic plug-and-play monitor. That means it’s not great for viewing HD video. That said, it works the same way as the Mac version, and you can even use the touchscreen on the iPad to navigate around Windows and tap to click.

If you carry an iPad and a laptop around, then this could be a useful addition, but it’s also a good way to extend a desktop monitor setup with a touchscreen display flat on your desk or upright. Duet Display is available officially for Windows 7 and Windows 8 PCs today, and Windows 10 even appears to function just fine.